In sign of the times, digital bookmobile to make stops in the state

By Sarah N. Mattero, Globe Correspondent

A high-tech update of the traditional bookmobile is rolling into town.

The Digital Bookmobile National Tour is making five stops throughout Massachusetts this month, offering not books but interactive demonstrations for readers on how to download digital books from their public library, the bookmobile operator said in a statement.

Visitors to the 18-wheel tractor-trailer will discover how their portable electronic devices are compatible with their local library’s download service. The 74-foot vehicle is equipped with Internet-connected PCs, high-definition monitors, premium sound systems, and a variety of media players.

The Digital Bookmobile provides learning stations to give visitors an opportunity to search a library’s “virtual branch” or digital media collection with various media devices that will allow them to access ebooks, audio books, music, and video, said OverDrive Inc., the bookmobile operator.

The bookmobile will be traveling to libraries in Pittsfield, Belchertown, and Townsend from Aug. 16 to Aug. 18 and visit Mashpee on Aug. 20 and 21.

The bookmobile is invited by public libraries who want to to promote their online offerings. Cleveland-based OverDrive is a digital distributor of content, whose customers include libraries and schools, according to its website.

More information about the tour can be found at www.digitalbookmobile.com.