In a culture flooded with new media, the printed word can seem almost quaint. But that doesn't mean the book is dead - especially at the Salem Public Library, where an innovative new audio and e-book system is transforming the way visitors access its collections.

The Salem Public Library's new media system got the rockstar presentation it deserves on April 14 at Lancaster Mall, where a 17-foot turquoise semi with a four-room, interactive multimedia presentation rolled in to show local people just how easy it is to download digital books from the library. Part of a road trip that will hit all who are part of the Oregon Digital Library Consortium, a network of libraries that share access to OverDrive - a media services provider that has been distributing digital content since 1986 - the truck highlights the ways in which libraries across the country are changing to reflect the habits of modern consumers.

Gone are the days when you even need to make the trip to the storied concrete fortress on South Liberty. Now, with a few clicks of a mouse and a decent processor, anyone with a library card can download e-books and audio books from a shared online content system.

"The marvelous thing about digital books is how transportable they are," said Sonja Somerville, Salem Public Library Community Relations Coordinator. "They are really for people on the go."

The Salem Public Library added e-books and audio books to its collections a few years ago, but much has changed since the technology has become more mainstream. Where once the library had a paltry few hundred titles, the system now has thousands of e-books and audio books on permanent e-reserve as part of its "Library2Go" program, many of them young adult fiction and bestsellers in adult fiction and nonfiction.

"If you were one of those early adopters who checked it out when we first had it, you probably weren't impressed," Somerville said. "But you will be now," she added.

Library patrons don't actually own the content they download, just as they don't own library books that they check out using traditional loan systems. All of the books come with a "living period" that expires at the end of the loan period. They check themselves back in automatically.

Patrons can "check out" the books in three easy steps. First, download free software from the consortium's safe "Library2Go" site. Second, activate the software. Finally, shop for and download books much like you would buy books from an online site. To participate in the program, patrons need a valid library card, Internet access, a computer or device that meets the system requirements for the types of digital materials you wish to check out, and the free software for the computer or device being used.

The library only has rights to distribute a certain number of digital books of a given title, so if you're waiting for a physical copy of Lisa See's Shanghai Girls at the library, you may find yourself waiting just as long for a digital copy.

But that's likely a rare occurrence with only the most popular new books. The system is a development in local library culture that makes 24-hour access possible.

"I work at the library, and even I've forgotten to bring home a book on CD for a long car trip," Somerville said. "Now I just download one at home to my MP3 player and hit the road."