Your Hays Public Library has a variety of books written by science fiction writer Ursula K. Le Guin. The author was perusing the Web site Scribd last month when she came across digital copies of some books that seemed quite familiar to her. It is no wonder. She wrote them, including a free-for-the-taking copy of one of her most enduring novels, "The Left Hand of Darkness."

According to the New York Times, neither Le Guin nor her publisher had authorized the electronic editions. To Le Guin, it was a rude introduction to the quietly proliferating problem of digital piracy in the literary world.

"I thought, who do these people think they are?" Le Guin told the Times. "Why do they think they can violate my copyright and get away with it?"

This would all sound familiar to filmmakers and musicians who fought similar battles -- with varying degrees of success -- during the last decade. However, to authors and their publishers in the age of Kindle, it is new and frightening territory.

Until recently, publishers believed books were relatively safe from piracy because it was so labor-intensive to scan each page to convert a book to a digital file. What's more, reading books on the computer was relatively unappealing compared with a printed version.

Now, with publishers producing more digital editions, it is potentially easier for hackers to copy files. In addition, the growing popularity of electronic reading devices like the Kindle from Amazon or the Reader from Sony make it easier to read in digital form. Many of the unauthorized editions are uploaded as PDFs, which easily can be e-mailed to a Kindle or Sony device.

Stop by the library this week and check out one of Le Guin's book from the shelf or on one of our computers.

For more information on activities at your Hays Public Library this week, click on our Web site www.hayspublib.org.

Special Music

Western Kansas

String Academy

Join the WKSA for the first of two summer concerts in the children's department. The 10 a.m. Friday concert features the WKSA fiddling group.

Dan Bliss

At 2 p.m. Saturday, guitarist Dan Bliss will perform in the library gallery. Please join us for this free concert.

Friends of the

Hays Public Library

Bookstore

Books, Etc, the bookstore of the Friends of the Hays Public Library, is open from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Members of the Friends continue to receive a 10-percent discount on all book purchases from the store.

Children's department

County fair craft time

Enrollment will be limited to 20 per session. Enroll at the children's desk. At 2 p.m. Monday, join us for fiesta tambourine.

Summer story hours

Story hours will be in the children's department through July 30. Story hours

* 3- to 6-year-olds: 10 to 10:30 a.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

* 2-year-olds: 10:45 to 11:05 a.m. Mondays and Tuesdays.

* Toddlers -- younger than 2: 10:45 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays.

Parents need to select the day and time of the story hours they wish to enroll their children in. Enroll at the library or call (785) 625-5916. Limit of 25 per hour.

Book In a Bag

At 2 p.m. Tuesday, join us for, "A piece of cake."

Tuesday afternoons

at the library

Join us at 4 p.m. for a fun movie and a snack. You must register to attend. Limit of 25.

Youth bingo

Children can come to the library to play bingo from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday. Prizes are given to the winner of each game.

Children's signing time

Join us at 10:45 a.m. Thursdays in June. Parents must attend with child. Register to attend.

Special events

Join us at 2 p.m. Friday for Dan Dan the Magic Man.

Adult department

Feed and Film

The films begin at 12:05 p.m. Wednesdays in the library's main floor gallery. They last about an hour. Bring your lunch and a cup -- coffee is provided. This week, join us for "Portage Glacier."

Western Kansas

Vegetarian Society

At 11 a.m. Saturday in the library gallery, join us for "Combining Foods: The Best and Worst."

YA department

All programs are free and for anyone grades six through 12. For more information, call (785) 625-9014.

Weekly programs

All start at 3:30 p.m.

* Mondays -- STAGE Drama Club, board games and snacks.

* PS2 and Wii Tuesdays.

* Wavering Wednesdays -- something different each week.

* Make and Take Thursdays -- crafts and more.

* Friday -- movies and snacks.

Kansas Room

The book display in June feature farm machinery. The display cases include farm photographs and farm machinery.

Eric Norris is the adult department librarian at the

Hays Public Library.