Critics have said they will make ink and paper books obsolete and put publishing companies out of business. But one local library is embracing the e-Reader and its members will soon be able to check one out just like any other book. Ryan Peterson has more.

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COHOES, N.Y. -- "People have been asking the last couple of months, when can we take them out? When can we take them out?" said Sukrit Goswami, the director of the Cohoes Public Library.

Over the summer he purchased two Barnes and Noble NOOKs, the popular eReader that was completely sold out over Christmas. The lightweight, portable little gadgets have only been available for use within the library's walls. But that will change beginning in March.

Goswami said, "On March 1st we will be taking the next step and loaning these to our patrons. Our plan is to loan them for a couple of weeks. I already have more than three or four people who have shown interest."

The two NOOKs Goswami bought are the original black and white, E Ink models. He plans to add the latest version, the NOOKcolor, to the library's circulation soon.

Goswami said, "If everything goes right and I am able to get these grants I'm aiming for, I will definitely add ten more by the end of this year."

Critics of eReaders have said that they're making books themselves obsolete. But what about the library? Believe it or not, these little guys are bringing in more foot traffic. In fact, there's already a waiting list to check them out.

Goswami said, "These things are actually giving us more traffic, and I think we are getting this population back to reading."

And Cohoes Library members agree.

"I think libraries are a huge asset to out communities," said Craig Abram. "They need to have whatever it takes to keep the people coming in."

The late fee for an overdue NOOK has got to be pretty steep, right? Goswami said the fee will be a dollar for each day the device is not returned, the same rate as overdue DVDs.

DVDs, by the way, end up not being returned quite frequently. Goswami has faith in his patrons and doesn't believe he'll lose a single NOOK.