New eBook service for Wiltshire (From Salisbury Journal)

New eBook service for Wiltshire

4:40pm Tuesday 21st February 2012 in News By Morwenna Blake

LIBRARY users will have access to books day and night as an exciting new service is launched in Wiltshire today.

Following demand from customers, Wiltshire Council has unveiled a new eBook lending service which will allow books to be downloaded, with an initial selection of 1,500 works.

Titles available include popular novels for adults, as well as plenty of crime, a selection of books for children and teenagers, and non-fiction for adults including travel guides and cookery and gardening books.

Customers, using their library card number and PIN, can download up to three books at a time by visiting wiltshire.lib.overdrive.com.

The downloaded books can be read on a PC, laptop, some mobile phones and dedicated eReaders, and are in the industry standard EPUB or PDF formats.

Instead of having a due date the downloaded book will expire after the loan period has finished. Any eBooks borrowed will not count towards people’s borrowing limit on their library card.

Cabinet member for libraries Stuart Wheeler said: “We have listened to what our library users want and are delighted to offer this new service.

“We now live in an age where some people like to access information through a variety of different ways. This service will really complement and enhance the traditional library service we provide.”