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E-book lending period doubled

Wednesday 5 September 2012, 4:11AM

By Hutt City Council

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LOWER HUTT

Hutt City Council libraries have doubled the lending period for e-books and downloadable audiobooks.

From September 1, borrowers can take such items for 14 days.

The council’s eight Hutt libraries are part of a group of 15 public library districts that share e-books and downloadable audiobooks to provide users with a greater range of reading and listening material.

Council libraries manager Sandra Mann says demand for e-books has risen by 50 per cent – from 2,000 to 3,000 a month since the start of the year – but the group’s collection has risen by 950 items to 1,650 during the same period.

“E-books have proved to be very popular, and one reason – quite apart from their convenient format – is that they are available anywhere, anytime,” Sandra says.

Borrowers can download e-books from participating library websites using their computer, iPad, mobile phone or other e-reading device. Audiobooks can be downloaded to a computer, iPod or other compatible device with audio capability.

Libraries participating in ePukapuka, the Lower North Island Digital Library Group, include Hastings, Napier, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, Kapiti, Porirua, Manawatu, Palmerston North, Masterton, Stratford, Wanganui, New Plymouth, Rangitikei, Carterton and South Wairarapa.

To learn more visit your local library or go to library.huttcity.govt.nz.