Infoshare libraries launch free e-audiobook collection

Members of libraries in Rotorua, Whakatane and Western Bay of Plenty now have another reading option available to them with the launch of a collaborative e-audiobook collection.

Popular book titles can be downloaded free of charge at home to any MP3 compatible device.

Rotorua District Librry manager Jane Gilbert says the selected e-audiobook is 'checked out' to a borrower, much the same as a normal library transaction and 'checked in' after a set period, making it available to other borrowers again.
She said titles can be reserved and there are no overdue charges.

"Audiobooks used to be the domain of young children, the elderly, or the blind but increasingly people of all ages and walks of life take advantage of this format to 'experience' a book," says Mrs Gilbert.

"The convenience of downloading these books to your own device is just really what society expects these days. We're very pleased to be able to offer this latest service."

The initial collection is a mix of 622 fiction and non-fiction, children's, young adults and adult titles but this is expected to increase relative to demand. Customers can go to their library's online catalogue and look for the E-audiobooks tab on the menu.

InfoShare is a partnership between Rotorua, Western Bay of Plenty and Whakatane libraries which allows for collaborative purchasing, resource and information sharing. Already savings have been made in the collective purchase and maintenance of a library management system, and, earlier in the year, the start of the collaborative purchase of adult fiction books. Now, utilising this partnership, the libraries are able to offer their library members the option to download e-audio books.

Click here to view Rotorua District Library's e-book collection