eBooks and downloadable audiobooks available for longer

In response to customer demand, Hastings District and Napier City Libraries are increasing the loan period for their ePukapuka Digital Library eBooks and audiobooks.

Hastings District Libraries’ Manager Paula Murdoch says ePukapuka will be offering the choice of either a 7 or 14 day loan period on eBooks and downloadable audiobooks from Saturday September 1st 2012. “The current shorter loan period was trialled, so that the collection could be quickly shared across the largest eBook consortium in New Zealand.”

Napier Libraries Manager Sheryl Reed says that the collection has increased to include over 1650 titles and is growing all the time. “We are now able to offer the longer loan period users have been asking for,” Sheryl said. “eBooks have proven to be very popular, particularly as they are available anywhere, anytime.”

ePukapuka, the Lower North Island Digital Library Group, is a consortium of 15 public library districts sharing resources to provide for their communities.

Paula Murdoch says this service would not have been available if public libraries hadn’t been able to pool their resources. “Other content options may be investigated in the future, such as books by New Zealand authors and possibly even music.”

eBooks can be downloaded from the libraries’ websites to a computer, iPad, mobile phone or other e-reading device, while audiobooks are talking books that can be downloaded to a computer, iPod or other compatible device with audio capability.

“Demand for the libraries’ IT support classes, particularly on ebook-related topics has been growing steadily since the launch of ePukapuka,” Paula says.

For anyone wanting to access library eBooks, there is a wealth of information available on libraries’ websites to help customers choose the right device.

You can find out more about eBooks and audiobooks from your local library or at
www.hastingslibrary.co.nz/ebooks and www.library.napier.govt.nz

Media note:

ePukapuka includes the following libraries: Hastings, Napier, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, Kapiti, Porirua, Manawatu, Palmerston North, Masterton, Stratford, Wanganui, New Plymouth, Rangitikei, Carterton and South Wairarapa.