Digital library services in Leicestershire are seeing a demand during the coronavirus lockdown – and the county council is to purchase additional eBooks and eAudiobooks to keep up with it.
For every month which libraries remain closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, around 700 new titles and additional copies will be added to the collection for adults, young adults and children to access.
That means that, as well as expanding the selection, it also reduces the waiting times for the most sought-after items.
Latest figures, over the past two months, show there's been a 12 per cent increase in digital loans, a 35 per cent rise in eBook loans, and Borrowbox eBooks and eAudiobooks' users have gone up by 20 per cent.
With library sites closed across the county to protect public safety, library members can access thousands of digital books, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers for free through their phones, tablets or computers. The digital titles also offer a personalised and accessible experience with options for font sizes, translation and voice-overs.
It's very important that we stay safe and stay at home to protect others and the NHS. I would encourage anyone to find out more. That could be a new member or those people who had visited a library but hadn't signed up for the digital offer
Person:Councillor Richard Blunt, county council cabinet member for librariesTo start using the digital library, visit: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/digital-library
For help with the service or if you have any questions, please call 0116 305 2695 or email libraries@leics.gov.uk