November 14th, 2011

Ebooks and audiobooks now available from your local library

Hastings District and Napier Libraries are part of the newly-formed Lower North Island Digital Library Group, ePukapuka, which is offering e-books and audiobooks to readers.

E-books can be downloaded for free from the libraries' websites to a computer, iPad, mobile phone or an eReading device, while audiobooks are talking books that can be downloaded to a computer, iPod or other compatible device with audio capability.

Hastings District Libraries Manager Paula Murdoch says "Staff are thrilled with this latest service, as it complements the range of existing services offered both onsite and online for everyone's convenience. E-books and audiobooks are a great way of making reading material available 24/7 to our community."

For anyone wanting to access library e-books, there is a wealth of information available on both libraries' websites to help customers choose the right device.

Napier Libraries Manager, Sheryl Reed, advises customers not to rush out and buy something new. "Many customers will be able to download e-books and audiobooks to the computer or other compatible device they already own, without having to go and buy anything special. But we are encouraging our eReading public to check our website for compatibility information first, if they do choose to buy."

The Lower North Island Digital Library Group is a consortium of 15 public libraries known as ePukapuka, formed to give readers access to more content using combined purchasing power. ePukapuka provides access to several hundred titles, mainly e-books, with some audiobooks; and more content is being added regularly. At this stage the libraries will not be making video or music files available because of licensing issues for the New Zealand market.

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

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.

For more information visit www.hastingslibrary.co.nz
www.facebook.com/hdlibraries

ENDS

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