More than 700 eBook titles can now be downloaded for
free by anyone with a PC or laptop with a compatible portable
device thanks to a new pilot service being launched through
public libraries in the region.
The new service is being launched as part of a week long UK-wide
celebration of libraries leading up to National Libraries Day
on 4 February.
Although the service is not compatible with the Kindle it can be
used with a number of other leading products such as the Sony
Reader, Kobo, Nook, iPad, iPhone and Android
devices.
Library members can choose titles they wish to read, and
download them for up to 21 days each by visiting
www.librarieswest.org.uk.
All titles can be borrowed and reserved for free, and loans
automatically expire so there are no overdue charges to worry
about. The service is free to all current library members across
the five authorities in the LibrariesWest
consortium.
New eBooks are being added to the collection all the time, and
while many titles are not yet available for loan through public
libraries the new service offers a range of great books, among them
bestselling autobiographies by Stephen Fry, Dawn French and Michael
McIntyre, and popular novelists such as Jonathan Kellerman, Nicci
French and Lynda La Plante.
The collection also includes titles across a range of popular
genres including travel, computing, gardening and crafts.
National Libraries Day takes place on Saturday 4
February and is a national day across the United Kingdom to
celebrate all libraries. Come along to any North Somerset library
to see what your local library has to offer! It’s easy and free to
join the library.
For one day only on Saturday 4 February anyone with a
valid North Somerset or LibrariesWest library card visiting a North
Somerset library can reserve a maximum of four items in
LibrariesWest free of charge. On this day they can also borrow two
DVDs for one week for the price of one (excluding premium DVDs).
Terms and conditions apply to these offers.
Ask the Enquiry Centre a question from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 4
February to have the opportunity to be entered into a prize draw to
win an Amazon voucher. The Enquiry Centre can help with any
niggling question to which you can’t find the answer such as you
want to find a poem but can only remember a couple of lines.
The Enquiry Centre can be contacted by visiting your local library,
ringing 01934 888 855 or emailing
answers@n-somerset.gov.uk.
The Bookstart Bear Club for pre-school children will also be
launched at all libraries in North Somerset open on National
Libraries Day. All children joining the club receive a pack
containing a certificate, bookmark, door hanger and a special
passport to collect stamps each time they visit the library. To
celebrate this launch there will be a story time at Clevedon
Library at 11am on 4 February for children of pre-school
age and a Rhymetime for children up to the age of three at Weston
Library at 2.30pm. All children need to be accompanied by a parent
or carer and places at the events need to be booked in advance by
contacting Clevedon Library on 01934 426 020 and Weston Library on
01934 426 010.
Libraries also offer many other free books, resources and
activities throughout the year.
Visit
www.n-somerset.gov.uk/libraries
for more information or contact 01934 426 010. You can find out
more about National Libraries Day at
www.nationallibrariesday.org.uk
