Yesterday (Monday February 22nd) the atmosphere at Newcastle’s City Library was sky high as library users were able to download the very latest eBooks and eAudiobooks with the installation of a brand new Cloud Library.
The City Library is one of six libraries nationwide that are introducing this online service. The other regions include Richmond upon Thames, Suffolk, Slough, Shropshire and Stoke-on-Trent with the equipment and software being provided by Bibliotheca.
The installation of the Cloud Library is in response to the popularity and continuing upward trend of Newcastle Libraries customers borrowing eBooks and eAudiobooks. The figures talk for themselves with a 12.24% increase of eBooks and eAudiobooks being borrowed between 2014 and 2015 (19,438 in 2014 compared with 21,818 in 2015).
Councillor David Stockdale, cabinet member for communities and facilities at Newcastle City Council, said: “The success of modern day libraries is all about being able to move with the times and providing people with services they are interested in using. The world of eBooks has really captured the imagination of readers and we are reflecting this need at Newcastle Libraries. This will hopefully increase the profile of our local libraries and bring to people’s attention the other qualities our libraries have to offer.”
The technology is coming to the UK following successful launches in the US and Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The Cloud Library can be accessed by library users online, at a Discovery Station, or through many popular devices, including iOS and Android, via the easy-to-use app.
People will be able to browse an array of titles, old and new, from some of the literary world’s leading authors and publishing houses…all at their own leisure!
Chris Millican, Bibliotheca UK’s Commercial Manager, said: “The Cloud Library has been the premier method for eBook lending in the US and Canada for the past four years, with the recent enhancement to provide audiobooks as well. It’s now time for UK libraries to experience the best in class library e-lending solution available. Cloud Library has proven to be a favourite for US and CA library users, with reviews and rankings proving how simple, convenient and enjoyable the entire experience is. With no complicated Digital Rights Management, library staff will experience fewer support queries and a higher rate of collection circulation.”
The new “Cloud Library” digital discovery station can be found on Level 3 of Newcastle’s City Library; and further information about Newcastle Libraries can be found in the ‘Libraries’ section of www.newcastle.gov.uk
This all comes at a great time as on Thursday 3rd March it is ‘World Book Day’ so why not mark that global occasion by visiting your local library, in person or online!