Big Jump in use of eBooks and eAudio

Just one week after closing their doors due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the South Taranaki District Council (STDC) LibraryPlus have seen a 26% increase in the use of eBooks and eAudio.

STDC Libraries and Cultural Services Manager Cath Sheard says, “I’ve always known we’re a district of readers and this confirms that nothing gets between our residents and a good book, not even a pandemic.”

Cath says the LibraryPlus offers a wide range of eBooks and eAudio; “If you already have a current library membership you can download the Libby by Overdrive and BorrowBox apps to start reading and listening straight away. If people would like more information or need to start or renew their membership details they can email librarycontact@stdc.govt,nz or phone 0800 111 323 and talk to a librarian or contact us via the South Taranaki LibraryPlus Facebook page.”

LibraryPlus staff have been working to increase their virtual offerings so they stay connected with their users, and provide information and entertainment for residents. Starting in the next day or two, there will be pre-schooler story time videos on the blog and Facebook, science experiments and cooking for primary aged children, live shared reading events for adults, and much more.

“The lockdown is obviously a really difficult time for everyone and we hope that, like our physical sites, our online presence helps people feel a little less isolated,” says Cath.