An innovative new service that gives borrowers the chance to listen to their favourite bestsellers on the summer holiday beach has proved a terrific success.
Swansea Council’s library service was one of the first in the UK to launch its downloadable books initiative in April.
And people have been signing up in their hundreds to the opportunity to read the likes of Dan Brown, Scott Quinnell and Hilary Mantel free at the click of a mouse.
In just three months more than 500 people have been to their local library to sign up to the services. It means book fans in Swansea can now listen to their favourite titles on their computers, MP3 players, iPods or other portable media gadgets.
Steve Hardman, Library Services Manager said: “It’s the perfect way to take your favourite reads on holiday without having to create space in your suitcase or even having to hold the book open on the beach. You can download the book on to your MP3 player before you go and just lie back and enjoy the words.
New books added to the list of online titles added this month include Body Surfing by Anita Shreve and Whoops by John Lanchester. New for August will be Will Self’s The But and Dead Like You by Peter James.
Online audio books work exactly the same way as ordinary library books. They are free, unabridged and they expire after three weeks. They can be downloaded or renewed at any time.
For more information and to register for this new service, go to www.swansea.gov.uk/libraries, contact them on (01792) 646363 or visit your local library.
