Libraries are not just about books anymore

Marlborough District Libraries – at both Blenheim and Picton - offer many free resources and services as well as lending books.

Recently, the libraries have introduced eBooks and eAudiobooks.

The libraries provide access to this collection through a South Island Library consortia to which Marlborough belongs, ‘South Island Downloadable Zone’, and new eBooks are becoming available each month.

Recent eBooks include:

• "A wedding quilt for Ella" by Jerry S. Eicher
• "The Poet" by Michael Connelly
• "Thai cooking made simple"

Recent eAudiobooks include:

• "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
• " Kisscut" by Karin Slaughter
• "Charlotte Gray" by Sebastian Faulks

These can be downloaded to your personal device for loan periods of one, two or three weeks.

Like most other libraries in New Zealand, Marlborough District Libraries does charge for some of the resources in its collection. Even though this generates only a small amount of revenue, it does help offset library operating costs. As well as music CDs, DVDs and MP3 talking books, some fiction titles carry a small rental charge. These fiction titles are usually the high-demand titles.

And, for a small booking fee, library users can use the request service – the best way to get the new releases when they’re in hot demand.

Next month, the libraries at Blenheim and Picton will hold workshops on the electronic resources available at the library.

• Learn more about eBooks on Friday 7 September, 10.00 am – 11.00 am. Bookings essential.

There will be other opportunities to learn about the electronic resources available at your library:

Register at Marlborough District Library, Ph: 03 520 7491 or Picton Library, Ph: 03 520 7493

Celebrating Adult Learners' Week (3 - 9 September)