Lockdown sees rise in digital borrowing - The Worcester Observer

Lockdown sees rise in digital borrowing

Ross Crawford 27th Apr, 2020   0

LOCAL libraries in Worcestershire have launched new digital services accessible for residents from the comfort of their own home.

Since libraries were closed across the county at the end of March, library members have downloaded 9,794 e-books and e-audiobooks – 111 per cent higher than the same period in 2019 – and 3,830 e-magazine, up 53.8 per cent on 2019 levels.

More than 500 new e-books and e-audiobooks are now available for customers to access, and online reference services such as Ancestry Genealogy Research are available from home for a limited period while libraries are closed.

New online library services can now be streamed from home, including Storytime and Rhyme Time sessions, poetry readings and Wacky Wednesday craft sessions.




Residents can also join new digital readers groups, adult learning classes, Lego clubs, computing and coding clubs and Minecraft challenges.

More new digital library services are being developed and library customers will soon be able to sign up to a virtual language café and receive help from library staff to get the most out of their digital devices.


To visit the new Digital Library Hub, please visit: www.worcestershire.gov.uk/DigitalLibraryHub.

Anyone who is not a library member can join instantly by applying for a digital membership through worcestershire.gov.uk.

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