New and existing members enjoy the online library service
Thousands of people are enjoying Herefordshire’s online library service, with over 150 new members joining in the past three weeks alone as they look to read and learn new skills during self-isolation and social distancing.
The most popular service is the BorrowBox eBook and eAudio app, which has recently expanded its content. There are thousands of titles available for free, including the latest fiction and non-fiction bestsellers and children’s books. Since library buildings closed due to COVID-19, the number of people using this service has increased by over 50% as they carry on using the library from home. There is also a Facebook-based reading group which is a great way of joining a reading community– follow @HfdsLibraries on Facebook for details.
New to the online service is the library edition of Ancestry.co.uk which until now was only available in libraries and archives. This offers information for family history researchers, including census records, births, marriages and deaths, military records all for free.
There is also a new list of free online resources for families that has been compiled by librarians to help with reading, rhyme and to support learning from home. Older teenagers and learner drivers might like to spend their spare time on Theory Test Pro, to enhance their knowledge and practice until driving theory tests become available again.
Councillor Gemma Davies, Cabinet Member for commissioning, procurement and assets, said:
“I’m so impressed with our cultural services ability to adapt to the ever changing circumstances that we are finding ourselves in. The response to our new online services, including the fantastic access to Ancestry.co.uk shows the essential part that cultural services plays in the health and wellbeing of our residents, especially for those who are socially isolated. I would like to extend a big welcome to all new users, I hope you get as much pleasure from our services as I do.”
To find out more about the resources available, and how to join if you are not already a member, please see the library section of the Herefordshire Council website www.herefordshire.gov.uk/libraries