Staffordshire libraries thrive as e-book use increases

Libraries in Staffordshire are thriving – thanks to the introduction of e-books. The number of readers using the new service has more than doubled in the past two months.

County council chiefs say e-books, which are downloaded from the internet, are changing the way people think about libraries. Free wi-fi access has been introduced in all the county's main libraries, and the e-book service offers more than 1,000 titles. The situation in Staffordshire is bucking a trend which has seen libraries all over the UK closing.

The e-books can be downloaded to borrowers' computers or personal e-readers, with the current exception of Amazon Kindles.

County Councillor Pat Corfield, cabinet member for culture, said that presently more than 40 per cent of e-titles are downloaded outside library opening hours.

The authority was committed to providing 21st century libraries and being at the forefront of new technology, he added.