FREDERICTON (GNB) – The New Brunswick Public Library Service has received a donation of $100,000 to purchase new eBooks and downloadable audio books from the New Brunswick Public Libraries Foundation.

“This gift allows our public libraries to offer the most up-to-date electronic resources to New Brunswickers,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Danny Soucy.  “This collection enables the growing number of those who read using mobile devices to access new titles as well as eBooks and audio books already in demand.”

The Electronic Library New Brunswick was created in 2010 and has been growing in popularity ever since. This gift is the largest allocation the foundation has made to the electronic library and will enable it to augment the collection by about 4,000 titles.

“The foundation saw how popular the electronic library has become and realized that this was an opportunity to support the virtual collection at its busiest time of the year,” said Brian Hudson, chair of the New Brunswick Public Libraries Foundation. “The gift is in keeping with the foundation's vision to support the development and delivery of high quality public library service for New Brunswickers.”

In 2011, the two busiest days of the year for the electronic library were Christmas and Boxing Day, during which more than 600 titles were checked out. The library service attributed the rise to the many people who received eReaders and other mobile devices for Christmas. This year, more than 1,000 titles are expected to be borrowed between Dec. 24 and 26.

“With this generous donation, more than 13,000 electronic resources will be available for this Christmas season,” said Soucy, “Increasing our collection and modernizing our services is one way we are supporting lifelong learning and enhancing the quality of life for New Brunwickers.”

Individuals who do not have a library card may get one for free at any public library or bookmobile, or order one from the website.

LINK:

●    New Brunswick Public Library Service


10-12-12