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Access to culture at your fingertips with new digital library service

23.03.2016

A new digital library service has been launched by the Welsh Government allowing people to download e-books, e-magazine, e-audiobooks and much more wherever and whenever they want.
 
A wide range of digital resources are available on the Welsh Libraries website and can be accessed for free by anyone who is a member of their local library service and has a library card.
 
Announcing the new service, the Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Ken Skates said:
 
“This is a great example of how we are supporting library services to adapt to meet the needs of modern customers and attract new users. I would encourage people to visit the website, see what’s available, and start to make the most of the culture and resources available at your fingertips.”
 
The digital service has been developed with the National Library of Wales and local authorities. It also grants access to the National Library of Wales’ digital services, including online newspapers, journals and reference material, which can be accessed remotely by anyone who is a National Library of Wales member.
 
Linda Tomos, National Librarian said:
 
“I’m delighted that the National Library Wales is working with the Welsh Government and Welsh libraries to provide digital access to library services. We need to be available to our users at a time and place which suits them.”
 
In additional to the digital books and magazines, the digital library service also has an all-Wales catalogue search, so you can look for a book in any library in Wales, as well as join your local library online if you are not already a member.

Further Information

Elin-Hâf 01970 632471 or post@llgc.org.uk

Notes to Editors

Welsh Libraries website available at www.libraries.wales and www.llyfrgelloedd.cymru
 
There are two authorities who currently do not provide access to the e-books (Newport – which has a subscription to another e-book service and Blaenau Gwent) and one authority which currently does not provide access to the e-audio books (Torfaen).
 
People can join the National Library of Wales online to have remote access membership as long as they have a Welsh postcode.
 
Did you know?

  • Over 25,000 e-books titles are available from Welsh Libraries
  • There are over 200 top e-zine titles
  • Over 155,000 e-zine downloads in 2015, saving people in Wales approximately £310,000
  • Over 4000 e-audio books
  • 3778 PCs in libraries across Wales
  • Over 1.6 million searches using Ancestry and Find My Past library editions in 2015
  • 725,000 pages from Welsh newspapers dating back to 1910
  • Free online dictionaries