EBOOKS and audio ebooks are proving popular at the Henry Bloom Noble Library in Douglas.

The download service was launched in May to coincide with the library's new website and more than 600 are available.

Borough librarian Jan Macartney said: "eBooks are being very well received, attracting new members to the library, not only from within the Borough of Douglas but also Island-wide.

"eBooks and audio eBooks serve as a '24/7' library that complements our existing services.

"The bespoke software is by leading digital distributor OverDrive and with the exception, currently at least, of Amazon’s Kindle, supports every major mobile and desktop operating system, including Windows, Mac, iPad/iPhone (iOS), Android and BlackBerry.

"eBooks have the power to transform access to a far wider choice of books for people with sight problems and are great for busy people on the move.

"The benefits of eBooks are many, not least their compactness, especially at this time of the year, for while there will always be room in this world for books, there may not always be room in people's suitcases when they go away on holiday."

For further details see http://library.douglas.gov.im/