by the Rt Hon Lord Provost Frank Ross
Edinburgh’s public libraries may have been serving the capital since 1890, but things have moved on dramatically since then! The city now has one of the best downloadable library services in the UK with ebooks, audiobooks, newspapers and magazines all available for free to library members.
Library2go is Edinburgh’s Digital Library Service and it has thousands of ebooks for adults, teens and children which can be accessed through OverDrive on your tablet, phone or computer. These cover a range of books from fiction by best-selling authors to non-fiction such as travel, self-help and cookery books. These are perfect for holidays as you can borrow ten at a time and while you are abroad you can top up your reading by downloading more.
Audiobooks are becoming increasingly popular and there’s something for everyone with Edinburgh’s four audiobook services. Whether you are commuting, at the gym, doing the gardening or housework, audiobooks will help make it more enjoyable. If you have eyesight problems, they will also enable you to continue to keep reading.
Access your daily news on PressReader, which offers over 6000 worldwide newspapers and magazines on your phone, tablet or computer. Get papers such as the The Edinburgh Reporter, The Edinburgh Evening News, The Scotsman and Herald before they have even reached the newsagents.
You’ll find over 150 UK newspapers on the app and if you want to read from further afield there are publications from 100 countries. There is a great selection of best-selling British magazines on RBdigital, with titles ranging from Hello!and Auto Express to Amateur Photographer and New Scientist you’ll be spoilt for choice. Download unlimited magazines and keep them forever.
All you need to access the Library2go services is an Edinburgh Libraries membership. If you are not yet a member, then join online.
Full information about how to get started using downloadable services can be found at the Your Library website. Get further help at weekly drop-in sessions in Central Library or get in touch with the Digital Team on 0131 242 8047 or informationdigital@edinburgh.gov.uk.
