Waipā District Libraries provides free access to eBooks during lockdown

Waipā District Libraries are making electronic resources freely available to help make isolation requirements more bearable. Photo / Supplied

Waipā residents searching for a good book to read over the next four weeks will now have free access to adult and children's eBooks and eAudiobooks.

Waipā District Libraries has removed fees on its electronic resources, or e-resources, for the duration of the nationwide lockdown in an effort to help make isolation restrictions more bearable.

Cambridge and Te Awamutu libraries closed their doors on Monday, March 23 to minimise close contact between people as the country battles against Covid-19.

Both libraries will remain shut until further notice.

Waipā District Council community services manager, Sally Sheedy, said the usual charge for eBooks was .50c and eAudiobooks $2.

"Right now our community is faced with a period of uncertainty and worry, so we are doing anything we can to make this time a little bit easier," says Sally.

"Books are essential for many people and this way, residents are still able to access our collection from home."

eBooks can be accessed through the eBook catalogue on the libraries website or via the direct link waipalibraries.org.nz/your-library/eplatform/

Library users can also download the Wheelers ePlatform app and log in with their library card number and pin number. Items will be issued for a period of three weeks.

Sally says library users who were unsure of how to access the resources could watch a Facebook video on the libraries Facebook page, which explained how to download an e-resource.

"The majority of our library users borrow physical copies of our books and may not be use to accessing them online. In order to show everyone how to use these resources we've created a handy 'how to use' video," says Sally.

Anyone who still had physical copies of library books needed to keep hold of them until libraries re-opened their doors.

"All fees and overdue charges accrued due to the lockdown will be waived, so residents don't need to worry about fines. This is to keep our staff safe and reduce any possible exposure to Covid-19," says Sally.

Residents wanting to become library members can email waipalibraries@waipadc.govt.nz with their details, address, phone number, email address and a membership will be created for them.

For more information head to waipalibraries.org.nz or facebook.com/waipadistrictlibraries.