6 Dec 2014

Ebook issues double in NZ libraries

4:53 pm on 6 December 2014

Twice as many ebooks were issued from public libraries last year than the year before, while overall borrowing waned slightly.

The number of people issuing ebooks doubled last year.

The number of people issuing ebooks doubled last year. Photo: AFP

More than 800,000 ebooks were borrowed from library databases in 2013, up from about 350,000 in 2012.

Meanwhile, the total number of books issued fell by four percent to just over 48 million.

Executive director of Public Libraries New Zealand Tim Antric said despite the popularity of ebooks, a market would always exist for traditional printed books.

"There's a comfort in sitting down and reading a traditional book, even if we look at kids today there's still a passion for that paper book.

"That sitting down and reading with mum, that taking off and reading a book on my own."

Mr Antric said more people than ever were going to libraries, with more than 37 million visits recorded last year.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs