CloudLibrary gives library users access to more than 200,000 book titles, which is a major upgrade from the 11,500 titles to which they previously had access through the BorrowBox and Libby platforms.
Shepparton Library manager Corrinne Hills said the launch of cloudLibrary would prove helpful for many people.
“A lot of guys that work on headers and tractors, going around in circles all day, they go through a lot of audiobooks,” she said.
“A lot of truck drivers like audiobooks as well.
“There's a lot of people out there that are using them, as well as people who are losing their sight. And a lot of kids, they like the audio books as well.
“So very broad spectrum, but it’s for everyone.
"Also good for students in that if they're studying at home with COVID restrictions, they have the opportunity to be able to borrow from home and not have to visit a physical library.”
Due to the rising popularity of audiobooks and e-books, this move has been in the works for a while according to Goulburn Valley Libraries chief executive Kevin Preece.
“We have had tremendous growth in the use of our e-book and audiobook collections over the last few years as more and more people discover the ease of accessing and downloading books from our online collections,” he said.
Ms Hills agreed and said COVID-19 definitely helped in moving the initiative along.
“We've been moving to online for some years ... I think circumstances, as well as a generational thing, is why people are already using online as they’re getting older and taking up these ‘e’ options,” she said.
“But it's also just circumstantial with the timing of COVID that just makes it an easier option, a better option.”
The cloudLibrary app allows patrons to borrow e-books and audiobooks, save and mark their favourites and add to reading lists, as well as easily swap between devices and family member cards.
CloudLibrary audio books are free to access and available on any device through the cloudLibrary app for Goulburn Valley Libraries members.
Membership is free and available at all Goulburn Valley Libraries branches. For more information, go to the Goulburn Valley Libraries website or drop into your local library.
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