E-AND-AUDIO BOOKS INCREASINGLY BEING SOUGHT TO HELP SOOTHE THE ANXIOUS OVER PANDEMIC WORRIES

NEW online library memberships have soared as Atherstone and its communities turn to a good book and relaxing music to "lift the spirits" during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Avid bookworms across the town and surrounding villages are opting for drama to help turn their minds away from the pandemic crisis.

With strict instructions to stay at home to prevent the spread of coronavirus, e-and-audio books are being increasingly sought to help soothe anxious minds in the district.

Despite all the area's council-owned library buildings closing following Government-imposed social distancing, services have seen a surge in requests for digital resources.

Parts of the country have recorded up to an eightfold rise in new users – with increases up to a third in loans and a fifth in reservations.

"There's nothing quite like a good book and some music to help lift your spirits or provide a bit of escapism – and Warwickshire's Virtual Library Service is available online 24/7," said an Atherstone Library and Information Centre spokeswoman.

As Warwickshire's chief librarian Ayub Khan told Nub News last month, signing up for the free service that provides eBooks, eAudiobooks, e-newspapers and e-magazines might be just the fillip for those having to deal with a period of enforced self-isolation.

The BorrowBox service has already proved to be extremely popular with Atherstone library service users since its launch last year.

It is continuously extending its range of exclusive authors and titles, with eAudiobook issues proving popular and eBook issues significantly increasing.

BorrowBox is "your library in one app" and it has already started to transform the way people use their local library services, enabling people to access library items whenever and wherever they are.

The app allows users to borrow for free and is available across most digital devices, including the iPad and Kindle Fire. All you need to access the service for free is your library card number and email address.

With coronavirus restrictions, home learning is a big priority at the moment and the Virtual Library Service team aims to help.

It has curated some home learning resources to keep children occupied and educated, including learning websites, online encyclopedias such as Encyclopedia Britannica, story times and creative activities.

And for adults needing to exercise their brain cells at home, there is digital training through Skillshare, an online learning community where you can acquire the latest skills in animation, illustration, 3D design, video making and more – and it is all delivered in bite size chunks.

Click here to find out how to access all these digital services.

A spokesman for the Local Government Association said: "The number of people registering to use digital library services has rocketed.

"Council libraries provide a vital service for residents and act as community hubs in normal times.

"Their online digital contribution has now become equally important as people turn to them as a way to help pass the time at home.

"Councils are doing everything they can to protect their residents' wellbeing during this difficult time.

"Extra funding would help libraries extend their licences and meet this growing demand."

The LGA wants the Government to provide £5 million to help libraries increase their digital lending capacities.

It is also asking for publishers of e-materials, in the short term, to be more flexible on prices to reflect the current need.

Independent libraries which do not offer e-books also reported an increase in the number of books people have borrowed.

Meanwhile, one of the UK's largest publishers – Penguin Random House – is offering free books to the communities most affected by the coronavirus crisis.

These include families on low incomes and older people facing isolation.

The company has teamed up with community platform Neighbourly to distribute the books, as well as grassroots groups that support older people facing social isolation.