Toronto Public Library (TPL) has launched an advertising campaign to inform people about its selection of current, popular and free e-books and e-magazines available at tpl.ca/ereads. Commuters will see ads promoting TPL's e-books and e-magazines on subways, streetcars and outdoor shelters. This is part of a long-term strategy to increase awareness of e-content.
A recent survey found that 48 per cent of library users and 24 per cent of non-users are aware TPL offers e-books. Although awareness is low, demand is high among those who know about e-content. Last year alone, there was a 105 per cent increase in e-book usage and this has grown by another 70 per cent so far this year. In September 2013, TPL began actively promoting its e-magazine titles. Since then, borrowing rates have increased 100 per cent.
"Libraries have always connected people to information and there is now increasing demand for e-content," said Jane Pyper, City Librarian. "We want to let as many people as possible know that e-books and e-magazines are available at torontopubliclibrary.ca. All you'll need to access our e-content is a library card and Internet connection."
The most downloaded TPL e-books so far this year include:
A Tap on the Window by Linwood Barclay
The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith
Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King
Inferno by Dan Brown
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
MaddAddam by Margaret Atwood
Omens by Kelley Armstrong
The most downloaded e-magazines so far this year include:
The Economist
House & Home
Us Weekly
National Geographic
Rolling Stone
In the next few months, district libraries will have digital kiosks to demonstrate e-books and e-magazines. Book-a-Librarian services are also available at branches should customers need more one-on-one support.
The campaign supports TPL's strategic plan objective of growing a city of readers by a variety of means including building awareness of the availability of e-content.
Toronto Public Library is one of the world's busiest urban public library systems. Every year, 19 million people visit our branches in neighbourhoods across the city and borrow 32 million items. To learn more about Toronto Public Library, visit our website at torontopubliclibrary.ca or call Answerline at 416-393-7131. To get the most current updates on what's happening at the library, follow us on Twitter @torontolibrary.
SOURCE Toronto Public Library