3 Sep 2020

Auckland library ebook checkouts soar as people look for lockdown laughs

4:20 pm on 3 September 2020

Aucklanders who downloaded library e-books during last month's alert level 3 lockdown sought light-hearted and humorous reads.

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File image. Photo: 123rf

Auckland Council Libraries said its most popular eBook was Funny, Ha, Ha: 80 of the Funniest Stories Ever Written.

The most popular eAudiobook was The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck:A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life.

There were more than 108,000 eBooks checked out during lockdown and nearly 37,000 e-Audiobooks, nearly a 50 percent increase on the same period last year.

Libraries have reopened with safety measures in place and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff has encouraged people to enjoy their full range of services.

"Even with the challenges that losing $450 million in revenue during the lockdown has caused the council, we have prioritised our spending to keep our libraries open and meeting the needs of Aucklanders," he said.