TORONTO (October 9, 2013) –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 tpl.ca/ereads. 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
The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America 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.
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Media contact:
416-397-5936