Virtual reality is in overdrive at Manchester libraries

The future is bright at Manchester's libraries with the launch of a brand new service enabling people to download e-books and audio books for the first time.

Overdrive, is a service available to all members of Manchester libraries allowing them to borrow a wide range of virtual material including novels, non-fiction and biographies directly from the website www.manchester.gov.uk/libraries

By clicking on the link you can download e-books and audio books to computers, mobile phones, mp3 players, e-readers and other devices free of charge and will be able to access to them for three weeks.

After this period the loan will expire and the books will be returned to the online library for others to use.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester City Council's executive member for culture and leisure said: "There has already been quite a lot of demand for the service. It's a new way of accessing information and is absolutely something that libraries should be embracing to remain relevant and meet the needs of library users."

With more and more people accessing information through the internet, Overdrive is a convenient system of borrowing books without having to physically visit the library or even leave the comfort of your own home.

Whether you're on a bus, in a bar or even in the bath, the Overdrive system is so flexible you can take out books any time, any where.

To find out more about Overdrive including a list of compatible devices and the stock available visit www.manchester.gov.uk/libraries