Credit crunch? Did you know that it’s entirely free to join the library? Go online and allow the Isle of Wight Library Service to offer you something for nothing!

A new free audio book download service is being offered by the Isle of Wight Library Service, making more than 550 best-selling titles available online.

The Clipper DL service brings new current and classic titles in addition to the library service’s existing audio book collection. 

Among the new titles are:

• The Lost Symbol – Dan Brown;
• This Charming Man – Marian Keyes;
• Exit Music – Ian Rankin;
• The Little Stranger – Sarah Waters;
• The Enchantress of Florence – Salman Rushdie;
• Mercy – Jodi Picoult.

Library service manager, Rob Jones, said the Clipper DL service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“All that library members need is a PC with broadband internet access, and they can transfer the audio book content to their computer, MP3 player, iPod or even their mobile phone.”

More titles will be added to the collection every month, giving library members an ever increasing choice of unabridged audio books to listen to.

Joining the library is so easy too! For instant access to the Isle of Wight Library Service, you should go to www.iwight.com/thelibrary  You can sign up and be supplied with a PIN (personal identification number) to use straightaway.  A new library card will be sent to you within a few days.

“You can borrow up to 30 books at a time and keep them for three weeks. You can also borrow up to four DVDs at a time for only 98p each – and some children’s DVDs are only 49p a night.”

Your library card number will also give you instant access to a range of other services, including:

• asking to borrow a book from another library service;
• accessing the Encyclopaedia Britannica online;
• accessing the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography;
• searching through national and regional newspapers at News UK.

Free internet use at libraries.  All the council’s libraries have computers with internet access – all you need is your library card number and a password. The service is free, and classes can be provided to help you get started.