A New Zealand Public Library Partners With Kobo and Begins Selling Ereaders and Tablets

From the Hutt (New Zealand) Public Library:

In a new venture, Hutt City Libraries is partnering with KoboBook.com and PaperPlus New Zealand to make reading more accessible to people – a “world first” for Kobo.
From Tuesday 25 June, Hutt City Libraries will be offering Kobo eReaders and the Kobo tablet for sale and later this year, in-library rental. After trialling several tablets, Kobo’s Arc met criteria for speed, battery life, design, ease of use, and price.
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“We already team up with our local Paper Plus bookshop on a number of author events, so this is a natural extension for both of us”, says Libraries’ Manager Sandra Mann.
Kobo’s response to Hutt City Libraries approach in August last year was one of delight. They had been waiting a long time for a library somewhere in the world to trial selling eReaders.  The advantage to Hutt City Libraries is collaboration with a well-known and respected brand and one that integrates with the popular Overdrive ebooks.
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The Libraries will run regular sessions on how to get the most from your tablet or eReader and developing a whole range of interactive sessions for class visits, as well as regular childrens, teens and adult programmes. The classes are simply an extension of the popular digital literacy courses the libraries have been running for over 18 months; which include regular eReader and tablet sessions as well as a range of Stepping Up courses.

Read the Complete Announcement
Hat Tip: Matt Weaver

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