Libraries are gearing up for the introduction of electronic books.
New Zealand publishers have submitted more than 300 books for digitisation and the e-books should be introduced midway through next year.
The books can be downloaded onto PCs, cell phones and e-readers which are not yet available in New Zealand.Brian Anderson from Porirua City Libraries says he envisages libraries owning copies of electronic books and hiring them out online.
"I think it will be an alternative but not a replacement. It might encourage more reading in general, which we always think is a really good thing. With things like text books, for example it seems that the electronic format is a real winner."Mr Anderson says his only concern about e-readers is that each company has its own format and many are not compatible.
