Libraries say demand for digital lending has soared since Christmas, with 1,000 ebooks a month being borrowed.
The rise is due to the growing popularity of Kindles, EReaders, IPads and Smart phones.
Digital lending in the USA went up by 130% last year.
Libraries in South Dublin, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Waterford and Kildare are leading the way in ebook lending.
However, libraries say they are restricted by some publishers and that not all popular reads are available.
Library members can borrow an ebook online using a library card and a pin number.
The ebook is then downloaded onto a tablet computer, a smartphone etc.
Ebooks can be borrowed for between 1 and 3 weeks. The lending licence expires after that time and the ebook is automatically returned to the library, meaning there are no late returns or penalties.
The service is provided and protected by the global distributor "Overdrive".
Publishing Ireland, which represents more than 80 members, says the main challenges facing publishers is getting clearance from copyright holders of past titles.
However, they say there is a digital strategy in place and the next 12 to 18 months will be significant for Irish publishers in the ebook market.
- Keywords:
- ebooks,
- libraries,
- digital lending
