Aberdeenshire library users will benefit from a new and improved online service when it comes into force later this month.

As part of the changes to the electronic library management system, customers will be able to manage their library accounts from home, build a profile of their favourite authors or genres and receive recommendations when new books are added to library stock.

The service will be available from Wednesday, October 28 although data transferral will begin on Wednesday, October 21.

During that week, although libraries will be open and function as usual it will not be possible to place reservations. Access to computers through the People’s Network will be unaffected as will customers’ ability to download e-books, magazines and music. This is an exciting step that will allow library users to manage their profiles in a way that suits them, with extra benefits such as book recommendations based on a reader’s favourite author. School libraries will now also be fully integrated thanks to new system. This will allow pupils and teachers to borrow materials from both school and branch libraries throughout Aberdeenshire with a single library card.

To view the selection of books, audiobooks and ebooks available through the council please visit http://bit.ly/shirelibrarybooks

To access the council’s free music download service visit http://bit.ly/shiremusicdownload

Better still, pay your local library a visit and browse!