Ebooks are just the ticket for Shropshire libraries

But the stereotype is being shattered in Shropshire and Mid Wales as libraries embrace the rising popularity of eBooks and internet downloads.

With Shropshire Council set to introduce eBook loans next year and many of the county's libraries having undergone refurbishments in recent years, the service is ready to face the challenge of modern technology.

In Mid Wales, librarians have already made the change and users are already downloading hundreds of books and magazines each month.

It is a far cry from the days of cardboard membership cards, old books scarred by stains from red wine or fry-ups and the chance to borrow the latest music on cassettes.

Now iPads and other devices are allowing members to download books and information from the comfort of their own homes.

The scheme first came to prominence locally in Powys in early 2013, when with Welsh Assembly support, eBook downloads were made available through the county council.

All library members have to do is register on the council's eBooks website and up to six titles can be downloaded at once.

And you can forget late fees as the books will be automatically wiped from your device after three weeks.

John Evans, Powys County Council spokesman, said: "We are really pleased with how popular it has become and we have recently listed 250 top magazine titles to add to the 30,000 eBooks we have available.

"It is adapting the library service to the modern age and hopefully will attract a new audience to reading.

"On your first visit to the library you will be given a library ticket, which you will need to have with you when you visit the library or register online. You will get a pin which is needed to access services.

"Once you have registered, you can log on to the eBooks site using your library card number and the pin number you created when you registered on the site.

"There is no charge to borrow our eBooks. The books will automatically disappear from your device at the end of the loan period.

"If the book you want is out on loan, you can reserve it free of charge. You will be notified when it is available for you to download."

However, Mr Evans said that not all tablets can access the eBooks with the library.

He added: "Unfortunately not all tablets are able to access library eBooks through the library service, with Kindle e-Readers incompatible. This is because Amazon devices do not support library-loaned material.

"Kindle Fire devices may be able to access library eBooks by installing the Bluefire App, but Amazon do not make this App available in their App store, as Kindle devices are primarily intended to access Amazon's own eBook service.

"eBooks for Wales is funded by the Welsh Assembly Government and a consortium of 14 public library authorities in Wales, including Powys."

He said he thought eBooks would be particularly popular in rural areas, where people would normally have to travel miles by public transport or car to get to their nearest library.

"It is perfect for people who live out of towns to be able to in affect visit their local library from the comfort of home," he said.

"A lot of people in rural Powys and I am sure Shropshire can find it difficult to get out often and may end up not making use of the library service.

"With the eBooks people can use the library service to suit them."

Meanwhile, Michael Lewis, head of libraries at Shropshire Council, insists the future of libraries is bright, despite competition from eBooks and the move away from the printed word.

He said: "I want Shropshire to be the best library service it can be. It does have a future.

"The library is not dead just because everyone's got a Kindle. I've still got a pile of paperbacks by the side of my bed and I do read them. The Kindle will not kill Shropshire libraries, it will make it better, but we need to move with the times."