Free music downloads are now on offer through libraries in Perth and Kinross.
The AK Bell Library in Perth saw the launch of the region’s new digital music download service one of the first areas in the UK to offer the service.
Freegal Friday saw local young musicians performing live at the AK Bell Library and library customers were invited to bring along their laptops, smartphones, MP3 players and tablets to find out more and choose from millions of free and legal tracks that are available.
Provided by Library Ideas Inc, Freegal is a system that works on a range of electronic devices. Library staff were on hand yesterday to demonstrate the service.
The council’s lifelong learning convener Bob Band helped to launch the new service.
He said: “Freegal is popular in libraries around the world and our libraries service is one of the first in the UK to offer it.
“We think it will prove very popular both with our current and new customers alike.”
The new facility follows on from the ebook and e-audio service that was made available in Perth and Kinross libraries in October 2012.
At that time, more than 2,000 library users browsed the service in its first month and the crime section almost doubled in size due to popular demand.
Since its launch, library users have been making regular use of the e-audio book services, which enables books to be downloaded on to a smartphone, iPad or other tablet device.
The launch was not popular with everyone, however. One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, contacted The Courier to claim she was forced to leave the AK Bell Library because the traditional quiet she enjoys there had been spoiled by the music provided as part of the launch.
Picture by Phil Hannah