THURROCK Council has defended its decision to close down an online book borrowing service and replace it with a different option.

Residents contacted Thurrock Nub News after it was announced that the council would no longer be utilising the Libby service which allows residents to borrow ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and more from local libraries for free!

Neighbouring authorities, including Essex and Kent county councils continue to use the popular Libby service. Thurrock Council has switched to the 'Borrow Box app'.

One resident told Nub News: "Borrow box is great for ebooks and eaudio books. However, it only has 39 magazines and you can only read the magazines if no one else has them reserved, The Libby app allowed anyone to read anything at any time,  whether or not a fellow card holder was reading the issue or not.

"It's a shame for the residents and it's not fair when neighbouring authorities do get this better service."

Cash-strapped Thurrock Council says the new service is a more 'cost-effective solution'.

Cllr George Coxshall, cabinet member for health, adult social care, community and public protection, said: "BorrowBox offers our library access to borrow digital copies of thousands of e-books, audiobooks and an ever-growing selection of digital magazines and newspapers.

"We decided to focus our service on a single app, offering a more cost-effective solution while providing a simpler and more streamlined service to library users.

"BorrowBox's more extensive library of e-books and audiobooks presents a better service to the majority of Thurrock Library members."

The council added: "Library members can check out up to seven titles from BorrowBox's collection of e-books and e-audio, in addition to the 14 physical items on their library card.

• More information about joining a Thurrock Library is available at: https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/join-library/joining-library
• More information about the online lending service can be found at: https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/online-at-your-library/e-books-e-audio-and-magazines-online