MAGAZINES are now available for loan from half of Hampshire County Council’s 50 libraries and discovery centres.

The county council says that since their introduction in April this year, there have been more than 13,000 items checked out, including titles such as Vogue, Empire, BBC Good Food, Lonely Planet, What Car? and Practical Photographer.

Loans of orchestra sets and vocal scores, used by local orchestral and choral groups, have also increased this year.

Learner drivers can also practice for their theory tests with an online version of the Highway Code and realistic hazard perception video simulations.

This is just one of many e-resources and tools available in libraries for children and adults, some of which can also be accessed remotely from members’ home computers.

Councillor Keith Chapman, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for culture and recreation, said: “Hampshire has one of the largest library services in the whole of the UK and offers so much more than many people realise.

“Libraries and discovery centres are a great resource for local residents, not only as a place to read, but also as a platform for encouraging knowledge, creativity and socialising.

“As people’s needs evolve, so will our library service, so that we are continuing to bring new and improved services to everyone in Hampshire.”