Weekend Herald

Library helps couple get on same page

- Ryan Dunlop

The tale behind the five millionth checkout of eBooks via Auckland Libraries’ online service is the latest chapter in a very special love story.

Auckland Libraries has just reached the milestone on its electronic-book platform OverDrive.

A Spanish and Portuguese road trip book checked out by Auckland man Ian Hammond broke the mark. It is necessary reading for him as he tries to get in the good books with his fiancee’s Spanish parents.

Hammond, a commercial property manager at Foundation One, met his fiancee Corinne Imbert while they were on holiday in the Bay of Islands.

“I found her very enchanting. We got on really well and now enjoy a wonderful life together where we get to live in New Zealand and Spain.”

Imbert is the director of New Zealand Schooling Services, which provides educationa­l support to internatio­nal students.

Hammond was learning some great road trip locations as well as Spanish so he could better communicat­e with her parents when they fly to Spain for Christmas with the family. Learning the language was really important to Hammond and meant a lot to his fiancee, he said. “As my language ability increases my interactio­n with my Spanish family and friends and my appreciati­on and love of the Spanish culture takes on a much deeper meaning.”

The Auckland Public Libraries’ electronic collection was fantastic, he said, and most people he talked to were surprised at what was available. OverDrive is used in more than

40,000 libraries and schools across

70 countries.

Auckland Libraries has joined 50 libraries, alongside the likes of New York and the National Library Singapore, in the 5 million checkouts club.

 ??  ?? Corinne Imbert and Ian Hammond.
Corinne Imbert and Ian Hammond.

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