Middlesbrough Council has announced that it will make Hublet tablets available in its public libraries from next month.
It said the Finnish made devices will give more people access to digital content and require minimal IT skills to use.
Hublets are kept on docking stations and can be loaned to library users within the buildings for them to read e-books and magazines or use self-help apps through Wi-Fi.
The council’s library service has received £270,000 from the Libraries Improvement Fun to provide technology upgrades.
Evolving digital offer
Its library service project manager, David Harrington, said: “The introduction of the Hublets is an exciting addition to our ever evolving digital offer.
“Middlesbrough is only the second library authority in England to enable printing directly from the Hublets using a dedicated WiFi print network.
“The Hublets will be rolled out to Middlesbrough’s libraries from April.”
Nottinngham City Council is also making the devices available for use within its libraries.
