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Book lovers in Cumbria flooded local libraries to vote for their favourite titles on line.

Their votes helped pick the winners in eight categories in the W H Smith “People’s Choice” Book Awards 2004. Users were able to vote online using computers based in the County Council’s libraries.

And the County attracted the fourth highest number of online votes in the country proving that Cumbrians love their libraries and the host of facilities they offer. Only North Yorkshire, Tameside and Plymouth libraries polled more votes than Cumbria.

Nationally, 8,000 votes were registered online in libraries out of a total of more than 150,000, through the post, online and via text message.

The W H Smith “People’s Choice” is the largest public voting awards, spanning eight categories, and winners are voted for entirely by the public.  From 14 January until 25 February, 340 readers in Cumbria logged on to the People's Network Internet service at their local library. The winners of the awards are to be announced tomorrow (March 17).

There were eight categories of books to choose from, with five short listed titles in each category.  Members of the public and celebrity judges, including The Duchess of York, Linda Barker, Robson Green and Martin Bashir, chose the shortlists of five titles.

Councillor Tim Heslop, Cumbria County Council Cabinet member with responsibility for libraries, says:

“Linking the County library service with the WHSmith Book Awards is another great example of our users gaining knowledge about books and using the Internet.  Our libraries not only provide access to thousands of books, use of computers and the Internet through the People’s Network, but also DVDs, videos and a wealth of community information.”