GONE are the days when libraries were merely centres for borrowing piles of novels and the odd music release. Now people across Suffolk are being invited to add an energy saving monitor to their pile of loaned books in a bid to be green.

GONE are the days when libraries were merely centres for borrowing piles of novels and the odd music release.

Now people across Suffolk are being invited to add an energy saving monitor to their pile of loaned books in a bid to be green.

Householders using the monitors can reduce their electricity bills by an average of 15pc, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Bungay Library hosted the launch of the scheme, which is being funded by Suffolk's Creating the Greenest County partnership, with the aim of helping householders cut their electricity bills.

By seeing how much electricity they are using and what it is costing them in pounds and pence, householders are encouraged to switch off unnecessary devices or replace standard light bulbs with energy saving alternatives. Monitors are being offered for loan at branches throughout the county, including from mobile libraries.

By raising awareness and changing behaviour, the devices typically save householders between �25 and �75 off a �500 bill.

Roger McMaster, Suffolk County Council's head of libraries, said: 'This is a great opportunity for Suffolk libraries to contribute in a meaningful way to making Suffolk the greenest county. We are pleased to be working with colleagues in this project which will help people who are looking for ways to decrease their energy consumption whether for financial saving or environmental motivation.

He added: 'This demonstrates that libraries and mobile libraries are at the heart of the community offering much more than just books.'