Did you know your local library has thousands of ebooks and audiobooks? You can borrow them, instantly, for free, using just the device in your hand. All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet. All you need is your library card.
READING eBOOKS
You can read ebooks in a variety of ways: using a phone, tablet, ereader, laptop, and even from your desktop computer.
Many of the platforms have free downloadable apps, including OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla, and Freading. Depending on the platform, you can download books as Kindle, or read books in your browser or app.
eBOOK PLATFORMS
There are so many ways to read ebooks at the library! My top ebook platforms include:
ebooks from OverDrive - for new and bestselling fiction and nonfiction
hoopla - thousands of ebooks, with no waitlist ever also allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone –
OverDrive Kid’s eReading Room - books for kids and fans of kid lit
Freading - thousand of titles from some of today’s top publishers
Gale eBooks - nonfiction books in science, history, social science and more
TumbleBooks - animated talking picture books for kids
OverDrive provides access to the most ebook and audiobook content you’ll find by pairing with local libraries. They have over two million books and videos, and partner with more than 30,000 libraries. You’ll find the newest audiobook releases through OverDrive, and they’re all free. That means the free Harry Potter audiobooks you’ve been dying to read (or more likely re-read)?
Audiobooks offer a great way to escape while you’re working, cooking, or cleaning. They have also been proven to help struggling readers access literature. But a battle still rages: audiobooks vs. reading. Which side are you on? If you are new to audiobooks, here’s a short guide to getting started with audiobooks at the Free Library.
AUDIOBOOK PLATFORMS
There are so many ways to listen to audiobooks at the library! Some top audiobook platforms include:
RBdigital - our largest selection of the latest and greatest audiobooks
Audiobooks from OverDrive - for new and bestselling fiction and non-fiction
hoopla - thousands of audiobooks, with no waitlist ever
OverDrive Kid’s eReading Room - audiobooks for kids and fans of kidlit
What if you don’t have a Library Card?
First, get one! You can apply online to most local libraries. Meanwhile - visit:
YouTube
Kids everywhere can stream an incredible collection of stories that will help them continue dreaming and learning.
“Operation Storytime” and “Save With Stories”
Here’s how it works: Famous actors and authors post social media videos of themselves reading various children’s books aloud to entertain self-quarantined families whose children are no longer in school because of public health concerns.
Audible.com
For as long as schools are closed, kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including 100s of children's audio books titles across six different languages. No sign up, no account, just click, stream and listen.
Books Should Be Free
Perfect for introducing a child who is not yet reading or who enjoys listening to stories to literature! Books Should Be Free offers a wide selection of free audio and ebooks including many of the classics.They also have ebook formats for Kindle, iPad, iPhone, Nook, Sony Reader and laptops
Open Culture
This collection provides a list of free educational resources for K-12 students (kindergarten through high school students) and their parents and teachers.
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenberg has 50,000 free ebooks to download or read online. These are books whose copyright has expired, so while they are not “trending,” they do include many classics.
