Libraries

eBooks, eAudio, eNewspapers and magazines

If you're a library member you can download and read or listen to books for free from our eBooks and eAudio website.

There's a great range of books to choose from including fiction, non-fiction, children's books and audio books. You can borrow up to eight titles at a time, for up to three weeks.  

We also have digital magazines available for you to borrow. There are almost 3000 titles to choose from on our eBooks and eAudio website.

You’ll need your library card number and PIN to log on to use eBooks, eAudio books and magazines. There is no need to register for this service as it's already part of your library membership. If you don’t have your library PIN, please pop into any branch or contact us. If we have an email address on file for you, you can also use the 'forgot my PIN' function on the log on tab of the library catalogue.

The Libby app

If you've got an Android or iOS tablet or smartphone you can download the Libby app. This allows you to borrow books directly on your device. For help getting started with Libby take a look at our video guide below to using eBooks and eAudio.

If you're using a Kindle Fire tablet you can download and read or listen to books via our eBooks and eAudio website.

eNewspapers

You can access electronic newspapers in PressReader for 30-day intervals. Just click through the link in the ‘Extras’ tab of the Libby app or our eBooks and eAudio website.

You'll need to be logged on to Libby to gain access. Once you've done this, you'll be able to view any of the national, local and international publications for 30 days.

You'll see a countdown of the days you have left to view these via the Libby app. Newspapers can be read in browser, so you'll not need to download any.  

After 30 days, you'll need to log in again via Libby to regain access to PressReader.

 

Reference collections

Library members have free instant access to some online reference collections. You'll need to log in with your membership number.

Reference resources available inside and outside the library

Resource

Description

Oxford English Dictionary A guide to the meaning and history of over half a million words, constantly updated from English language sources worldwide.
Theory Test Pro Preparation for your Driving Theory Test (licensed from the DVSA).

 

Reference resources available inside the library only

Resource

Description

Access to Research Over 30 million free articles including art, business, engineering, history and politics. 
Ancestry Collection of family history records. UK Census from 1851 to 1901.
Find My Past Contains the 1939 register, UK parish records, newspapers articles and more to help you to research your family history.
The British Newspaper Archive Explore hundreds of national, regional and local newspapers dating from the 1700s to 2000s.

To sign up for an account choose 'register' and complete the 'tell us about you' section on the registration page.
BFI Replay BFI Replay is a free-to-access digital archive of film and television programmes. 
Drama Online - National Theatre Collection An award winning digital library of theatrical plays from the National Theatre. 
The Sound Doctor A website to help people understand and manage long term health conditions better, via a series of short films. Conditions covered include back pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia, obesity and diabetes.

 

Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) resources

The Business and Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC) provides support to business owners, entrepreneurs and inventors to start, run and grow their business.

Resources available inside and outside the library

Resource Description
COBRA (Complete Business Reference Adviser) Explore business sectors, find business support and access information about trading legally.

Resources available at Library @ the Lightbox only

Resource Description
GRANTfinder The UK’s leading grants database, featuring continuously updated funding opportunities.
IBIS World Market research on UK industries, including statistics, analysis and forecasts.

Some of these resources may require assistance from staff to access.