Access to Research

Offers free access to over 40 million academic articles on a wide variety of subjects. An ideal resource for small businesses, researchers and students with in-depth information on topics including: art, architecture, business, engineering, history, languages, politics, philosophy, mathematics and the sciences.

Accessible only while in the library.

Watch this video to learn what Access to Research is all about.

Ancestry Library Edition

Free access to the full Ancestry website with searchable access to all English and Welsh censuses from 1841 to 1911. More information is available on the UK census page.

Since January 2025 the 1921 census for England and Wales, containing records of 38 million people, has been available on the Ancestry website.

Ancestry can be accessed for free using the computers in the libraries. Please ask library staff if you need help.

BFI Replay

Watch historical films, television programmes and videos with BFI Replay.

While you are connected to the Wi-Fi at any of the Milton Keynes libraries or using one of the computers available for public use, you will be able to access over 60 years of digitised content.

What is BFI Replay?

• BFI Replay is a new, free-to-access, digital archive from the BFI (British Film Institute), exclusively available in UK public lending libraries. 
• It’s the result of one of the UK’s largest mass digitisation programmes.
• The content uncovers stories from across the UK, its history and its people.
• You’ll find over 60 years of film, television and video from all corners of the UK showing what we, our parents and carers, grandparents and communities watched. 
• The platform provides access to 1000s of digitised videotapes from across the UK, collected and cared for by archivists for over half a century.

Please note that some material be considered offensive or upsetting.

• As content spans several decades, some videos include language and attitudes that may have been common or widely tolerated at the time but are unacceptable today.
• Other videos may include content that is justifiable in context (for example, images of medical procedures) but may nevertheless be upsetting or triggering for some.
• The BFI have taken careful steps to exclude wholly unacceptable material from the platform, and to identify and label any sensitive material with appropriate content and/or trigger warnings.  However, they can’t guarantee that all such sensitive content has been identified.

Download and view the official BFI Welcome Guide for more information.

BorrowBox

It’s easy to browse, borrow and listen to your eAudiobooks anywhere and everywhere. Access an exclusive collection of eAudiobook titles from bestselling authors free with your library membership.

Read more about how to access BorrowBox on the digital books webpage.

COBRA

COBRA is a continually expanding business encyclopedia covering all aspects of setting up, running and growing a business.

Quick and easy access to thousands of factsheets, detailed guides on hundreds of small business trades and professions plus practical 'How To' guides, market summaries and information about trade events, business support and funding.

COBRA is currently offering remote access to library members. Use your library card number to log in where it asks for your ticket number. Membership numbers allocated when you join online will not allow access, but it's easy to transfer your online membership to a library card - ask a member of staff when you next visit one of the libraries.

Search the COIN Database

The Community Information Database is a directory of local community information listing both local and national organisations and groups. Read more about it. and how to get your group listed, on the COIN webpage.

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System - the world’s proven English language test. Improve your written English skills.

Road to IELTS

• Ideal for IELTS preparation with interactive activities, advice videos, and practice tests aimed at the challenges candidates face.
• Road to IELTS is the British Council’s comprehensive, 100% online IELTS preparation program.
• It includes over 300 interactive activities, 13 videos giving advice and tutorials, 40 practice tests — everything your candidates need to get a great IELTS score!

Arrivals in English

Practical English for newcomers

Arrivals in English is a resource to equip newcomers to the UK with the language to perform essential, practical activities. 

The aim is to introduce simple fixed phrases without focusing on formal structural learning, and to present a range of vocabulary that will help learners meet their real-world needs. 

Arrivals in English is delivered online and runs on computer, tablet and mobile.

The syllabus includes sections that focus on:

1. Saying hello
2. Filling in a form
3. Talking to a doctor
4. Money and banks
5. Food shopping
6. Ordering food
7. Jobcentre Plus
8. Finding a job
9. Public transport
10. Emergencies

Libby from OverDrive

Free eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines to borrow.Full details about how to borrow digital books and magazines and how to read and listen to them using the award-winning one-tap Libby app are on the digital books webpage.

Library account

Log in to manage your account details and loans, renew items and reserve items or pay fines and charges online.

Online payments

Pay online using a debit or credit card once you have logged in using your library card number and PIN. Forgotten your PIN?

Follow the link to your outstanding fines and charges, select the items you want to pay and click 'Pay Online'.

When making your payment please remember to enter your debit/credit card number with no spaces and your name exactly as it appears on the card. You'll be able to print your page showing full details including a receipt number. If you need further information, please read our detailed online payments guidance.

If any items on your card are already overdue you will need to renew these before you can pay the outstanding charge in full. Remember there are various reasons that may prevent you from being able to renew items.

National Theatre Collection 3

Watch performances from the National Theatre Collection 3 while you are connected to the Wi-Fi at any of the Milton Keynes libraries or using one of the computers available for public use.

Watch trailers of some of the online dramas by clicking through to YouTube.

Current performances include:

• Antony and Cleopatra
• As You Like It
• The Book of Dust
• The Crucible
• Dixon and Daughters
• Everyman
• The Great Wave
• Hamlet (schools’ production)
• Hex
• Jack Absolute Flies Again
• Much Ado About Nothing
• Othello
• Our Generation
• Phaedra
• Romeo and Julie
• Shut Up, I’m Dreaming
• Trouble in Mind
• Under Milk Wood
• The Wife of Willesden
• Wuthering Heights

Naxos Music Library

Free access to a collection of music resources by logging in with your library card number. If you're not a member, it's free to join the library! 

Naxos is an online service which offers a huge selection of music resources, including:

• Music Library - the world's largest classical music listening service with over 2.7 million tracks - an exceptionally wide range of standard and rare repertoire and content from over 940 labels (major and independent).
• The Naxos Dictionary of Music - an ever-expanding reference tool for students, performers and consumers of classical music which focuses on musical terms, composers and instruments.
• Naxos Musicology International - connects scholars, students and educational institutions with music critics and practitioners, music essays and articles that speak across social, cultural and institutional barriers.

Naxos Music Library App

With the app, you’ll have access to millions of tracks of great music wherever you go, all at your fingertips and on any device.

You can download the app from:

• The Apple Store for iOS
• Google Play for Android

Full information about the app features and a user guide can be found on the Naxos website.

Please note that there are instructions for library members which include the steps to create your own Member Account with personal login details before you can use the app:

• Sign in to Naxos on a laptop using your library card number.
• Select the NML Playlists tab along the top of the screen.
• Select the SIGN UP for a MEMBER ACCOUNT (top right of the screen).
• Create your login details.
• Use these login details to log in to the app on your other devices.

OverDrive (Libby app)

Free eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines to borrow. Full details about how to borrow digital books and magazines and how to read and listen to them using the award-winning one-tap Libby app are on the digital books webpage.

Oxford Dictionaries

Log in to the Oxford Dictionaries premium service using your library card number for Oxford's innovative current English language resource.

You can access free reliable resources that provide word definitions and spellings, pronunciations, and synonyms (alternative words you can use). It also includes expert guidance on writing styles, usage and grammar, and specialist guides for legal and technical writing.

PressReader

• Thousands of digital newspapers from the UK and around the world are available 24/7 and in 60 languages - including THE ECONOMIST.
• Listen to articles in the language of your choice using the PressReader App.
• There are dedicated iOS, Android BlackBerry and Windows apps for accessing PressReader on the move.
• Find help by visiting the PressReader Care site.
• Sign in with your library card number and PIN.
• Temporary library card numbers (issued when joining online) can also be used.

Digital magazines are available through the Libby app or website. Visit the digital books web page for full information.

Theory Test Pro

Online driving theory test revision resources. Practise answering over 1000 questions from the theory test question bank and prepare for the hazard perception test using the DSA sample video clips.

• When you access the theory test revision site for the first time, you will be asked to sign up on the Theory Test Pro website. To do this you'll need an email address and a library card number. It's free to join the library if you are not already a member.
• Enter your library card number.
• Temporary library card numbers (issued when joining online) can also be used.

There is also an app available to practise on your phone. Download the Theory Test Pro app from Google Play or the Apple Store.

Expert testing, reviews and advice from Which? This is only available at Central Library - ask a member of staff to log you in.