eLibrary

We offer a virtual library for both library members and non-members with a number of online services which can be accessed either at the libraries or on your own devices.

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Library Member Resources

Access to Research

Free access to over 1.5 million academic articles. 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.

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Ancestry

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.

For help using the Ancestry Library Edition website, view a detailed Database Guide or watch ProQuest training videos on YouTube.

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

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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 web page.

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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 can be accessed in libraries and remote access is currently available for library members. Use your library card number to log in (including the initial B) where it asks for your ticket number.

We can undertake searches on your behalf if you email us your requests. Please note that printing charges will apply.

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COIN

Community Information Database - local community information listing both local and national organisations and groups.

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IELTS

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!

Tense Buster

Helps learners improve their understanding of 33 key grammar areas from some/any at Elementary level to phrasal verbs at Advanced level.

Clarity’s most popular program Tense Buster helps learners break through the grammar barrier. Tense Buster helps learners with 33 key grammar areas at five levels. Ideal for independent learning, classwork and homework. 

Practical Writing

Practical Writing is for students at Intermediate to Advanced level who need to use written English both at school and in their personal life.

Practical Writing helps students write everything from a descriptive essay for their teacher or a message to a friend; offering help to structure the message, selecting the right vocabulary and choosing the most appropriate style.

These modules can be accessed by mobile phone, laptop and tablet.

Enter your Library Card Membership Number (including the B) when prompted for your library barcode (for example B761234567 and if your number ends with an X you should include this too). Library card numbers issued when joining online can also be used.

If you are not a member of the library you can still access IELTS on the computers at libraries in Milton Keynes - just ask library staff to log you on.

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Libby App (OverDrive)

Libby App (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 web page.

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Library Account 

Library Account - log in to manage your account details and loans, renew 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 will 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 (PDF, 307KB).

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.

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Naxos Music Library

Use your library card details to sign in and listen to over 2,621,050 music tracks (more than 167,240 discs) of classical music with an exceptionally wide range of standard and rare repertoire – content from over 940 labels (major and independent).

Accessing the Naxos Music Library also gives you access to:

  • 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, with opinions, encounters and essays about music and musicians.
  • Aural exercises and work analyses focussing on core classical works.
  • Guided tours of musical eras.
  • Graded music exam playlists.
  • Opera libretti and synopses.
  • Study guides for music students.
  • An entire junior section including a narrated stories section.

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Naxos MusicBox

Naxos offers MusicBox as a resource of music-related activities and information for children. The site is intended for both adults and children to use, in school or at home.

Select 'Log in' at the top of the screen and then 'Log in with your library card' - enter your library card number and you're in! Select from the many different options, including:

  • Instruments - listen to instruments and learn about what they can.
  • Activities - questions, activities and more.
  • Composers - learn about famous composers of classical music.
  • History - timelines to see key music moments in history.
  • Audiobooks - hear about classical music and its composers.
  • Stage and screen - music for TV and film, ballet, opera and musicals.
  • Voices - everything to do with singing.
  • World - sample different tracks from across planet earth.
  • Playlists - many themed playlists to choose from.

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OverDrive (Libby App)

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 web page.

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PressReader

PressReader - digital newspapers and publications from the UK and around the world available 24/7 and in 60 languages. You can also 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 viewing the PressReader guide (PDF, 158KB).

Enter your Library Card Membership Number (including the B - for example B761234567 and if your number ends with an X you should include this too). Temporary library card numbers (issued when joining online) can also be used.

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Theory Test Pro

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 from home for the first time, you will be asked to sign up. 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 Membership Number (including the B - for example B761234567 and if your number ends with an X you should include this too). Temporary library card numbers (issued when joining online) can also be used.

PLEASE NOTE: If you are using a mobile app you will only have limited access to the site. To get full access to the entire question bank, all the hazard perception clips, the hazard practice exams and the online highway code you need to access Theory Test Pro on a desktop or laptop computer.

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Times Digital Archive

The Times Digital Archive - contains the full text of the Times newspaper from the very first issue in 1785 up to 2014. As well as news articles, this includes advertisements, book reviews, obituaries, law reports and letters.

To access the archive, enter the letter B and the numbers on your library card when asked for your library barcode (for example B761234567. Note that some numbers end with an X and you should include this too).

If you are not a member of the library you can still access Times Digital Archive on the computers at libraries in Milton Keynes - just ask library staff to log you on.

You can search by keyword for a particular article or browse through issues by date.

Issues of the Times up to 2006 can be viewed on microfilm in the Reference Library at Milton Keynes Central Library.

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Which? Online

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

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Last Updated: 11 May 2022