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.

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.

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.

COIN

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

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!

Libby app (OverDrive)

Libby app (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

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.

Naxos Music Library

Naxos Music Library is back!

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 Music Library - 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.

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 webpage.

PressReader

  • PressReader - more than 7000 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.
  • Sign in with your library card number and PIN.
  • Temporary library card numbers (issued when joining online) can also be used.

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 number.
  • 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.

Times Digital Archive

The Times Digital Archive - contains the full text of the Times newspaper from the very first issue in 1785 up to 2019. As well as news articles, this includes advertisements, book reviews, obituaries, law reports and letters.

  • 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.
  • To access the archive, enter your library card number when asked for your library barcode.
  • If you aren't 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.

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.

Milton Keynes City Council Libraries contact information

Milton Keynes Central Library, 555 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 3HL