Audiobooks

A variety of spoken word books are available on CD at all Milton Keynes libraries. Audiobooks are loaned as part of the 15 items available to borrow for full library members.

We stock the following:

• Books: Fiction - most titles produced on CD are popular fiction in both abridged and unabridged versions.
• Books: Non-Fiction - including biographies and travel.
• Comedy - ranging from The Goon Show to Mitchell and Webb.
• Radio Plays - including works by Agatha Christie and William Shakespeare.
• Self-Help - covering subjects like fear of flying and relaxation.
• eAudiobook downloads
• eMagazine downloads
• eBook downloads

Visually impaired library members can borrow audiobooks free of charge.

Fines are charged on overdue items.

Reservations can be made for audiobooks that are already in library stock or on order. There is a charge for making a reservation.

Banned books

Banned Books Week was started by the American Library Association (ALA) in 1982. It was initiated in response to an increasing number of challenges in America to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. Banned Books Week UK is a week long celebration of the freedom to read, coordinated by partner organisations in association with the ALA.

What do we mean by ‘Banned’?
By ‘banned’ we mean any book that has been censored or banned - or it may have been restricted or asked to be removed from libraries, schools, bookshops or public circulation. A book might be challenged by individuals, private pressure groups or governments who disagree with its content or message and wish to censor or silence the author’s voice.

Banned Books Week is in September.

Basic skills services

Books and reading

Whether you're looking for fiction or non-fiction we have the right book for you. The Milton Keynes City Council libraries hold books in a variety of formats.

• Large Print - All libraries stock a range of large print books. While not all books published are produced in large print, most of the popular novels and some factual books (like biographies or travel stories) are published in this format. Reservations can be made for large print books and library members who are visually impaired can make reservations free of charge.
• Graphic Novels - from Batman to Manga.
• Children's books - from board books for your babies to early readers and homework help.
• Teen books
• Community language books - for adults and children.
• Reading group box sets
• Quick Reads - basic skills collection
• Library books for people with dyslexia

We also participate in many events like the Summer Reading Challenge and information is shared as the schemes become active.

We have a collection of Mood Boosting Books for library members to borrow. These books have been recommended by readers as being upbeat and having lifted their spirits.

Community language resources

• Children's and adult books in languages other than English.
• Newspapers and magazines in other languages. If our collection doesn't have the particular newspaper or magazine you're looking for, try the digital newspaper reader called PressReader.

Digital books - eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines

Learning English as a second language (ESOL)

Magazines

• Each library has a selection of popular magazines available for loan - including cookery, music, film, gardening, fitness and sport.
• Magazines are bought on a regular basis but we can't guarantee that we will buy the same titles every month.
• There is no charge for borrowing magazines.
• Magazines are loaned for one week and can be returned to any library. 
• Magazines can be renewed by the week at any library, by phone or online.

We have a variety of resources available

• Magazines and newspapers in languages other than English
• Magazines and newspapers are held with the reference resources
• Family history and local studies magazines
• Request magazine and newspaper articles
• eMagazine downloads
• Magazines are available through PressReader.

Please note that you can't reserve magazines.

Music library

Books and resources

• Books and reference books on music, music-making and musicians - search the library catalogue for titles.
• Music tuition - find tutors in the local area through the Community Learning Music Hub.

Music/orchestral scores

These organisations hire out music scores:

• Chameleon Music Hire
• Gerontius
• Making Music
• Choirs

New stock coming soon to the Milton Keynes City Council libraries

• You can see what books are coming soon to the Milton Keynes libraries using the library catalogue.
• Select the 'New Titles Coming Soon' option from the list on the screen.
• And choose to view adult books, teen books, children's books, large print or audiobooks.

Recently added books

You'll find a list of books that have been recently added to the shelves in the What's New section on the library catalogue.

Recommend a book for adding to the shelves

If you'd like to see a particular book or series at the library, fill in the online form to recommend a title.