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Library Member Resources

These resources are accessible at libraries and on your home computer with your Milton Keynes Libraries card:

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Library Resources

Central Library Resources

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Public Resources

These resources are accessible from any PC (no library card is required):

• COIN - Community Information Database
• Enquire - Ask a Librarian a Question
• Ephemera - John Johnson Archive
• FutureLearn - Online Courses and Learning
• History - BBC
• John Johnson Archive of Printed Ephemera
• Joining Milton Keynes Libraries Online
• Languages - Learn with the BBC
• Library Catalogue
• Nationmaster - Country Profiles and Statistics
• Postcode Finder - Royal Mail
• Schools Revision - BBC Bitesize
• Schoolscience - Primary and Secondary
• Telephone Directories - BT
• Vision2Learn - Online Courses and Learning
• Which? University - Online information and advice to help students to find the right degree course and the right university for them.

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PressReader - Digital Newspapers

You can access complete digital newspapers in the Library or at home (with your Library card details) through PressReader.  

You need to enter your Library Card Membership Number (including the B) when prompted for your library barcode  (for example B761234567. Note that some numbers end with an X and you should include this too).

Popular publications from the UK and all around the world are now available 24/7 and in 60 languages.  There are dedicated iOS, Android BlackBerry and Windows apps for accessing PressReader on the move.

You can find help by viewing the PressReader guide (PDF, 185KB).

You can also listen to articles in the language of your choice using the PressReader App.

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Driving Theory Test Revision

Revise for your Driving Theory Test at work, home or in the Library.

You can practise answering over 1000 questions from the theory test question bank and prepare for the new 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. 

You'll need to:

• have an email address and password which will allow you to return to the site to continue your training or view your scores;
• enter your library card number (for example  B761234567. Note that some numbers end with an X and you should include this too) and answer a few simple questions to complete your registration;
• join the library before you can use this service.

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 four 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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Encyclopaedia Britannica

Encyclopaedia Britannica delivers reliable information fast.  You have access to three sites in one: Children, Young Adults, and the Reference Centre for older students and adults.

• Encyclopaedia Britannica Junior
• Encyclopaedia Britannica Student
• Encyclopaedia Britannica

To access Encyclopaedia Britannica from your home computer you will need to enter your Library Card Membership Number (including the B) when prompted for your library number (for example  B761234567. Note that some numbers end with an X and you should include this too). Temporary library card numbers (issued when joining online) can also be used.

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IELTS

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

IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) and IDP: IELTS Australia through more than 800 test centres and locations in over 130 countries.

Practical Writing helps library members who would like to improve their written English communication skills, and work on skills necessary for standardised English tests. Find videos and more information on the website.

You can access IELTS online in all Milton Keynes Libraries and from your computer at home.  You need to enter your Library Card Membership Number (including the B) when prompted for your library barcode  (for example B761234567. Note that some numbers end with an X and you should include this too). Temporary library card numbers (issued when joining online) can also be used.

The Road to IELTS can also be accessed on your mobile phone as well as your laptop and tablet.

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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Issues Online

Milton Keynes Libraries users can now search Issues Online for free.

Issues Online is the UK's first comprehensive reference source with articles addressing contemporary social issues including rights and discrimination, drugs, crime and the environment.

Issues Online provides a wide range of information including

• articles with news and views on each topic,
• facts and statistics,
• lobby group links,
• newspaper archives,
• reference sites,
• research guides and
• glossaries.

This makes it a very useful tool for school projects and general interest with more than sixty topics to choose from.

To access Issues Online you will need to enter your library card number (including the B) 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 Issues Online on the computers at libraries in Milton Keynes - just ask library staff to log you on.

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Naxos Music Library

Milton Keynes Libraries users can access Naxos, the world's largest classical music listening service. Naxos has a collection of over 130,000 tracks of music.

Naxos Music Library not only provides music but also includes text resources like opera synopses, libretti and study guides.

If you're using a computer in one of the libraries in Milton Keynes, you'll be able to access Naxos straightaway.

If you're using a computer outside the libraries, you'll need to use your library card details. Enter  the number on your library card (the letter B followed by nine digits) in the login box to access the database (for example B761234567). Note that some numbers end with an X and you should include this too. Temporary library card numbers (issued when joining online) can also be used.

Please note that this is a popular and busy service. If you cannot gain access immediately, please try again at a later time.

If you're not a Library member you can still access the Naxos Music Library on any of the computers in the Milton Keynes libraries. You could also join the library and start using the music library on your own computer.

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Online Payment of Library Fines and Charges

You can now pay library fines and charges online by debit or credit card. To pay charges online, you need to Log in to My Library using your library card number and PIN.

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 and these are detailed on the renewals page.

Your library account will show a link to your outstanding fines and charges. By clicking on this link, you can see how the outstanding total is made up.  From here, you can 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.

If you have registered for Verified by Visa or Secure Code you will be asked to enter that information as well.

Once you have confirmed your payment you will be able to print your page as a receipt giving you full details including a receipt number.

If you need further information, please read our detailed Online Payments Guidance (PDF, 321KB).

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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 2012. 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.

The service has now been upgraded to allow unlimited access to customers, eliminating any previous access issues.

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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Access to Research

Milton Keynes Libraries now offers Access to Research which gives you free access to over 1.5 million academic articles.  

You can get in-depth information on topics including: art, architecture, business, engineering, history, languages, politics, philosophy, mathematics and the sciences.

This is an ideal resource for small businesses, researchers and students.

This is accessible at all libraries that have public computers.

Ancestry

• Milton Keynes Libraries offers free access to the full Ancestry website.
• This website provides fully searchable access to all English and Welsh censuses from 1841 to 1911.
• Access to the Ancestry website is free in Milton Keynes Libraries but there is a charge for printing.
• This is accessible at all libraries that have public computers.

For more information visit the UK Census page.

If you'd like help using the website, you can view a detailed Database Guide for using the Ancestry Library Edition. You may also find ProQuest training videos on You Tube are helpful.

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Find My Past

Now includes access to the 1939 Register!

• The 1911 census is a record of everyone living in England and Wales in 1911. It provides a unique snapshot of the lives of your ancestors.
• This database can be searched for FREE at all Milton Keynes Libraries that have public computers using the Find My Past or Ancestry websites.
• From your home computer you can only access the 1911 census by using the PayAsYouGo website or by subscribing to Find My Past.
• Credits can either be purchased online or with vouchers purchased from the  Milton Keynes Family History Library.

For full details visit the UK Census page.

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Last Updated: 18 February 2021