If you're doing more and more of your reading and watching online, you're not alone. Digital sales and streaming services continue to grow. But before you give your credit card number to one more service, check out the thousands of books, ebooks, magazines, TV shows and movies you can borrow from your local library.
Getting started is easy. Just open the "Digital Library" tab on our website. For most of the resources listed here, there's a "Show Me How" video link right below the description on our "Digital Library" page.
• Libby
This app does it all. Whether you want the latest bestseller or your favorite author's backlist, you can find all sorts of ebooks and streaming audiobooks here. Caution: there may be a wait, so get on the hold list early. (And, if you finish before it's due, return it early and delight the next person in line!) You'll also find over 4,000 magazines for instant checkout. Best of all, you can send Libby titles directly to your Kindle.
• Hoopla
Hoopla has a wealth of digital titles for checkout in both ebook and audiobook format. They have a strong audiobook selection, and everything is available without a wait or placing a hold. Streaming movies and TV are also available here, including courses from MasterClass. Plus, you can set your Hoopla search to Kids Mode to find a curated selection of kid-friendly content.
• Axis360
Axis360 is another ebook and audiobook app available with your library card. It doesn't have as many titles as Libby or immediate availability like Hoopla, but it has a great selection of popular titles and sometimes a shorter wait.
• Kanopy
Are you a movie lover? Check out our streaming movie service. Kanopy has a wealth of movies and has a particularly strong selection of documentaries and foreign films. They've also got a great selection for kids. And Award Season fans will enjoy browsing their Academy Awards category for a selection of some past winners and nominees.
Our reach extends beyond books, magazines, and movies. For the newspaper reader: the library has great options for you there too. Visit the "Digital Library"" menu on our website from your phone or tablet to get fast and free access to the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Sun-Times and much more.
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The best part: all of this is free with your library card. If you need any help getting set up, give us a call at (630) 986.1976. And we're more than happy to set up an appointment for hands-on help if that's more your style. (Don't have a card yet? Stop by the front desk with proof of residency or apply online at http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info/welcome.)
- Lizzy Boden is the adult services manager at the Hinsdale Public Library.