Updates:
All the libraries are now temporarily closed. However, Durham County Library and Wake County Public Libraries have enabled you to get a temporary library card online that you can use for online services, like downloading books and audiobooks.
Durham County Library: As long as Durham County Library is closed, any Durham County resident, even people without a library card, can access all the online activities that go along with having a library card. (Some are listed below.) Just sign up with your mobile phone number for a temporary card. Your access will work as long as the library is closed. After that you’ll need to come in to a branch to make your card permanent. Get your temporary card here.
Wake County Public Libraries: Register for a library card for home. You’ll receive a temporary card number and PIN that are good for 60 days. This temporary number allowed you to use their online resources.
Libraries aren’t (only) what they used to be. Yes, they are still magical places with thousands of books to browse through, but if it’s been a while since you visited a library, you might be surprised at how much is offered now without visiting a branch.
As many of us are staying home, it’s a good time to learn about what a library card offer you from your own home. For free.
If your kids’ school ends up closing for a period of time, you’ll want to have plenty of options to keep them engaged, or at least busy. Your library can help.
We’ve put together a list of some of the benefits you get with a library card at Wake County Public Libraries, Durham County Library, Chapel Hill Public Library, Orange County Public Library, Chatham County Public Libraries and Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield.
Although some of these libraries may be closing for a while, the online services should remain available.
Note: This is not a complete list of the online services at any of these libraries. Make sure to visit the website for your local library for more information.
Wake County Public Libraries
OverDrive allows you to borrow eBooks, magazines, and Audiobooks. You just need your library card and PIN.
NC Kids Digital Library: Download eBooks for kids.
Durham County Library
TumbleBooks: a collection of animated, talking picture books. The collection includes story books, books in French and Spanish for language learning, non-fiction books, graphic novels, puzzles and games.
Kids’ Ebooks: Borrow eBooks of all kinds for kids, with your library card.
OverDrive: Borrow eBooks and audiobooks. You just need your library card and PIN. Borrow for up to 21 days.
RBDigital Audiobooks: Borrow up to 10 audiobooks at a time, for up to 21 days.
RBDigital Magazines: Free digital access to more than 70 popular magazines.
hoopla: Borrow video, music, comics, eBooks and audioBooks.
Acorn TV: British and international TV and film.
IndieFlix: Classic films, award-winning shorts, documentaries and more.
The Great Courses: Courses in history, health, science, language arts and much more.
NC Kids Digital Library: Download eBooks for kids.
Many more online courses: Your library card gives you accesses to many online courses, including from Brainfuse, Lynda.com, MIT Open Courseware and much more.
Orange County Public Library
Ancestry.com: Search census records, birth records, death and marriage records, newspaper articles, historical stories, photos, historical maps and more.
hoopla: Instantly borrow eBooks, audiobooks, comics, movies, music and more — 24/7, no waiting — with your library card. And no late fees, hoopla features an automated service that returns your item once your time is up. Check-out limit: 3 items/month.
NC Kids Digital Library: Access over 3,700 eBooks, audiobooks, videos, and Read-Alongs for young readers in the NC Kids Digital Library through OverDrive’s digital reading platform. All titles can be accessed via the app on all major computers and devices, including iOS, Android, Chromebook, and Kindle.
OverDrive: Borrow eBooks and audiobooks. You just need your library card and PIN. Borrow for up to 21 days.
Tutor.com: Students can get help with homework and test prep. Job-seekers can get help with resume writing, interview preparation and much more.
Chapel Hill Public Library
OverDrive: Check out eBooks, magazines, and audio books
RB Digital: Download audio books
Chatham County Libraries
NC Kids Digital Library: eBooks and audiobooks for kids
e-INC Library: The library’s main eBook site, for download to Android, iPad, iPhone, Kindle, Laptop, Nook.
Access Video: Films on Demand
Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield
NC Kids Digital Library: eBooks and audio books for kids
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