Digital Media Guide
Borrowing ebooks and audiobooks, downloading podcasts, and streaming media such as movies, music, and even comic books, from Free Library has never been easier. In this guide, we'll offer tips and information to get you started or troubleshoot any issues you may be having access downloadable and streaming media and digital titles from our catalog.
Guides
- New to ebooks? Start Here
- The Simplest Way to Read ebooks: Overdrive READ
- Getting ebooks for Your Tablet, Phone, or Mobile Device (Including Apple, Android, Kindle Fire, Nook Color, and Nook HD devices)
- How to Add Library ebooks to Your Kindle
- Getting Library ebooks for Your Nook Simple Touch or Similar e-reader
- Downloading audiobooks from the Free Library
- Hoopla: ebooks, audiobooks, Movies, Comic Books, Music, and More
- Request This Download - Discover and Download Digital Items in our Catalog
- Streaming, Downloading, and Listening to Podcasts
Links
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Google Play
Enjoy millions of the latest Android apps, games, music, movies, TV, books, magazines & more, including the Overdrive Media Console and Hoopla apps. -
iTunes App Store
Browse and download apps to your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch from the App Store, including the Overdrive Media Console and Hoopla apps. -
Kindle App Store
Instant access to thousands of the most popular free and best-selling apps and games, including the Overdrive Media Console and Hoopla apps. -
NOOK Store
Your one-stop-shop for all things NOOK.
ebook Classics by StaffPicks
Great public domain reads you can download for free.
Latest Audiobooks by FreeLibrary
Latest Audibooks added to our collections.
Electronic Resources
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American Song
Listen to over 50,000 recordings from America's past; songs by and about American Indians, miners, immigrants, slaves, children, pioneers, and cowboys; songs of Civil Rights, Prohibition, the Civil War, and more.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Audiobooks from Overdrive
Download audiobooks from Overdrive to your PC, Mac, or mobile device. Get the Libby app to borrow on the go. Watch this short video to learn more
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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BookFlix *
Bookflix pairs classic storybooks with related nonfiction books - all in streaming format - to build a love of reading and learning.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Classical Music Library
A comprehensive database of distinguished classical recordings offered in streaming format. The Classical Music Library also includes anthology playlists linked to the major music history and appreciation textbooks.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Contemporary World Music
This resource includes contemporary and traditional world music including tracks of reggae, worldbeat, neo-traditional, world fusion, Balkanic jazz, African film, Bollywood, Arab swing and jazz, and other genres.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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eBooks from Overdrive
Available in a variety of formats, here you will find the Library's Overdrive ebook collection. Get the Libby app to borrow on the go. Watch this short video to learn more
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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eBooks on EBSCOhost (formerly NetLibrary) *
Approximately 17,000 electronic books in all subject areas from careers to classics to Cliffs notes.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Freading
Downloadable ebooks for Free Library of Philadelphia library card holders.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Free Library Podcasts
The Free Library Podcast is an easy way to participate in the author events and lectures that take place at the Central Library. Visit Author Events for upcoming events and information.
Available To: Unrestricted, free web resource
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Gale eBooks (formerly Gale Virtual Reference Library)
Explore over 500 nonfiction, fully searchable reference titles. Access accurate information on science, literature, history, social science, and more.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Hoopla
Stream movies, TV, music, and audiobooks directly to your computer or mobile device. These tutorials will show you how to get the most out of hoopla
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Input
Input was a local Philadelphia panel discussion program, airing Sunday mornings from 1968 through early 1971
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Jazz Music Library
Jazz Music Library will be the largest and most comprehensive collection of jazz available online.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Kanopy
Instant access to thousands of critically acclaimed movies, documentaries, and kids favorites. Stream up to four movies per month with your library card. Create an account to get started
Available To: All Free Library agencies and Internet with authentication.
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Music Online
Find and listen to music from a variety of genres
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Overdrive Kid's eReading Room
Download ebooks and audiobooks for readers ages 0-12. Get the Libby app to borrow on the go. Watch this short video to learn more
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Popular Music Library
Find a wide range of popular music from around the world, including pop music, alternative, country, Christian, electronic, hip-hop, metal, punk, new age, R&B, reggae, rock, soundtracks and more.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Project Gutenberg Ebooks
A curated collection of 34,000 downloadable ebooks in epub format. These classic titles are out –of-copyright. There are no checkout restrictions, waiting lists, or restrictions.
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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RBdigital Audiobooks (formerly OneClick)
Downloadable best-selling and classic audiobooks. Check out this guide to learn how to register and login to your mobile or browser account
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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RBdigital Magazines (formerly Zinio)
Read and download your favorite magazines online. Check out this guide to learn how to register and login to your mobile or browser account
Available To: All Free Library locations and online with your library card.
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Upcoming Events
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Saturday Morning Cartoons
Need to get out of the house on Saturday morning but have nothing to do? Come join us at the Field Teen Center for… more details
Sat, April 4, 2020 9:00 AM
Parkway Central Library
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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Saturday Morning Cartoons
Need to get out of the house on Saturday morning but have nothing to do? Come join us at the Field Teen Center for… more details
Sat, April 11, 2020 9:00 AM
Parkway Central Library
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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Saturday Morning Cartoons
Need to get out of the house on Saturday morning but have nothing to do? Come join us at the Field Teen Center for… more details
Sat, April 18, 2020 9:00 AM
Parkway Central Library
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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Saturday Morning Cartoons
Need to get out of the house on Saturday morning but have nothing to do? Come join us at the Field Teen Center for… more details
Sat, April 25, 2020 9:00 AM
Parkway Central Library
1901 Vine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
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Blog Posts
Step Aside Netflix, BookFlix Rules!
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Learn and Practice English at Home with Your Library Card
The Free Library of Philadelphia is a great place to learn and practice English . If your English classes have been affected by closures related to COVID-19 , there are library resources available online to help you continue your…
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Check Out Online Magazines for some Home Cooking Inspiration!
While you’re checking out the library’s amazing collection of ebooks, movies and music , don’t forget about one of our most vibrant options- magazines! With RBdigital Magazine , you can browse over 100 popular…
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Keeping You and the Kids Busy While Social Distancing
While we all practice social distancing with schools and libraries closed for at least two weeks to help flatten the curve of COVID-19 , what exactly are you (and your kids!) going to do with yourself? A lot of us have to-be-read piles…
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Audiobooks 101
Audiobooks offer a great way to escape while you’re working, cooking, or cleaning. They have also been proven to help struggling readers access literature . But a battle still rages: audiobooks vs. reading . Which side are you on?…
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Join the Free Library for Online Storytimes and Virtual Activities!
**Upated to reflect new virtual programs on March 26 at 3:23 p.m.** While we’re sad that our buildings are closed for now , our Free Library librarians and staff members are taking some of your favorite programs online…
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ebooks 101
New to ebooks? Here’s a short guide to getting started with ebooks at the Free Library. Finding ebooks Search our library catalog by title, author, subject, or another term. In your search results, ebooks will be labeled with a…
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In the Kitchen with Children and Youth
Involving youth of all ages in the kitchen is a great way to help open up young minds to new foods. Check out our ideas that don’t need a knife or other sharp tools. And remember, before chopping it up in the kitchen, check…
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Spotlight on Digital Media | The Return of 13 Scary Movies to Watch on Friday the 13th
Today, March 13, is the first of two Friday the 13ths occurring in 2020. I've penned posts in the past of full of screamingly scary streaming selections and now I've returned to shock and surprise you with 13 more from our…
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Digital Media Spotlight: Black History Month
For this month's Digital Media Spotlight , we are celebrating Black History Month and the lives and achievements of African Americans in film, music, literature, and other multimedia, all available through our Digital Media Portal.…
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Digital Media Spotlight | New Year, New ebooks!
For this month's Digital Media Spotlight , we turn our attention towards ebooks and the news that in 2019, the Free Library reached the 1 million+ ebook checkout mark ! And it would seem public libraries, in general, were having a…
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Newest Additions to the National Film Registry
For Hollywood, the time spanning November through March is known as "film awards season" . Between the People's Choice Awards , Golden Globe Awards , the Oscars , the Golden Raspberry Awards , as well as…
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Spring 2020 Author Events Preview
As we head into the roaring '20s, let’s look forward to the Spring 2020 Free Library Author Events schedule , highlight a few of our guests, and offer up some other important details... Tickets go on sale to the public today,…
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Meet Your Library Staff: Brandon Waddington – Kensington Library Digital Resource Specialist
As part of our ongoing series of blog posts highlighting our awesome staff throughout the Free Library of Philadelphia, today we take some time to speak with Brandon Waddington, a Digital Resource Specialist at the Kensington Library .…
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Digital Media Spotlight | Season's Streamings with These Unique Holiday Television Specials and Movies
The holidays are in full swing, and that means your television, web browser, and anywhere else you can watch video on is currently inundated with holiday programming. And as comforting as A Charlie Brown Christmas or a Rankin/Bass…
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The Free Library's New Center for Digitization | Sharing Treasures Through Technology
" If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday" Pearl S. Buck Putting the contents of libraries and museums on the web makes wonderful, hidden art accessible. The Free Library of Philadelphia has…
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Digital Media Spotlight | New Audiobooks for Holiday Travels
It's getting close to being "the most wonderful time of the year", or, if you have to travel far and wide—over the river and through the woods even—you may need some help getting to where you need to be for…
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Introducing the Free Library’s Author Events YouTube Channel!
We know that not everyone is lucky enough to live in Philadelphia. For those who aren’t able to make it to our diverse line-up of author talks in person—no worries! You can now watch them streamed live on our new Author…
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Digital Media Highlights October 2019 | Streaming Screams Just in Time for Halloween!
At the beginning of each month, we highlight all the great new titles —books, ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and music—that have been added to our catalog and will be available to check out at your neighborhood library .…
