Do any of the following statements describe you?
- I have a boring commute.
- I’m tired of paying for all my eBooks and audiobooks.
- I would like to learn how to stream free music on my phone.
- I would like to learn a new language.
- I would like to get more use out of my smartphone or tablet.
Good news! Solutions are as close as your nearest library – or any device that links you to your library.
Problem of the month: How can I use new technologies and get free eBooks, audiobooks, music and movies?
Solution: Visit any GCPL location and discover all the resources that help you harness the power of your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Chances are good you can radically improve your digital life by visiting your library. Not only do we offer Digital Discovery classes that help you “meet the mouse,” but we also coach our customers in advanced Shutterfly techniques, using the cloud and finding research resources to help you learn a new language, get vehicle or product recall information and much more.
We’ve got the hottest eBook and audiobook titles, new music and movies. We can save you tons of time sorting through thousands of web-search hits by directing you to the one that you actually need.
Let’s consider all the time you spend in the car. Maybe you commute to Cleveland or Akron every day. You see the same billboards and hit the same potholes every day. Bring some joy to your ride by downloading an audiobook bestseller like The Revenant or The 5th Wave. Audiobooks not your thing? No problem. We’ve got lots of music including David Bowie, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Mozart and thousands more artists and composers in all genres.
OK, let’s say you already have a smartphone and have been paying Amazon and Apple iTunes your hard-earned cash to buy music and audiobooks. If you have a healthy appetite for music, stories and information, you could be spending a lot of money on streaming and downloading your tunes and books. Let us show you how to get your favorite authors’ and artists’ material for free.
If you have a tablet or computer or piece of software you’d like to explore more deeply, GCPL has the resources to help you make the most of your tech toys. And, speaking of toys, we’ve got plenty of video games you can rent.
This problem is the latest in GCPL’s “Problem? Solved.” campaign. If you have a problem you would like the library to help you tackle, ask your friendly, neighborhood librarian. We’ll help you find the resources you need. Whether you’re working on a term paper, wondering how to fill out an online job application or find your next favorite novel or music, we’ve got answers.
Here is a list of library resources that can help you get free books, music and movies on your devices and use new technology.
Audiobooks and eBooks, Movies, Music, Graphic Novels, Television Shows:
No holds. No waits. No overdues. Enjoy music for seven days, books for 21 days, TV and movies for three days. Stream or download up to 50 titles every month. When they’re due, they magically disappear. Learn more at the hoopla help page.
Audiobooks and eBooks
Our Overdrive collection contains an extensive assortment of new bestsellers from popular and classic writers. Most titles are available for 21 days. Holds may be necessary, but all titles will automatically be removed from your device once they expire. Learn more at the Overdrive help page.
Kids and Teens eReading Room
This collection is curated to showcase the best materials for kids and teens. Popular series and special lists for seasons, holidays, school projects and other categories are available here to make the browsing experience fun for this age group.
Learn a new language
Spanish? Chinese? German? Dozens of languages are at your library threshold. Use your library card and get the Mango app. Enrich your life with language and culture. Bonjour!
Little Pim is the number-one resource for children ages 0 – 6 to learn languages. The entertainment, immersion model makes it appealing to kids.
Online learning resources
BookFlix: Watch stories, read along, work puzzles, play games and more.
TrueFlix: Learn about history, science, people and places.
Visit our digital resource page for dozens of online databases with credible research resources. Get the best, third-party, peer-reviewed sources for papers and projects. Use Consumer Reports to research your next big purchase. Find scholarly resources for your next term paper with EBSCO Academic Search Premier.
Tech-help resources
iPad for Seniors for Dummies by Nancy Muir
My Android Phone by Craig James Johnston
My Samsung Galaxy S6 by Craig James Johnston, Eric Butow
My Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 by Eric Butow, Lonzell Watson
Android Tips and Tricks by Guy Hart-Davis
Programs
Do-it-yourself from the GCPL homepage program will take place in Middlefield. Choose from Wednesday, Feb. 24, from 6:30-8 p.m. or Thursday, Feb. 25, from 10 – 11:30 a.m. time slots.
Want to place a hold on the hottest new novel? Renew your books to avoid a fine? Compare products in Consumer Reports? Learn a new language before travelling abroad? Learn new computer skills? You can do all this and more from the comfort of your own home. Learn how at this informative program. Participants must be comfortable with computers and Internet.
