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Go digital and download or stream books, magazines, newspapers, music, movies and online resources to your computer, tablet, eReader or smartphone.

Library app

Merri-bek Libraries now uses the library software Spydus, which has an app you can download from the Apple Store or Google Play Store. After you have downloaded the app, you will need to choose Merri-bek Libraries and sign in with your UserID or library card number and password (if you haven't changed your password, it will be your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format).

The Spydus app lets you browse the catalogue, borrow eresources, and keep track of the items you have borrowed and reserved. You can also store your library card barcode digitally so you don't need your physical card. The app also lets you scan an ISBN barcode on a book to check if the item is in Merri-bek Libraries and make a reservation if it is.

How to use the eLibrary

Your library card isn't just for borrowing regular books, you can also use it to access the eLibrary. In order to borrow, download or stream from the eLibrary you will need to login with your full library card number without the A and B (20003xxxxxxxxx). If you haven't changed your password, it will be your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format.

eBooks and eAudiobooks

eBooks are books in a digital format and eAudiobooks are recorded books in a digital format. You can download both eBooks and eAudiobooks to a computer, laptop, tablet, eReader or smartphone. To use an eBook or eAudiobook on your device or computer, you may need to download special software. The Help pages on the supplier sites explain the software you need.

Some titles are held on multiple platforms so make sure you check, especially if there is a long waiting list!

Bolinda BorrowBox
Download the free BorrowBox mobile app to read or listen to a wide range of titles across all genres, for all ages, on smartphones or tablets. You can borrow or reserve up to a total of 10 eBooks and eAudiobooks at a time. Loans are for two weeks and you can renew your loans up to four times.

Libby from OverDrive
Read online or download the free Libby app to read or listen to books and magazines on your smartphone or tablet. You can borrow up to 10 titles at a time and place up to 10 holds. Loans are for three weeks. Libby also includes multi-lingual content, with eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines available in Arabic, Chinese, French, Greek, Italian, Nepali, Polish, Sinhala, Spanish, Turkish and Urdu as well as English. All genres and ages are included!

uLibrary
uLibrary features a great selection of eaudiobooks, including titles by bestselling authors such as Maggie O'Farrell, Ann Cleeves, Graham Norton and more. You can borrow up to 10 titles at a time for 3 weeks. uLibrary is also available as a free app from the App Store or Play Store.

You can also watch our videos on how to use BorrowBox eBooks and eAudiobooks, and how to use OverDrive on your computer or ereader or on a mobile device.

Free eBook internet sites

You can also download or read eBooks online for free from some internet sites.

  • Project Gutenberg: Over 40,000 out-of-copyright titles to read online or download in different file formats.
  • Open Culture: Great classic titles to read online or download in different file formats.
    Authors include Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.
  • Many books: Over 29,000 titles to read online or download in a wide range of file formats.
    Titles include Crime and Punishment, Anne of Green Gables and The Art of War.
  • Internet Archive: Wide range of fiction, children's books, historic texts and academic books.
  • Google Books: Preview books and download PDFs of out-of-copyright titles.
  • University of Pennsylvania: Over a million books to read online. Mostly American academic and historic titles.
  • Bartleby: Classic American literature and some reference works. Includes King James Bible. Online reading only.

eMusic

eMusic is music in digital format that you can either stream or download and save on a computer, laptop, tablet, smartphone or other device to listen to at your convenience.

Freegal eMusic

Freegal provides free access to around seven million songs from a variety of music labels. You can use Freegal on your computer or through a free mobile app. Freegal offers a choice of thousands of artists and includes many different music genres, with both music and music videos available to stream or download. 

You can stream 5 hours of music or music videos per day. Downloads are all in the MP3 format with no digital rights management (DRM) issues, and will work with any MP3 player. You get 5 free downloads per week, with songs counted as 1 download and videos counted as 2 downloads each.

Login with your full library card number without the A and B (20003xxxxxxxxx). If you haven't changed your password, it will be your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format. You can also watch our video on how to use Freegal.

Library of Congress National Jukebox

The Library of Congress National Jukebox provides historical sound recordings free of charge. Including recordings from the Library of Congress and other libraries and archives, recordings in the Jukebox were issued on labels now owned by Sony Music Entertainment.

eNewspapers and eMagazines

eNewspapers and eMagazines are just like reading the print version, but on a computer or your mobile device. Login with your full library card number without the A and B (20003xxxxxxxxx). If you haven't changed your password, it will be your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format.

NewsBank

Access Global NewsBank offers newspaper coverage from around the globe and across a wide range of subject areas, letting you search for topics and information. You can also browse titles by date, including full image editions of The AgeThe Herald-Sun and The Australian.

Libby magazines

Libby offers Australian and international magazines, with content available in English and 11 languages. Read magazines online or download them to read offline. A free app is available.

Flipster

Access Choice and Choice Computer through Flipster. Read online (watch our video if you need some help) or download the Flipster app for Apple or Android to read offline.

eMovies

Kanopy

You can access Kanopy and sign up to start streaming films instantly. You can stream up to 10 free films each month, from any computer, television, mobile device or platform by downloading the Kanopy app for iOS, Android, AppleTV or Chromecast.

Beamafilm

With Beamafilm you can access thousands of great award-winning movies, documentaries and series from your favourite device. There is no limit on the number of films you can view.

To access Beamafilm, you will need to choose Merri-bek Libraries and enter your library card details. You will then need to set up an account with your email address or sign in using Facebook or Google. More detailed instructions are available from the Beamafilm website. A free app is available. 

We also have a video to help you get started streaming movies.

eReference works

Explore reference works in a whole new way online with encyclopedia articles at three levels, local and family history resources, and resources on learning to drive, as well as reputable sources of information about health and the law. Login with your full library card number without the A and B (20003xxxxxxxxx). If you haven't changed your password, it will be your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With three levels of information for children, teens and adults, Encyclopedia Britannica offers much more than just encyclopaedia articles. You can also explore images, videos and related research in journals and ebooks and even translate information into different languages. You can access Encyclopedia Britannica either at the library or at home.

Ancestry Library Edition

Merri-bek library members can have free access to Ancestry Library Edition database at Merri-bek Libraries. You will need to visit one of the libraries in person to use the Ancestry Library website.

Ancestry Library Edition has many types of records you can search, including births, deaths and marriages, immigration and shipping, directories, census, and military records for many countries.

You can learn our search tips by watching a short Ancestry Library Edition video on our Merri-bek Libraries Youtube channel.

Health resources

Law resources

Explore current law resources from The Law Library of Victoria and State Library Victoria.

Online learning

Aussie Driver

Preparing for your VicRoads learner permit test? Aussie Driver provides all essential information and manuals on road safety, traffic regulations, road signs and rules, plus self-paced practice tests with answers. There’s also a scored Test Simulator to check that you are ready to take the VicRoads test.

Mango Languages

If you are looking to learn and prepare for realistic conversations and communication in a new language, we recommend using the tools on the Mango languages website. The tools on this site are available in over 70 world languages including Spanish, French, Greek, Italian, and English. You will need to set up a profile with your email address, full library card number without the A and B (20003xxxxxxxxx) and a password you can set yourself. You may want to keep this the same as your library card password. Once you have set up your profile, you can login with just your email address and password.

Road to IELTS

Road to IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is an online preparation and practice resource for learning how to read, write and speak English. The resource is available at two levels:

Login with your full library card number without the A and B (20003xxxxxxxxx). If you haven't changed your password, it will be your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format.

Children's eResources

Login to these children's eResources with your full library card number without the A and B (20003xxxxxxxxx). If you haven't changed your password, it will be your date of birth in DDMMYYYY format.

StoryBox Library

Listen to your favourite stories read by the best storytellers on StoryBox Library. Watch videos of Justine Clarke, Nick Cave, Missy Higgins, Peter Hitchener, Andy Griffiths, Sally Rippin and many more making great Australian books come alive. StoryBox is also available through a free app.

Busy Things

Play and learn with Busy Things! With activities in the areas of literacy, numeracy, creative development and general knowledge, learning has never been so much fun! Suitable for ages 3-11.

LOTE4 Kids

Read and listen to children’s eBooks. Learn a language through storytelling on the LOTE4Kids website. With over 40 languages from all over the world, each book is provided with an English translation to help develop multilingual listening and reading skills. You can also enjoy LOTE4Kids through their app on the Google Play Store website or the Apple App Store website.