Online resources for homework, study or general interest
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You can use our online resources for homework, study or general interest. You will find reliable information from some of the world's leading publishers.
All the resources are free. You will need your Barnet library card and PIN to use some of our digital services. If you have forgotten your PIN and need to change it or wish to reset it, this can be done online.
By using these sites you are entering into a direct relationship with the provider, not with London Borough of Barnet. For further details of how your information is used and what data they collect about you, please check the provider's privacy statement and notices before sharing any personal data.
We also have thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks available to borrow for free.
Biographies
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
Find information about individuals and groups of people who have shaped the history of the British Isles over 2,500 years.
Who's Who and Who Was Who
Search the latest edition of Who's Who and more than 100,000 records of people from Who Was Who (people who have died).
Books
To log into Who Else Writes Like...? and Who Next...?, please enter the prefix 'LBOB-' and your library card number.
Who Else Writes Like...?
Find new authors to try by searching for those you know and love.
Find recommendations for great children’s books based on your child’s favourite authors.
Dictionaries
Oxford English Dictionary
Search the respected dictionary of the English language to find out the origin and use of words.
Encyclopaedias
Britannica Junior
Information aimed at 6 to 10 year olds.
Britannica Student
You can search content for students aged 10 to 14 years old.
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Access the full Encyclopaedia Britannica and Britannica Book of the Year, including images.
Oxford Reference Online
More than 170 reference books in one place. Quick answers on a vast range of subjects.
Family history
You can use this popular family history website to search UK family history records. Access to this resource is only available from a library computer.
Specialist genealogy site for research into Jewish family history.
Languages
Language courses
Online language learning packages
Life skills
Go Citizen
New service to help you prepare for and practice the British Citizenship test.
Theory Test Pro
Prepare for your driving theory test with official test questions and hazard perception videos.
Develop your digital skills
Free courses from Learn My Way and Google Digital Garage.
Music
Stream and download millions of songs, free with your library card.
Explore over 20 million songs across more than 200 genres – completely ad-free and available anytime. Stream your favorite music instantly or download songs to listen offline and build a timeless music collection. Streaming is unlimited, downloads are limited to 3 tracks per week.
From today’s chart-toppers and timeless legends of pop, rock, jazz, classical, country, K-Pop to captivating soundtracks, children’s songs and so much more - the world of Freegal Music+ has something for everyone.
Log in with your library card and start listening right away, in your browser or through the free mobile app.
To use the Freegal Music+ app:
- Download and install the free ‘Freegal Music’ app from the App Store or Google Play
- When the download is complete, click ‘Open’
- When the Freegal app opens, type ‘London’ in the search bar and click ‘Go’
- From the ‘Choose your library’ list, click ‘Barnet Libraries’
- Enter your library card number and PIN, then click ‘Login’
- Agree to the terms and conditions
- Barnet Libraries Freegal Music+ service will now be available to use
Our classical music streaming service offers fantastic live concerts, operas and ballets from across the world.
Newspapers and magazines
Download the Pressreader app, sign in with your library card for free then read from thousands of newspapers and magazines from 100 countries in 60 languages. After 30 days log out and sign in again.
Choose from The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Jewish Chronicle, Empire, Elle and lots more.
You can also download a step by step guide to help get you started on the desktop version.
Download the Libby app or use the Overdrive website to borrow eComics and eMagazine titles such as:
- New Scientist
- National Geographic
- Radio Times
- and lots more
Research
Access to research
Access to a wide range of academic articles and research on subjects including art, architecture, business, engineering, history, languages, politics, philosophy, mathematics and the sciences.
Access to this resource is only available from a Barnet library computer.
Oxford bibliographies
Find out about bibliographies on British and Irish literature, including topics such as Arthurian Literature and John Keats.
You can also research Victorian literature including bibliographies on gender, Charles Dickens and many more.
Online access to Which? is available at all our libraries during staffed hours only. You will need to use a library computer to access their website and ask a member of staff to log in for you. Physical copies of Which? Magazine are available at Chipping Barnet Library.
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