Free Online Resources
This area of the website provides you with access to a number of external online services.
eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and eNewspapers
Torfaen Libraries offers e-books, e-audiobooks, e-magazines and eNewspapers to download FREE to your tablet, smartphone, laptop or desktop. These resources work just like normal library loans but return themselves automatically so there are no overdue charges. All you need is a valid library card and the right app for your device.
e-books and e-audio books
The BorrowBox service provides a wide range of e-books and e-audiobooks in English and Welsh. Fiction and non-fiction books are available for both adults and children. You can download up to 10 e-books and 10 e-audio books at any time for a 21 day loan period.
e-newspapers
The BorrowBox service also offers a wide range of e-newspapers, including regional and national titles. Back copies are available and customers can subscribe to forthcoming editions.
BorrowBox can be accessed through an app on your mobile device (available for Apple, Android and Amazon devices) or via the Torfaen BorrowBox website.
The app can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play Store. Please refer to BorrowBox’s ‘How To’ guide for help installing the app on Amazon Kindle Fire devices.
eMagazines
Over 1000 magazine titles to choose from covering a wide range of subjects and interests. There is no limit on the number you can download, and you can access back copies as well. Download 24/7 direct to your mobile device via the Libby app or to your PC or Mac via the Overdrive website.
If you need help accessing any of these resources, come along to our IT drop-in sessions:
- Blaenavon Library
- Wednesday - 14:00 - 16:00
- Cwmbran Library
- Tuesday - 14:00 - 15:30
- Thursday - 10:00 - 12:00 and 14:30 - 16.30
- Pontypool Library
Research
Access to Research - gives free access to a wide range of academic articles and research in public libraries across the UK. Subjects include art, architecture, business, engineering, history, languages, politics, philosophy, mathematics and the sciences, with around 15million + articles are readily available. (Accessible via PC's and wifi in library buildings only).
Find My Past and Ancestry - Discover your family history and build a family tree with two of the world’s premier family history websites. Search birth records, census data, obituaries and more. (Accessible via PC's and wifi in library buildings only).
Which? Online - Buying guides and reviews from the popular consumer magazine online. This resource is only available in Libraries. Please ask a member of staff to log you in.
Living and Learning
Theory Test Pro - Theory Test Pro is a highly realistic online simulation of the UK's driving theory tests for all vehicle categories. It contains all the official test questions licensed from the DSA, the people who set the tests.
Useful Links
National Library of Wales - The National Library of Wales offers a wide range of subscribed electronic resources, ranging from scholarly journals to encyclopaedias and newspapers.
Open University - OpenLearn from The Open University aims to break the barriers to education by reaching millions of learners around the world, providing free educational resources and inviting all to sample courses that their registered students take – for free! With over 650 free courses, spread across a variety of subject areas, we hope you'll find something that interests you.
Welsh Libraries - This is your one stop portal for Welsh Libraries – you can find out what’s happening in libraries, search for books, join online, locate your nearest library, ask tricky questions, read book reviews, and lots more.
Last Modified: 28/11/2023
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