Learning Resource Centre
There are lots free of audio and ebooks available for you to access from Audible and Wirral libraries. Miss Grainger, our Learning Resource Centre Manager, has put together her recommended picks to get you started!
Audible
Audible have released many audiobooks and stories for young people, which can be listened to through streaming online on PCs, tablets and smartphones.
https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
Audible Stories (Years 7 & 8)
The stories have been grouped into categories – for Years 7 and 8 we would recommend some of the stories on the ‘Elementary’ and ‘Tween’ tabs, as well as the ‘Literary Classics’ and ‘Folk & Fairy Tales for All’ options.
Some selected highlights for years 7 & 8 include:
Audible Stories (Years 9 & 10)
For Years 9+ we would recommend some of the stories on the ‘Tween’ and ‘Teen’ tabs as well as the ‘Literary Classics’ and ‘Folk & Fairy Tales for All’ options. Listen to the audiobooks through streaming online on PCs, tablets and smartphones.
Some selected highlights for years 9+ include:
Audible Stories (Years 11, 12 and 13)
For Years 11+ we would recommend some of the stories on the ‘Teen’ tab, as well as the ‘Literary Classics’ and ‘Folk & Fairy Tales for All’ options. Listen to the audiobooks through streaming online on PCs, tablets and smartphones.
Some selected highlights for years 11+ include:
Wirral Libraries – eBooks and Audiobooks
Although Wirral Libraries are currently closed to the public, they still offer a selection of eBooks and audiobooks for adults and young people to ‘borrow’ online. If you are already a member of Wirral libraries you can use your existing borrower number to register for online services (you will need to obtain your PIN for your account if you haven’t already done so). If you are not yet a member, you can sign up online in order to access their e-resources during the closure of the libraries.
1. Register for online services
To join up online please use the following link: https://wirlib-lds.wirral.gov.uk/BorrowerJoining/login
2. Choose your platform
Once you have joined and received your temporary Borrower Number and PIN, you can access eBooks and audiobooks in the following ways:
- On a PC via this link to access the BorrowBox and Overdrive collections: www.wirral.gov.uk/libraries-and-archives/e-books-e-comics-e-magazines/e-books-and-e-audio
- Via the ‘BorrowBox’ app on your phone or tablet. Search for ‘borrowbox’ in your app store or follow links at: www.borrowbox.com
- Via the ‘Libby’ app on your phone or tablet. Search for ‘libby overdrive’ in your app store or follow links at: www.overdrive.com/apps/libby
BorrowBox and Libby/Overdrive offer different selections. When you use the apps you will be asked for your local library – this will be Wirral Libraries/Birkenhead Library. You will then log in with your Wirral Libraries borrower number and PIN.
3. Borrow books
Ebooks/audiobooks can then be ‘loaned’ to you for a set period of time. There will be a limit on how many books you can borrow from each app at a time, and when the time limit expires they will be ‘returned’ and will no longer be available on your device. If you finish them before this time you can ‘return’ them so they become available for others. Some books will already be on loan, and you can place a reservation or ‘hold’ on these items.
Books will show up on all devices logged in using the same borrower number/PIN e.g. within your browser on a PC and on the app on your phone or tablet.
Each of the platforms/apps allows filtering. Libby/Overdrive offers a larger number of books, but BorrowBox does have some additional titles not available on there.
BorrowBox (Years 7 & 8)
For Years 7 & 8 on BorrowBox, we recommend selecting ‘eBooks / Children / All Releases to allow students to browse a wide selection. You can also search for favourite authors.
Some highlights include:
Libby/Overdrive (Years 7 & 8)
For Years 7 & 8 on Libby/Overdrive, we recommend selecting Kids / Juvenile / All Titles to allow students to browse a wide selection. You can also search for favourite authors or series e.g. David Walliams, Michael Morpurgo, David Baddiel, Anthony Horowitz, Jacqueline Wilson, Horrible Histories, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Tom Gates, Harry Potter, Dork Diaries, Goosebumps etc.
Some highlights include:
BorrowBox (Years 9 & 10)
For Years 9+ on BorrowBox, we recommend selecting ‘eBooks / Children or Young Adult / All Releases to allow students to browse a wide selection. You can also search for favourite authors.
Some highlights include:
Libby/Overdrive (Years 9 & 10)
For Years 9+ on Libby/Overdrive, we recommend selecting Kids/Juvenile / All Titles to allow students to browse a wide selection. You can also search for favourite authors or series e.g. Malorie Blackman, Eoin Colfer, Cassandra Clare, John Green, Terry Pratchett, David Walliams, Michael Morpurgo, David Baddiel, Anthony Horowitz, Jacqueline Wilson, Horrible Histories, Harry Potter etc.
Some highlights include:
BorrowBox (Years 11, 12 & 13)
For Years 11+ on BorrowBox, we recommend browsing from the full selection. You can also search for favourite authors.
Some highlights include (also check out the ‘Year 9+ highlights):
Libby/Overdrive (Years 11, 12 & 13)
For Years 11+ on Libby/Overdrive, we recommend browsing the whole selection. You can also search for favourite authors or series e.g. Malorie Blackman, Cassandra Clare, John Green, Terry Pratchett, Anthony Horowitz, etc.
Some highlights include (also check out the ‘Year 9+ highlights):
