A-Z Resources

B

Beanstack

Beanstack is like a smart watch or fitness tracker for your reading goals. The app version has many built-in features like a barcode scanner and timer to make this process very easy—it's way better than paper and pencil!

  • Log your reading progress by page, minute, or book, it's up to you.
  • Beanstack can also send book recommendations by email based on your reading interests.
  • We also use this site for our summer reading program and other online events.  

Learn how to create a Beanstack account and use the app or website.

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C

ComicsPlus Full Catalog eBooks New! Library Card Required.

Enjoy unlimited access to thousands of graphic novels, manga and comics from a variety of library-friendly publishers. The Comics Plus Full Catalog allows you to access content for all ages, including adult content.

Every title is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on your computer, tablet or phone -- no holds or wait lists required.

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E

Enki Library eBooks

Enki Library is an eBooks platform created by libraries in California with great content from indie publishers.

  • You do not need a library card to access: it's freely available to anyone on the internet located in California.
  • If prompted, enable location services on your phone or web browser.
  • Enki borrowing will not appear in your Palo Alto library account.
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F

Flipster Newspapers & Magazines

A next-generation digital magazine service for browsing the latest issues of popular magazines on your mobile device or computer. Popular titles include:

  • Consumer Reports
  • People
  • Time
  • The Atlantic
  • Forbes
  • Sunset 

Check out Flipster FAQs if you need help.

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Freegal Music Music Library Card Required.

Download and stream music to your computer or device. You can also create playlists for listening to later.

  • 3 million songs
  • Over 10,000 labels
  • Over 60 countries

Limits:

  • Downloads: 5 per library card per week.
  • Streaming: 3 hours per day.
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H

Hoopla Audiobooks eBooks Movies & TV Music Library Card Required.

Download and stream digital content to your computer or device:

  • Streaming movies & TV.
  • eBooks
  • eAudiobooks
  • Graphic novels
  • Music albums
  • Medici.tv (7-day checkout)

Limit 3 checkouts per month per library card.

We invite you to also try Hoopla's BingePass collection, which allows unlimited streaming of an entire series for seven days with just 1 checkout. Every three months you will also find the Bonus Borrows collection featured on their homepage. Bonus Borrows do not count against your 3 checkout per month limit and are a great way to try something new.

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I

IndieFlix Movies & TV Library Card Required.

IndieFlix is a movie service that offers access to pop culture favorites, box office hits, award-winning feature films, documentaries and shorts.

Unlimited access is available via the Libby website or the Libby app by following the steps below:

  • Add your library card number to log into Libby
  • Scroll down and click/tap on the "Extras" section
  • Click/tap on "IndieFlix"  to get your 7-day pass

You can always get another 7-day pass to IndieFlix by repeating the above steps after the previous access expires.

If you need help with Libby, please contact Libby Support.

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K

Kanopy Movies & TV Library Card Required.

Stream great movies to your PC or device, including:

  • Great cinema from the Criterion Collection.
  • A broad collection of foreign films.
  • Engaging lectures from The Great Courses.
  • Documentaries from PBS.

Viewing Limits

Customers get 9 tickets per card per month which can be used to watch videos via Kanopy. For more information on tickets, please see this explainer on tickets.

Get Started

Watch Kanopy Tutorial online to get started. Check out Kanopy FAQs if you need help. 

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L

Libby (Overdrive) Audiobooks eBooks Movies & TV Music Newspapers & Magazines Library Card Required.

Libby, provided by Overdrive, is a platform for eBooks, audiobooks, magazines and streaming video.

  • Almost 3000 eBooks
  • Over 3600 audiobooks
  • Over 3000 magazines such as The New Yorker, Discover, National Geographic, Forbes, and Newsweek

Libby also provides additional streaming services:

  • Qello concert and performance streaming, plus films on music. 
  • Indieflix films and documentaries from emerging filmmakers 
  • Great Courses college-level lectures and literature

Access:

  1. Click the Libby Link
  2. Follow the prompts to sign in with your library card. We are a member of the Northern California Digital Library (NCDL).
  3. Note that you may need to scroll down or click the "more" button to see our library in the list.

Check out the Libby FAQs if you need help.

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LinkedIn Learning Library Card Required.

Choose from thousands of online courses to learn in-demand skills from real-world industry experts.

  • software development
  • business and project management
  • creative skills and software training (Adobe, 3D animation, film making, etc.)

Access

  • Desktop users: Enter your library account number and PIN with our special link.
  • Mobile users: Use library code "paloaltocitylibrary" and then enter your library account and PIN on the following screen.
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M


Medici.tv New! Library Card Required.

Watch classical concerts anywhere.

  • Symphonies
  • Operas
  • Ballet
  • Documentaries

This collection is available through Hoopla as a 7-day checkout.

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P



Q

Qello Concerts Music Library Card Required.

Qello Concerts is the world's largest collection of full-length concerts and music documentaries. 

Unlimited access is available via the Libby website or the Libby app by following the steps below:

  • Add your library card number to log into Libby
  • Scroll down and click/tap on the "Extras" section
  • Click/tap on "Qello Concert" to get your 7-day pass

You can always get another 7-day pass to Qello by repeating the above steps after the previous access expires.

If you need help with Libby, please contact Libby Support.

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