Libraries are among thousands of businesses to take a hit during the COVID-19 lockdown. All libraries closed their doors following the Government’s announcement this week that we would enter a lockdown period of at least four weeks. Bookshops, of course, have also closed their doors during the lockdown.
So, what happens once we’ve read every book upon the shelf during the coming days, weeks, months until we’re given the all-clear to head back to our local library or pop down to our favourite bookstore? You may be tempted to buy a book online, but why put unnecessary strain on an already limited postal service, which is focusing its efforts on important deliveries such as blood, medical supplies, food, and essential home items. Save your money and read for free with the wealth of free e-book providers out there.
Libraries
You may be surprised to learn that most local libraries provide an online e-book service for members. Log on with your library card, and away you go. There are thousands of books available to borrow. As well as e-books, most libraries also provide online newspapers, magazines, films, music, podcasts, audiobooks, and a kids’ reading room. Some also give access to online video courses such as IT, business, and design.
To help keep your creative-arts juices flowing, Wellington City Libraries has begun a digital arts festival called “StayAtHomeFest 2020”, combining talks from favourite authors with links to their e-books and providing other digital resources.
Apps
Apple Books offers a selection of free books for all ages and has been promoting these as a “Stay at Home” collection for readers to pass the time while indoors during the pandemic.
Google Play Books also has a selection of free e-books; however, when I searched, it was unclear if they offered free children’s books since the “Top Free” section contained only adult fiction.
Other apps offer a trial period where you can download free e-books before starting a monthly or annual subscription.
Websites
A few sites that offer free e-books (some with free audiobooks) include BookBub, which also contains a host of great articles on books, including reviews and top-genre lists; Free-Ebooks.net with thousands to choose from; and one of my favourites, the Open Library, which is a non-profit, open-source, digital public library with the ultimate goal to “make all the published works of humankind available to everyone in the world”. The inventor of e-books, Michael Hart, founded the volunteer-run Project Gutenberg in 1971. The organisation is one of the oldest providers of online literature and focuses on older works and titles with expired copyright.
This is just a small sample of providers to get you going. With the thousands of titles available, it’s easy to get lost in the search. The coronavirus lockdown is giving us all a unique opportunity to slow down, take time at home with our families or on our own, and savour a good book. Enjoy!
PS . . . If you are planning to order goods online, here is a link outlining NZ Post’s availability.
