Newspapers, professional training courses, consumer research, language learning… for free?

From preschool to professional, Plano Public Library has something for everyone. Not interested in reading? No biggie – PPL is #morethanbooks! See what’s available from your public library to use at home for all your educating and entertaining needs:

1. Watch virtual storytime on Facebook

(all ages)

Your Plano Public Library is hosting a daily storytime weekdays at 11 a.m. on the PPL Facebook page! Tune in for interesting stories, literacy tips, rhymes and songs, the hokey-pokey and of course to see the fantastic library staff you know and love. Virtual storytime is for the whole family.

2. Download books, audiobooks, magazines and newspapers

(all ages)

With your Plano Public Library card, you have access to thousands of books and audiobooks, hundreds of digital magazines and thousands of newspapers for free. Even with the library closed, you can sign up for a library card online and the library will reach out to confirm your account.

Access eBooks and eAudiobooks through the Libby app from Overdrive, available on Android, Apple and Windows 10 mobile devices, as well as through your Internet browser. Once you download the app or go through the browser, you’ll need to sign in using your library card number and PIN.

Browse digital magazines through RBdigital and Flipster apps. RBdigital has dozens of magazines covering a variety of topics, and you will need to register an account with an email address to begin. With Flipster, you will just need your library card number and PIN, and has magazines such as Time, Forbes, Essence and People. Both apps are available on Apple, Android and Kindle Fire devices, and each have a browser version to view on a computer.

Also with RBdigital (and new!) is access to thousands of digital daily magazines with Pressreader. Once you create your account on RBdigital, you will see a Newspapers section and the Pressreader portal. Access Dallas Morning News, as well as newspapers from across the globe and in a plethora of languages. You can use the RBdigital app or browser to see these papers.

3. Stream free classic films, documentaries and kid-friendly shows

(all ages)

Use your library card to access thousands of edutaining films through Kanopy and Kanopy Kids! You can view these films through your browser or on a variety of smart devices, including your television. You will need to create an account with an email address, and add your library card number to access this collection. Similar to other video streaming services (except the part that it’s free!), you can add movies to your Watchlist, browse curated collections and enjoy new films added monthly. Kanopy Kids has unlimited viewing, and regular Kanopy allows for five view credits per month. Luckily, they also have a collection of credit-free films you can watch without counting toward your five views.

4. Begin learning a new language

(all ages)

Pronunciator is a language learning resource available through Plano Public Library. Pronunciator is a free way to learn any of more than 163 languages, and includes live tutors, feature films, music with lyrics, pronunciation analysis, quizzes and more. ESL is available for 50 non-English languages, and there are language-learning opportunities for kids! You can use the browser or download the Pronunciator app for Android, Apple and Kindle Fire devices. You will need to register for an account to track your progress through courses. Pronunciator recently published a COVID-19 course that teaches vocabulary (e.g. “quarantine,” “fever”, etc.) and phrases (e.g. “I’m having difficulty breathing”) relevant to the coronavirus crisis for 101 languages.

5. Boost your professional skills with Lynda

(ages 13+)

Your library card gets you access to Lynda.com (aka LinkedIn Learning), which provides online training courses that cover a variety of topics and software from industry professionals. Your library card number and PIN get you instant access to learning paths (Become a Digital Illustrator), new and popular courses and opportunities to develop learning playlists. With topics like 3D and Animation, to Design and Developer, to Education and Video, there are many things to learn through Lynda.

If you do not already have a Plano Public Library card, be sure to register online here. One of our library staff will reach out to get your account complete. While the libraries are closed, follow Plano Public Library on social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) to watch virtual programs like storytime and other family activities, with plans for more!

Plano Public Library Locations and Programs >