Digital Services

Waterbury Public Library patrons have access to a wide range of digital resources. Choose from the following categories:

Ebooks, eaudio books & digital magazines

Libby/Overdrive – eBooks & eaudio books

The Overdrive digital book collection is fully integrated into the Catamount catalog. Browse books in all formats with one search, and place holds or download ebooks and eaudio books right there.

Another option is to use the Libby App through Overdrive to access our collection of eBooks and Audio books. The Waterbury Public Library is part of the Green Mountain Library Consortium, offering you access to thousands of new and old eBooks and Audio books. We also use Overdrive/Libby for our own collection specific to our library. Login to Overdrive/Libby to access both the Consortium’s collection as well as our own.

If you have never created an account with Overdrive, please check out Overdrive Libby Getting started.

For those who have not yet tried the Libby app, all you need is your library card number and PIN number. Your PIN number is the last 5 digits of your library card number. Do not use any spaces in either of those numbers. The Libby app is easy to use and will guide you through the setup process and get you connected to our library in just a few minutes. You can find in-app support, or visit the Help Site or Libby Academy within the app for assistance.  Download the Libby App to get started

Aspen Discovery

ASPEN DISCOVERY is our new and improved library catalog interface. Aspen Discovery features a powerful search engine that makes it easier to borrow materials from the library, whether you are using a desktop computer or mobile device. Aspen visually arranges materials in large buttons horizontally at the top of the screen, in English and Spanish, for a more intuitive feel when browsing Fiction, Non-Fiction, graphic novels, audiobooks, ebooks, and more. Aspen also provides a smart text search feature for faster, easier search when browsing our catalog.

Aspen LIDA

Aspen LiDA is a great way to manage your account. Whether you’re searching for the latest bestsellers, placing holds and renewing books, or checking due dates, Aspen LiDA can keep tabs on everything going on with your library account.

With the Aspen LiDA app, you can even renew items, place holds, and access your digital library card!

DOWNLOAD THE ASPEN LiDA APP:

Note: Aspen LiDA is the recommended app for using the catalog and managing your library account on your mobile device. This does not replace Libby for reading eBooks and listening to digital audiobooks.

The Palace Project Logo

Palace- Library eReader App

The Palace Project app makes it easy to browse, borrow, read and listen to any eBooks or eAudiobooks on your mobile device.

Available from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

WPL’s Overdrive collection is available on Palace and can be accessed on both Libby and the Palace app. Beyond that, the Palace app includes a larger ebook and eaudio book collection from the Vermont Department of Libraries, which is not available on Libby/Overdrive.

At this time, Palace is not available on Kindle, PC, Linux, or other devices.

Palace is still in development, which means some features you find on other digital content apps may not be available yet.

Kanopy – Video Streaming

Kanopy is a video streaming service that provides instant access to thousands of critically acclaimed movies, documentaries and kids favorites. Kanopy partners with studios like A24, The Criterion Collection, PBS and more to bring access to thoughtful entertainment.

You can also access The Great Courses Library Collection by logging into Kanopy.

How to create an account

  • To get started, visit kanopy.com and select the “Add Library Card” button on the lower left.
  • Enter your library card number and password ( password is last 5 digits of your library card number).
  • Create an account using your preferred email.
  • Begin streaming!
  •  We recommend signing up in a web browser, but you can also set up your account in the Kanopy app for iOS or Android

PressReader – eNewspapers & eMagazines

PressReader is our new digital Magazine and Newspaper subscription service and contains over 7000 digital magazines and newspapers from around the world, in multiple languages. You can read these eMagazines and eNewspapers in the PressReader app which is available on most devices’ app store, or in your desktop/laptop’s browser.

To get started, choose your operating system or device:

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Getting Started

  1. Visit PressReader.
  2. Click sign in, and select the “Library or Group” option
  3. Select “Waterbury Public Library” and sign in with your library card number and PIN (last 5 digits of library card number).
  4. Finish creating an account that can be used on the app or select “No, thanks” to proceed without an account
  5. Sign into your account every few weeks to keep your app account active.
  6. Download the app for Apple iOS or Android to use PressReader on your mobile device
  7. On the app, you can download newspapers for offline reading without subscribing.

Streaming Movies, Documentaries & Concerts

You are able to access IndieFlix and The Great Courses through the Libby App, in a section called “Extras.” There will be a cap on the number of passes available to patrons each month. 

Checking out a 7-day pass for IndieFlix or The Great Courses will not count against your 3 title checkout limit for ebooks and digital audiobooks in your Libby account. For help getting started with Libby, see the top of this page.

 IndieFlix (now Libby “Extras”)

IndieFlix brings engaging stories to movie lovers around the world. Enjoy over 7,000 high-quality shorts, features, documentaries, classic TV shows and Web series from 85 countries. View films from major festivals all over the world, including Sundance, Cannes, Tribeca, and more! Sort by language, genre, or film length with easy-to-use filters. Contribute to films just by subscribing, because IndieFlix directly supports the filmmakers. Watch movies on any Internet-enabled computer, smartphone, or tablet with a Web browser! Also available on Roku, Xbox, and Apple TV.

IndieFlix is now part of Libby/Overdrive. The first time you use the service you must log in with your Waterbury library card. On the Libby/Overdrive website click on “Choose a Location” at the bottom right side of the screen. Follow the prompts from there.

Online Courses – Education

Gale Presents: Udemy

Gale Presents: Udemy is part of the Vermont Online library. Providing over 14,000 online video courses on topics ranging from business, technology, language learning, and more, Udemy provides a class for everyone looking to learn a new skill or upskill current ones. Click the logo to access Gale Presents: Udemy directly. If you have a current paid Udemy account you will not be able to transfer your content and certificates over. You will need to sign up through the link above and register for an account.

https://support.gale.com/doc/udemy-video1

The above link opens to a tutorial showing you how to access Gale Presents: Udemy, browse or search for courses of interest, and enroll in any of over 4,000 video courses to build new personal and professional skills.

The Great Courses Library 

Of the more than 500,000 college professors in the world, only a select few are chosen to teach one of The Great Courses. They include award-winning experts and professors from the most respected institutions in the world and were chosen based solely on one factor: their ability to teach.

The courses range from a myriad of subjects and includes:

  • History — Study ancient and biblical times, medieval Europe, Eastern and Western civilizations, as well as how these historical periods still impact society.
  • Health — Dive into courses on meditation, nutrition, natural healing and brain fitness.
  • Science — Learn from America’s leading scientists in numerous areas of study ranging from biology, astronomy & space, engineering & technology and beyond.
  • Language Arts — learning leadership, thinking and communication skills in both professional and personal lives are essential to get a head.
  • And Much More!

The best way to reach the Great Courses Library Collection is by logging into Kanopy.

Universal Class

Udemy is replacing Universal Class. Universal Class will continue until August 31, 2024.

Through a partnership with the Vermont State Library system, Universal Class, Inc. provides free online continuing education courses. It aims to advance intellectual exchange in teaching, research, and service with its technology and belief that lifelong learning should be affordable to all people of all cultures. With a growing course catalog of over 500 online classes, Universal Class is committed to providing only the most affordable and highest quality continuing education.

Mango Languages

Mango prepares learners for realistic conversations and strengthens everyday communication skills in over 70 world languages, including English.

Peterson’s Test and Career Prep

Peterson’s Test and Career Prep, is replacing LearningExpress Library. LearningExpress Library expires on May 31, 2024. Peterson’s has many comparable resources to Learning Express, including expanded CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) training options. The recently redesigned appearance of Peterson’s improves access and navigation to the many career, higher education, and high school oriented resources for your patrons.

Gale Presents: Peterson’s Test Prep – For Higher Ed Users
This tutorial will cover how to navigate and use Gale Presents: Peterson’s Test Prep. It will review what the resource contains, and how to use the resource. This will include setting up a user account, navigating the resource, and using tools to help prepare for tests.

https://support.gale.com/doc/PTP-acad-tutorial

Gale Presents: Peterson’s Career Prep – For Higher Ed Users

https://support.gale.com/doc/tutorial-36rjq

LearningExpress

LearningExpress Library expires on May 31, 2024

LearningExpress provides interactive tutorials, practice tests, e-books, flashcards and articles for academic skill-building, standardized test preparation, career development and more. These award-winning learning tools are available through multiple online platforms designed to help students and professionals achieve their educational and career goal.