eLibrary for patients, visitors and staff
We're working in partnership with Gloucestershire Libraries to promote free digital library services, including thousands of eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and eNewspapers that can be enjoyed via your smart phone, tablet, or laptop.
Why access our digital services during your hospital stay?
Reading can be a mood booster and have a positive impact on your mental health.
Long waits can be boring and a hospital stay can make you feel lonely:
- Reading a newspaper can help you stay connected to the world and reduce feelings of isolation.
- Audio books bring the joy of a good story to all regardless of ability to read.
- Love your magazines? Our eMagazines cover everything from celebrity gossip, sport, soaps, nature, and more.
Digital services
If you have access to a smartphone, tablet or laptop, you can access the hospital Wi-Fi (or your mobile data) to access:
eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazine can be downloaded and read or listened to offline, i.e. even if there is no Wi-Fi. However, don’t worry if your device is running out of space, you can read via the website, or download a few chapters at a time.
More information is available on the web pages linked above, including how to set up the apps and borrow digital books, magazines and newspapers. how to set up the apps and borrow books.
Library Membership
To use any of the digital services, you will need to be a Gloucestershire Libraries member. See the options below if you live outside Gloucestershire
Existing library members
Your membership will expire periodically, so please check that your membership is still active before any planned inpatient care. You can check your membership status by contacting or visiting a local library, or via the Contact us.
If you have changed your name or address, please visit a library to provide some evidence of your new details. However, if you are unable to visit, please contact us with your new details and we can temporarily change your membership to Instant. This enables you to use online resources until you can visit in person.
To read online newspapers, you will need a Gloucestershire library card with a number that starts with 77 e.g. 771234123X or 7712341234. If your card has a different pattern of numbering, please contact the Library as above.
Forgotten your Library PIN?
If you cannot remember your PIN, you can re-set at a library or online
Resetting your library PIN will not remind you whether your library membership is active or expired.
New library members who live in Gloucestershire
If you are not already a member of Gloucestershire Libraries, you can join online.
If you have previously been a member and you are still on our system, please see the process for existing members above.
To read Online newspapers, you will need to convert your online membership to either a full or instant membership, please contact the library as above.
New library members who live outside Gloucestershire
If you work or study in Gloucestershire, or live in a county adjacent to Gloucestershire, you may join for free by visiting any Library in the county. If you do not have a Gloucestershire address, you will not be able to join online.
If you live outside these areas, please check the available resources from your local Library Service: