Read Online
Help your patrons find free ebook and audiobook options during the COVID-19 pandmic.
Free Ebooks and Audiobooks
Storytime Resources
Online Storytimes
Free ebook and audiobooks:
Storytime resources:
Many publishers and authors have adapted their policies to let educators use their books for virtual storytimes. Here are some that we've found (check individual publishers for dates):
- COVID-19 Publisher Information Directory-of publishers that are temporarily lifting or adjusting their copyright guidelines and permissions, from School Library Journal. Some of these have expired.
- Peachtree's Read-Aloud Permissions - expired on December 31, 2021.
- Simon and Schuster's Online Book Reading Guidelines - through June 30, 2022.
- Lerner's Read-Aloud Permissions for Distance Learning expired on September 6, 2021.
- Scholastic Digital Read Aloud Permission - expired August 31, 2021.
- Penguin Random House Open License Online Story Time and Classroom Read-Aloud Videos and Live Events- extended until June 30, 2022
- Harper Collin's Permissions For Online Readings through June 30, 2022.
- MacMillan Content Use Guildelines - through June 30, 2022.
- Little, Brown Book-Sharing Permissions - expired on December 31, 2021.
- Houghton MIfflin Harcourt Read-Aloud Permissions - through June 30, 2022.
Online storytimes:
Here are some online storytimes and author events you can share.
- Operation Storytime famous authors reading children's books aloud.
- Storyline Online streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations.
- LaVar Burton Reads Reading Rainbow's LaVar Burton brings short fiction by Neil Gaiman, Haruki Murakami, Octavia Butler, Ray Bradbury and more to life in this regular podcast.
- Julie's Library- Julie Andrews reads aloud.
- #OperationReadAloud - a Facebook group to share and find author's reading their books aloud.