The Allen Public Library is temporarily closing its doors for renovation, but librarygoers need not fret because a trove of digital services remains at their fingertips. During the closure, the library is gearing up for a move to a new temporary location at 800 E. Main Street, with its grand reopening slated for this fall. As patrons await the library's physical return, they're given a reminder that no material is due during the hiatus and returns are on pause until the library is back in action, according to the City of Allen.
While book stacks and reading nooks may be off-limits, Allen residents can dive into the digital library's rich offerings. The digital library is accessible with an Allen Public Library card, which locals can still attain virtually for a 90-day access window. Resources range from cloudLibrary’s trove of eBooks and eAudiobooks to NewsStand's digital magazines and Biblio+ array of streaming videos. The digital doors are open for linguistic expansion via Bluebird languages, or, parenting wisdom through ParentTV's expert videos.
In an age where content is king, ComicsPlus offers a kingdom of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga, ready for download without waitlists or turn aways. Likewise, the video streaming service biblio+ curates a commercial-free experience in films and television across genres. These services are integrated seamlessly within the cloudLibrary app for straightforward access.
For families, the new language learning platform for children, LOTE4Kids, steals the spotlight with eBooks and audiobooks offering a tapestry of stories in over 65 languages—each with English translations. No library card is needed to hop into the animated world of TumbleBookLibrary or delve into the pages of historical Allen American newspapers, dating back to 1972, a treasure trove digitized thanks to the TexTreasures Grant and the efforts of the University of North Texas Portal.
On the academic and professional front, TexShare Databases serve as a gateway to scholarly materials, while LearningExpress Library and Job & Career Accelerator address the spectrum of educational and employment aspirations without requiring a library card.
