To access these resources, just go to the Northern Ireland Libraries website at www.ni-libraries.net and click on Online Library.

To make it easier for you to discover what Online Library offers, ask at your local library about ‘Discover Online Library’ which is a set of simple step-by-step instructions and tasks to show you how to make the most of each of the resources available. These guidelines are also free and staff in all libraries will be happy to talk you through accessing these online resources.

Through Online Library, you can access current and previous editions of 67 national and regional newspapers and magazines, including the following local newspapers: the Belfast Telegraph from January 22 2003; the News Letter from March 3 1998; The Irish News* from December 1 1995 (*not available from home) and the Irish Times from January 2 1995.

Online Library also gives you free access to@

• Encyclopaedia Britannica - Online version of the best known learning and reference resource

• Oxford Reference Online - Oxford English Dictionary, Dictionary of National Biography & 100+ other Oxford reference books

• Grove Art - 34 volume dictionary and companion to western art online

• Grove Music - Dictionary of music and musicians, opera and jazz

• Ability - Quarterly magazine on IT and disability for people in the UK

And for young people:

• Stories from the web - which is a website on children’s books and authors

• Britannica Junior Online - Encyclopaedia Britannica for 8 – 11 year olds

• Britannica Student Online - Encyclopaedia Britannica for 12 – 18 year olds

Online Library can be used from home by registered library users. You will need to have your library card number to log in, when asked for your library barcode (which is printed on your library membership card).

Simply go to www.ni-libraries.net and click on Online Library to browse though these online resources for free or call into your local library and ‘Discover Online Library’ today.