Everyone likes getting something for free, right? How about free music to enjoy on your computer, smartphone or mobile device? Boyd County Public Library can give you that.

One of our newer offerings, Freegal Music, lets you download free music – up to three songs a week – and the music is yours to keep. No need to worry about due dates or late fees. Hot artists like Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Kenny Chesney and Adele are just a few of the millions of offerings on Freegal.

Maybe you’re looking for soothing tunes to help you relax, or something upbeat to keep you moving while you’re exercising. Or, perhaps you like pulling down the shades and cranking up the volume (Spandex optional here), to jam to your favorite rock tunes on your air guitar! You know what you like, and Freegal has it; their current song count in the U.S. is 2.7 million songs, in more than 220 genres. And it’s constantly growing.

But wait, there’s more! Freegal 4.0 with Freegal Plus is coming soon – bringing you exciting new features. The 4.0 upgrade means 5 million new song titles and free music video downloads from the largest music video catalog in the world, all for free.

Freegal Music predicts by the end of 2013 they will have 7.5 million songs from 28,000 labels originating from almost 100 countries. That will virtually guarantee that everyone can find something to experience and enjoy.

Freegal Plus will give you three hours of music streaming each day. You can listen from a pre-selected playlist or from a personal playlist you create, with the titles you want to hear. The streaming music option not only gives you access to tons of music each week but it also gives you the opportunity to discover new titles and genres, listen to the entire song and decide if it is worthy of one of your three weekly downloads.

So, now that you know about Freegal Music, how do you get it? It’s incredibly easy. All you need is a BCPL card and your 4-digit PIN (the one you selected when you got your card). Go to www.thebookplace.org, and click on the Databases tab. In the drop-down menu, select the eBooks category to locate Freegal Music. From there, it’s self-explanatory.

The Freegal Music app let you access this service with your smartphone or mobile device. Simply download the app to your wireless device, open it, enter your zip code, select Boyd County Public Library, enter your library card number and PIN and start enjoying your free music instantly. If you have any questions or need assistance with accessing this or any other library services, just ask at any or our public service desks, or call (606) 329-0090.

So, now you have access to them too. Just go to www.rollingstone.com, then tab over to our site, and put a hold on your favorites. The Top 500 list includes something for everyone – from The Beatles to Michael Jackson to The Mamas and The Papas. There’s Hank Williams Jr, of course, and choices for hip-hop fans, such as Dr. Dre and Run D.M.C. Of course, no list would be complete without a little AC/DC. There are even movie soundtracks on the list – Purple Rain and Saturday Night Fever, to name a couple.

Check it out!

What do “Billie Jean”, “Pumped Up Kicks”, and “Scream” have in common? Besides being hit songs, they are three songs that I downloaded Sunday afternoon.  Best part is I did it quickly, legally, and free from Freegal, the library’s new music service.

I had just purchased four other songs from iTunes for $1.29 (each plus tax) when I remembered about it.  It took me less than 10 minutes to login (library card number and PIN), find the songs, download them, and open them in iTunes.  Best of all…they are mine to keep!

Now there are some limitations.  You only get three a week but Monday morning you get to start all over again.  The music catalog is huge and full of chart toppers (and oldies but goodies) but it doesn’t include all artists.  Though you won’t find Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, or Maroon 5, you will find P!nk, Train, Kelly Clarkson, and Adele…and those are just the pop charts.  You will also find traditional genres like Country, Rock, Classical, and Smooth Jazz.  As well as genres I’ve not ventured into like Acid Punk, Psychobilly, Christian Rap, and Volksmusik.

So if you would like to build your music collection, try a new genre of music, or just don’t want to contribute directly to an artist, check out Freegal.  It’s free, legal, and yours to keep thanks to Boyd County Public Library.

The Library would like to announce the addition of two new services – Freegal Music and Freading (ebooks).

Freegal Music is an online database that provides access to songs from Sony Music. The music files are DRM-free and do not expire, and are compatible with PCs, Macs, iPods, iPads, smartphones and other MP3-compatible devices.

The Freegal Music Service will allow the Boyd County Public Library to increase the size and diversity of our collection by offering access to over 10,000 music labels from 65 different countries.

Boyd County Public Library cardholders are eligible for three MP3 downloads per week.  A library card number and PIN is necessary to access and download songs.

Our eBook collection is growing thanks to over 20,000 titles that are always available 24/7 with your Boyd County Public Library card and Freading. That’s right – no waiting lists, no overdue fees! Check out titles for 2 weeks with an additional 2 week renewal period if needed using your Freading tokens.At the beginning of each week, you are given 4 tokens, which can be used to download Freading eBooks. Each eBook costs 1, 2, or 4 tokens depending on the release date of the title.

• Four tokens – titles less than 6 months old
• Two tokens – titles 7 months to 2 years old
• One token – titles older than 2 years

Unused tokens roll over to the next week, but all tokens reset to 4 again every four weeks.

To view, browse and download music from Freegal or ebooks from Freading, go to www.thebookplace.org and scroll to the bottom of the page, under the Services Menu select “Freegal Music” or “Freading.”

Freegal Music and Freading Apps are available in the Apple App Store and Google Play (Android devices).

• Count Basie & Sarah Vaughan
• Live Session! by Cannonball Adderley
• Them Dirty Blues by Cannonball Adderley
• The Best of Chick Corea
• The Best of Herbie Hancock
• Charlie Parker at Storyville
• Genius of Modern Music, Volume 1 by Thelonius Monk

These were all on the 1st page of the Blues & Jazz genre and there are 78 pages today.  I know there are other ways to download free music, but I bet it will be hard to find many of the titles found in OverDrive.  It is truly a great resource.

These albums are available for download to a PC, Mac, and iPod as well as other mediums as listed.  If an album is currently checked out, you can be placed on the waiting list just like you would for a physical book or CD.

Checkout OverDrive

Click here for B’s Tumblr. Be warned, this site will suck your day away. She’s posted personal photos, videos, and messages you won’t find anywhere else. You can also find Beyonce’s movies, music cd’s, and concert videos at our library by clicking here.

Cold War Kids is a four man group fronted by Nathan Willett and his amazing voice. Their sound has been described as punk and soul, sonically potent, and passionately honest. When I got home from New York I started downloading their songs immediately. BCPL has their latest cd Mine is Yours, and I highly recommend you check it out! I will be seeing them live this summer at the Firefly Music Festival. I am so jealous of my future self.

Similar bands: Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse, Kings of Leon,The Black Keys

She swept the Grammy’s this past February, winning every category she was nominated for including album of the year. Did you see her acceptance speech? So stinking adorable! If you haven’t heard her sing, this girl and her voice – - Adele delivers. I promise, I promise you will love her.