Freegal: Streaming 24-7

 

If you have a Worcester Public Library card, you can now stream music on Freegal 24 hours a day, seven days a week! Listen to newly released albums, genre playlists and watch music videos from today's biggest artists. Read below to learn more about this free service. You can also watch our tutorial for tips on getting started with Freegal. 

Don't have a WPL card? Click here to apply for one. 

What is Freegal?

Freegal is a downloadable music service, like iTunes, available to all WPL card holders. No special software is needed to use the service, and there are no digital rights management restrictions.

How much music is on this site?

New music is added daily, but it's safe to say that there are thousands of artists, tens of thousands of albums, and hundreds of thousands of songs. The Freegal site offers access to about 15 million songs, including Sony Music’s catalog of legendary artists. The content is based upon a license with Sony Music Entertainment. 

How do Freegal downloads and streaming work?

With a WPL card, you may download three songs per week on your personal computer and then you may add the song to your personal music player. In addition, you have access to unlimited streaming.

What’s the difference between streaming and downloading?

Downloading is capturing and keeping the file on a permanent basis. Streaming is accessing the file on a temporary basis, while being connected to the internet. Streaming gives you access to more music. 

How do I download a song on my computer?

When you’ve found a song you want, click on the “Download” link next to your chosen song. At the prompt, select Save and choose where you want to save the song.
Note: Anytime you click on the “Download” link, even if you decide to cancel or play it, the download will count towards your weekly allotment.

Can I download a whole album?

Songs are available on an individual basis only. You can choose, over time, to download all the songs on an album. 

What can I legally do with downloaded or streamed music from Freegal?

The music you access via the Freegal site is for non-commercial purposes only. It comes with a license for personal use only. This means that you cannot duplicate it for others, or play it in public, other than for the intended enjoyment of a normal circle of family or friends. 

How do I get the Freegal Mobile App?

• If you have an Apple device (iPhone/iPad/iTouch), you will be able to download the Freegal® Music App by doing a search for “Freegal Music” in the App Store.
• If you have an Android phone or tablet, you will be able to search for “Freegal Music” in the Google Play store. As a precaution, while many Android devices successfully run the Freegal app, not all Android devices are compatible. Barnes & Noble tablet devices are not compatible with the Freegal app.
• You can download the Freegal app for your Kindle Fire through the Amazon Store. Freegal is supported on Kindle Fire 3rd generation and up.

How do I get started?

Click here to go to the Freegal website for Worcester Public Library. Click "login" on the top right and enter your WPL card number and PIN.

New Releases: February Edition

Check out these highly anticipated February releases featuring fiction and nonfiction titles. Click on the title to request a copy or get your name on the waitlist. Don’t forget to watch for more featured releases next month! 

Featured Fiction

The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

Jess needs a fresh start. She’s broke and alone, and she’s just left her job under less than ideal circumstances. Her half-brother Ben didn’t sound thrilled when she asked if she could crash with him for a bit, but he didn’t say no, and surely everything will look better from Paris. Only when she shows up, he’s not there. Ben’s neighbors are an eclectic bunch, and not particularly friendly. Everyone's a neighbor. Everyone's a suspect. And everyone knows something they’re not telling.

Not the Witch You Wed by April Fisher

Magic-less witch Violet Maxwell wants nothing to do with alpha wolf shifter Lincoln Thorne-the man who broke her fragile, teenage heart. But when the two of them are forced by arcane Supernatural Laws to find mates, Violet and Lincoln agree to fake-date in order to conjure themselves some time. When old feelings resurface-along with Violet’s magic-they both realize there’s nothing fake about the way they feel. But there are old secrets and looming threats that could snatch away their happily ever after. One thing’s for sure: magic doesn’t make dating and love any easier.

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

In this moving debut novel, two estranged siblings must set aside their differences to deal with their mother’s death and her hidden past—a journey of discovery that takes them from the Caribbean to London to California and ends with her famous black cake.

Featured Nonfiction

Funny Farm: My unexpected life with 600 rescue animals by Laurie Zaleski 

Laurie’s mom had a dream to run an animal rescue and Laurie was determined to help make that dream a reality even after her mother passed away. This is the the story of a life with 600 rescue animals and making dreams come true.

The Lonely Hunter by Aimée Lutkin 

After finding herself at a dinner party surrounded by couples asking about her dating life, writer Aimée Lutkin decided to start a social experiment. She set out to see if there’s a trick to escaping loneliness by going on hundreds of dates, reading books by all the experts, and exploring the wellness industrial complex.

The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman 

New York Times best-selling author Chuck Klosterman analyzes the iconic decade that was the 1990s. He talks about it all: the fall of the Berlin Wall, Titanic, the rise of the internet, 9/11, Seinfeld,  and much more.

WooReads Winter Reading Challenge For Adults: Patron Book Reviews

Enjoy this week's adult patron book reviews submitted through the WooReads: Winter Reading Challenge for Adults. Join now for a chance to win a L.L. Bean tote bag featuring the WPL logo. All you have to do is log at least 9 books from December 1- February 28 to be entered into the drawing. 

We have a variety of virtual programs this winter, so if you're looking for something to do from the comfort of home, check out our programming calendar here. 

 

From Cradle to Stage by Virginia Hanlon Grohl

Interesting individual stories about the moms behind the stars, commonalities in the children's temperaments, and how that is transferring to the current generation of rock stars. I recently read Dave Grohl's book and really respect his parenting decisions and choices in life, so wanted to follow up with this book by his former-teacher mom. ~ Linda J.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

I haven't read a space-based science fiction book in a long time and I thoroughly enjoyed this one! The characters are well developed and the descriptions really allowed me to imagine the settings and situations. This is the first book of 4 in the Wayfarer series and I will definitely be reading them all! ~ Michelle F. 

Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak

Health Aid, Olivia, returns home from assisting with Liberia's Haag epidemic. As a public health precaution, she and her family quarantine for seven days during the Christmas holiday. The lockdown creates a chance for them to be reacquainted/reconnect. It was a decent story, albeit I felt the pacing was slow. It was funny, a tad sad, and has a happy/hopeful ending. ~ Mary T. 

Later by Stephen King

A young boy finds he can talk to newly dead people. His mom tries to keep it quiet in order to keep him safe. Good read, great ending! ~ Karen S.

Reading Resources

Check out WPL's Most Checked Out Books for Adults to view the books that got all the buzz in 2021. See a book on the list that you've read? Write a review and we may use it for the next adult patron book review blog.

WooReads Winter Reading Challenge For Adults: Patron Book Reviews

We're back for another week of adult patron book reviews submitted through the WooReads: Winter Reading Challenge for Adults. Join now for a chance to win a L.L. Bean tote bag featuring the WPL logo. All you have to do is log at least 9 books from December 1- February 28 to be entered into the drawing. 

We have a variety of virtual programs this winter, so if you're looking for something to do from the comfort of home, check out our programming calendar here. 

Vanderbilt by Anderson Cooper

Interesting look at generations of the Vanderbilts from Anderson Cooper's place in the family. I could have done without the entire chapter on the America's Cup yacht race, but otherwise the book contained pieces of history that I didn't know much about. If you know a lot about New York, this book is right up your alley! 

~ Linda J.

Japanese Cooking with Manga by Alexis Aldeguer

Very fun idea for a cookbook! Loved the recipes, tips, tricks, and information all throughout! Loved the little characters too! ~ Sarina S.

 

Artemis by Andy Weir

Thrilling read. Loved the ingenuity of the main character!

~Sandra B. 

Mothership: Tales from Afrofuturism & beyond by Bill Campbell

Fabulous, huge collection of world SF, with a center of Afrofuturism. Some of the authors are familiar names, but many are new. I don't know how I missed this when it first came out. ~ Amy W.

Reading Resources

Find your next adventure at WPL! Did you know that the Main Branch has the newest fiction and nonfiction titles available on the first floor? With the Pop Reads section, you can grab and go, which is perfect for a quick trip to the library. No holds required!

Another way to quickly grab a book is to visit our displays on each floor. This month's topics include tropical mysteries, wintertime horror, celebrity recommendations, home organization, and history.