West Chicago Public Library Now Offers Downloadable Music from its Website

The West Chicago Public Library has joined Library Ideas™ network of public library websites that offer access to over 7 million songs, including Sony Music's catalog of legendary artists. The Freegal™ Music Service will allow the Library to increase the size and diversity of its collection by offering access to over 28,000 music labels from 85 different countries.

Under the terms of the agreement, registered Library card holders can download up to 5 Freegal™ Music tracks in the MP3 format each week at no direct cost via the Library website. An option for up to three hours of music streaming per day is also available where Library cardholders can access entire albums of music. Beginning in August, the service will also include popular music videos for download.

Freegal™ Music free mobile apps are available for registered card holders in the Apple® App Store and Google Play®. "The Library continually tries to keep pace with changing technology and offer our card holders access to many types of digital resources, including e-books, e-audiobooks, e-readers, databases, and public computers," said Library Director Benjamin Weseloh. "We are very excited to add downloadable music to our electronic options."

"Sony Music has an incredibly expansive and popular catalog and we are really excited to partner with them on this, a very important product for libraries," reported Brian Downing, co-founder of Library Ideas. "The participation of so many leading independent labels will also help the library reach as many patron groups as possible."