Digital library

Welcome to the British Council Digital Library! Here’s how to set up your account and access your resources:

One time sign-in and set up: 

After registering, you’ll receive an email titled ‘welcome to the British Council Digital Library’. Click ‘Set Password’ and choose a password for your account. 

The Digital Library app is powered by My LOFT, which provides instant access to all our digital resources, on any device. Please follow these steps for one-time sign-in on My LOFT.

Desktop access:

  • Open MyLOFT WebApp in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge at: https://app.myloft.xyz.
  • Select ‘British Council Digital Library’ as your institution and click ‘Sign in’ to British Council Digital Library’
  • The British Council sign-in page will open.
  • Select the country you are registered in. Enter your British Council account credentials (email in the welcome email, and password you just set)
  • Page directs to MyLOFT Home page, and you are now logged in into MyLOFT.
  • To get single-sign on access, you must click on ‘Add Extension’ in your browser store (Chrome WebStore / Microsoft Edge Add-ons). 

Mobile phone or tablet access:

  • Download the MyLOFT app on your Android or iOS phone or tablet from the Google Play store or Apple App store. Google Play store or Apple App store.
  • Open the MyLOFT app on your phone or tablet.
  • Select ‘British Council Digital Library’ from the drop down. Click on ‘Sign in to British Council Digital Library’ and your sign-in page will open.
  • Select the country you are registered in. Enter your British Council account credentials (email in the welcome email, and password you just set),
  • Your page directs to MyLOFT Home page – you are now logged into MyLOFT.

Why you must add VPN: When you log in for the first time to the Digital Library App on your phone, tablet, or any other smart device, you will get a notification to add the VPN. This is required to provide single sign-on access (we do not track your usage).

How to access the Digital Library Freemium resources

After logging into MyLOFT, you can directly access these free resources by clicking their icons on your ‘Explore’ page:

Freemium databases provided by the British Council: 

  • Music – The best UK music on Selector Radio
  • UK Film archive – Explore 100+ rights-free documentaries, mainly from 1940s wartime Britain 
  • Kids – Support your child’s English language learning with Free games, stories, activities, and resources for parents 
  • Research and Insights – Insights on international relations through arts, education, and English
  • English – Download research publications offering insights for English Language Teachers (ELT) and professionals.
  • Podcasts – Explore how arts, culture, and education are addressing global challenges.
  • eBooks – Open access books from various publishers, conveniently in one place.

How to access the Digital Library Premium resources

As a British Council Digital Library Premium member, you can access databases from publishers like PressReader, OverDrive, EBSCO, ProQuest, Kanopy, and more – all in one place. 

Your credentials are automatically saved, after you log onto My LOFT for the first time. Click on the relevant icons on the ‘Explore’ page to access your premium resources.

  • Newspaper collection from PressReader– (Icon: Newspapers)
  • Academic eBooks from ProQuest eBook Central – (Icon: ProQuest)
  • Research reports from EBSCO – (Icon: EBSCO)
  • Academic journals from JSTOR (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh only) – (Icon: JSTOR)

To access these premium databases, sign in again as a first-time user. After that, your credentials will stay saved unless you log off manually.

  • Audiobooks - (Icon: Audiobooks)
  • Magazines - (Icon: Magazines)
  • eBooks– (Icon: Fiction)
  • Comics - (Icon: Comics)
  • Concerts– (Icon: Concerts)
  • Movies– (Icon: Movies)
  • Training videos– (Icon: Training)

 For any support, contact digitallibrary@britishcouncil.org

One-time sign-in process to borrow Magazines, Audiobooks, Fiction, Comics, and Concerts

• Click on any database from Audiobooks, Fiction, Comics and Concerts under ‘Explore’, in the British Council Digital Library

• You will be taken to a page with the full collection of the database you selected

• Select any title on the main page, or search for a particular title to view its details screen.

• Click on “Borrow”. 

• You will be prompted to “Add Card”. Click on “Sign in with my Card”, followed by “Next Step”. Your account will be linked to audiobooks, eBooks, comics, and concert databases.

• Click on “Borrow” again to start reading, listening, or watching. 

One-time sign-in process to watch Movies and Training videos in the British Council Digital Library

Desktop access for Movies/Training videos:

• Click on the ‘Movies/Training’ icon under “Explore”.

• For first-time users, click on ‘Watch Now’ on the page.

• Add your library card using your Digital Library registered email ID. Click ‘Continue’.

• Enter your first name, last name, email ID, and password (same as your registered ID and password). Click ‘Sign up’.

• Your account is now created, and you can enjoy watching movies on your desktop.

Phone or tablet access for Movies and Training videos:

• Click on the "Movies/Training" icon under "Explore".

• For first-time users, click on “Watch Now” on the page.

• Add your library card using your registered email ID. Click ‘Continue’.

• Create your account by entering your first name, last name, email ID, and password (same as your registered ID and password). Click ‘Sign Up’.

• Your account is now created to watch movies on your phone or tablet, click on "Get the Free App" to download Kanopy. When you login to Kanopy for the first time, use your British Council library ID and password.

• Search, browse, and watch movies.

For any support, contact digitallibrary@britishcouncil.org. You can also register here for free monthly online onboarding sessions.

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