In times of crisis, we return to stories.

There’s no better time to escape with a good book or movie, and with a library membership you can do just that — for free — without leaving home.

Even though libraries have closed because of coronavirus precautions, many librarians are still working to connect you to what you need, and their online resources are as ready for you as ever.

There are ebooks, audiobooks, e-comics, e-music, movies, virtual story time for kids, and a whole lot more.

Here’s how to make the most of your library from home.

For adults

Read ebooks and listen to audiobooks

Laura says she’s been downloading ebooks and audiobooks to pass the time.

“The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart is beautifully narrated,” she tells ABC Life. “And I just finished and loved the ebook of How It Feels to Float by Helena Fox.”

CB Mako, a writer whose work has been published in Growing Up Disabled in Australia, is also a big fan of ebooks and audiobooks.

They have three apps and three library memberships. Some audiobooks they’ve enjoyed include Portable Curiosities by Julie Koh, and Room for a Stranger by Melanie Cheng.

Writer CB Mako has been enjoying Julie Koh’s Portable Curiosities as an audiobook from the local library.(Supplied: CB Mako)

If you’re interested, head to your library’s website and find the page about ebooks and audiobooks. This will tell you which apps to download to your smartphone or tablet to start borrowing.

Then simply browse the collection by category or genre and tap to borrow.

There are ebooks and audiobooks for both adults and children (more on resources for kids below).

If you’re not yet a member of your local or state library, don’t despair. It’s possible you might be able to register online for a library card.

Check your local or state library’s website to see how membership works in your area.

The only thing is, sometimes you have to be patient for popular items.

“The queue for Bruce Pascoe’s audiobook [Dark Emu] is so long, I’ve been waiting for months,” CB Mako says.

Read some more and research to your heart’s content

As well as being able to borrow ebooks, your library membership allows you to read magazine and newspapers online or learn a language with e-resources.

Libraries also give you access to journals and online databases.

Again, access varies from library to library, so check with yours to see what’s available.

And if you’re curious about researching your family history, check out NSW State Library’s guide on how to begin.

Watch movies and documentaries (yes, for free!)

Many libraries give you access to Kanopy, which enables you to watch movies and documentaries online.

“You don’t even need to visit your library to set it up. You just log in from home with your library card and pin number,” says Dylan Behan from Sydney.

So far, he’s enjoyed classic Australian movies such as Lion, Puberty Blues, Wake In Fright, and Ten Canoes, as well as documentaries such as Supersize Me, Helvetica, and I Am Not Your Negro.

Tanyia Harrison is a librarian and has also been using Kanopy.

“We found some great resources for homeschooling. I found some science docos which my 13-year-old watched today instead of science class at school.”

Fiona Tuomy is the director of The Other Film Festival and has been using Kanopy for research to watch hard-to-source arthouse and documentary films.

She says that as well as being a way to watch films for free, the selection of films is often different to those on main user platforms.

“Also, royalties from Kanopy go back to local filmmakers,” she adds.

For kids

Read ebooks and listen to audiobooks

Again, check your library’s website to see which ebook and audio app to download, then search by children or young adult.

Melina is an educational resource maker form Brisbane, and she’s set up her son with an ebook app called Libby.

“He has plenty of books at home, but it makes him feel much better to have the range of a library. Plus, he’s outlined a detailed plan around borrowing, which is making him feel in control,” she says.

Meanwhile, Nicole’s daughter is also enjoying getting her stories via an app.

“My 12-year-old now has an ebook app on her phone and is loving having access to the Harry Potter books,” she says.

Watch virtual story time and story time recordings

Storytime and Rhymetime may have been cancelled at your local library, but there’s good news, too — libraries are keeping storytelling alive with virtual story times.

Here’s an ever-growing list of virtual story times around the country. It’s been made possible by a special copyright agreement between the Australian Library and Information Association and authors and publishers due to coronavirus.

Meanwhile, some libraries like Cessnock City Library are making story time videos for you to enjoy at any time, featuring ukulele-playing storyteller Sandy on a grand mayoral chair.

It means that even in these ever-changing times, you can still rely on the familiar ups and downs of Incy Wincy Spider.