ASHLAND, Ky. — The cold, wintery weather is here but you don’t have to leave the comfort of home to check out your favorites from Boyd County Public Library.

Library cardholders can stream movies, television shows and music, and can download books, magazines and newspapers for free from the library’s website at www.thebookplace.org.

“People can actually library from their couch,” said Library Director Debbie Cosper. “Most everything that is available by visiting the actual library also is available from the library’s website.”

The library is home to more than 500,000 digital items available for free to cardholders by accessing its website at www.thebookplace.org. In addition to checking out items to download and stream, the library also offers free online classes including foreign languages, test prep, tutors, arts and crafts, and reference materials for car repairs and research databases.

Library cards are free for residents of Boyd County with photo ID and address verification. Reciprocal borrowing agreements allow patrons for many surrounding counties including most in Eastern Kentucky as well as Cabell and Wayne counties in West Virginia and Lawrence County in Ohio to use library services. BCPL cardholders also are eligible to use services at libraries in these counties.

For more information, contact the Boyd County Public Library at 606-329-0090 or visit one of the branches.