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Project Gutenberg

Seventy thousand public domain books, plain and free, from the oldest digital library on the internet.

Opens in a new tab. We do not control this site and it may have changed since we catalogued it.

How to get the most from it

Project Gutenberg sits in Free Libraries under Learn, filed as coffee break.

  • Set aside five to fifteen minutes and give it your proper attention.
  • It works on a phone or a desktop, so open it on whatever is nearest.
  • It works with the sound off, so it is fine on a train or in a quiet office.
  • No account needed — you can start without signing up.
  • Go in expecting something useful, cosy and nostalgic.

About this category: Public-domain books, scanned art, academic archives and collections built by people who cared far too much about one subject. Bring time.

Good for

  • Filling a coffee break properly
  • Getting something practical done
  • Somewhere low-key to settle into
  • A trip back to the older internet
  • A quiet break at your desk
  • Killing time on your phone
  • Trying it with zero commitment

Project Gutenberg: quick answers

Is Project Gutenberg free?

Yes. Project Gutenberg is free to use and needs no account.

Do I need an account to use Project Gutenberg?

No. You can use Project Gutenberg without signing up for anything.

Does Project Gutenberg work on a phone?

Yes. Project Gutenberg works on phones as well as desktop browsers.

Is Project Gutenberg safe for work?

Yes, we file it as safe for work. It also works muted.

How long does Project Gutenberg take?

We file it as "Coffee break": Five to fifteen minutes of proper attention.

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