I’ve discovered that because Lewisham Library subscribes to the OED, I can access it from any computer with my library card. I know someone in Bury St Edmunds who can do so as well. So if you’re in the UK, it might be worthwhile to check to see if your local library subscribes and has an access link.

Bless you, kurwamac! I’ve just discovered that I can do likewise. What a wonderful discovery!

Edited for typo

For those in the US, it’s worth checking with your local library as well. The San Francisco Public Library allows internet access to the OED (and a bunch of good databases like Proquest Historical NY Times) to those with library cards. Other local libraries do too.

I’ve visited my local library, who say they have online OED access, but haven’t a clue how I can access it.  Can either aldi or kurwamac please help me?

Go to the library card signup page of the OED and enter your library card number. Good luck, Eliza!

Thanks very much indeed, aldi.  It works.  And thanks too, kurwamac, for telling us.

Sadly, here in benighted Wales, such facilities do not exist, but Aha! I thought, I have a brother who lives in a more civilised part of the world.  All I need is his library card number and I can access the OED masquerading as him.  It worked, too - now to me the news will run..(pace Tom Lehrer).

Thanks kurwamac, too.

I’ve just discovered that, by sharing their resources, 143 UK local authority libraries have access to the OED - and more - till March 2008.  See here.

Silly post. Edited out.

Maybe you could google the answer, skibberoo, just as I would have to.  Are you prepared to publish your library card number online?

ElizaD, You beat me to editing my post out. It was a silly suggestion/question.