Now, you can download music for free. And legally.

The free and legal music download service, called Freegal Music, has been offered to Mason Public Library patrons, through their website, since early January.

When library page Julia Shepard wants to download songs by alt-country band Mumford & Sons, she uses the Freegal Music app on her tablet, which she downloaded from the Mason Public Library website at www.masonpl.lib.oh.us.

Once the library website is accessed, select “Freegal site - start downloading,” a user enters a library card number, library account password, accepts Freegal Music’s terms and agreements, searches for music by artist or song, downloads, and opens files on any computer, tablet or mp3 player.

Each library card holder can download three songs a week from more than 3 million song choices and 10,000 record labels, including Sony Music Entertainment, which represents such artists as Alicia Keys and Carrie Underwood.

“It’s important to keep up with the technology our patrons use and what they ask for,” said Mason Public Library Director Sarah Brown.

For the past year, patrons, mostly young, have inquired about digital music options. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County has offered the same service since 2011, and the MidPoint Library System (in Middletown, Trenton and West Chester Twp.), since last November.

Mason Public Library, which serves Mason and Deerfield Twp., offers 11,776 music CDs for check out. Last year, the music CD circulation was 26, 412.

If the download service is popular, Brown said the library may increase their paid subscription, allowing for more downloads per week. During the first week downloads were offered, 31 songs were retrieved, even before library promotion of the service.

Brown said this music service will add to the library’s planned 8,300 square-foot expansion, which will include a designated media area for music CDs, audiobooks and DVDs. The library will continue to acquire music CDs in addition to the download service.

“Downloading only takes a second,” said Shepard. “Now, people don’t even have to come to the library to get music.”

Music can be previewed before downloading by selecting the arrow by song title. The service is available 24/7 and songs do not expired once downloaded.