That’s right. Switching from physical to digital books doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy the benefits of a public library. The process of checking out books isn’t quite as simple as walking into a library and getting lost in the bookcases, but it does work well once you get past the initial setup.
How does this differ from checking out physical books at a library? Well, actually, it’s quite similar. There are only a certain number of ebooks available. If they’re all checked out, you can place a hold. You are allowed to have the ebook for a set number of days, after which it’s automatically returned.
What You Will Need
TL;DR: You need a Kindle or the Kindle app and a library card from a library that participates with OverDrive. That’s it!
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How to Find ebooks from Your Library
The first thing to do is find an ebook to rent from your library. To do this, you’ll need to visit the website for the library that you have a card with. The screenshots below are specific to my library, but it should be a similar process.
Find your library on the OverDrive search map using a desktop web browser such as Chrome and select “Visit Library Website.”
This will take you to your library’s website or to the network that your library belongs to. Click “Sign In” and enter your library card number. You might have to select your specific library if you’re on a network website.
Next, search for a book that you want to read. From the results, use the search filters to see only “Kindle Books.”
Find a book that’s labeled as “Available” and select it.
Now, simply click the “Borrow” button.
Choose how long you want to borrow the book. The options are usually 7 or 14 days. Then, click “Borrow.”
A confirmation pop-up will appear with some extra information. The next step is to click “Read Now With Kindle.”
How to Borrow ebooks on Your Phone
The process described above was done in a web browser on a computer, but you can also check out books with OverDrive’s handy “Libby” app. The process is similar, but we’ll show you how to do it.
Download the Libby app on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
Once it’s installed, the app will ask whether you have a library card. Tap “Yes.”
Next, you’ll have a few options for selecting your library. The “Yes, Guess My Library” option will use your location.
After you’ve selected your library, you’ll be guided through entering your library card number.
Once that’s all taken care of, you’ll be ready to search for ebooks. Use the Search tab at the bottom to do this.
Use the “Refine” tool on the results page to select “Kindle” in the “Supports” section.
Find a book that says “Borrow.” Books that aren’t currently available will say “Place Hold.”
Tap “Borrow” on the book information page.
Select how many days you want to borrow the book, and then tap “Borrow.”
Make sure that you’re signed in with the same account as your Kindle e-Reader or app, and then click “Get Library Book.”
This all might seem like a complex process, but it’s pretty easy after you’ve finished all the initial library searching and signing in with your card. From here on out, it’s just a matter of finding books and sending them to your Kindle. Happy reading!
