Borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your local library with OverDrive

OverDrive is a free app that allows you to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from your local library; all you need is a compatible device, a library card and a local library that has signed up with the service. Although not all libraries use this app, many do and the number is steadily increasing. Books return automatically when the 21-day loan period runs out. It’s just like borrowing a library book, but you don’t have to get out of bed.

Getting started

Starting to use OverDrive is a little time-consuming compared to browsing for books, but it’s still not too much of a challenge. You’ll need an Adobe ID if you don’t have one already, and you’ll also need to locate your local library in the app and sign in to their catalogue. Once you’ve done that, you can browse through available ebooks and audiobooks, checking out or reserving titles that interest you. You can borrow up to five books at once. Once they’re downloaded, you can read them like any other ebook on your mobile device.

A useful app for book lovers

If you do a lot of your reading on your mobile device, or if you don’t have time to make it to your local library, OverDrive is a must-have app — assuming your local library uses it, of course.