OverDrive

What is it?

  • A digital library platform containing thousands of eBooks and audiobooks, available to residents of Manatee County (not available to non-resident and reciprocal borrowers).

  • Borrow up to eight titles at a time and place up to sixteen on hold. Titles are automatically returned at the end of their lending periods, so you never have to worry about late fees.

  • Compatible with a wide range of devices:

Mobile Devices. Enjoy reading with the free Libby app for iOS, Android, and Windows 10.

eReaders/Kindle. Borrow titles online and download to your Kindle e-ink, Nook or other dedicated e-reader devices.

Computers. Use your Mac or Windows PC to download titles or simply read them in your browser using OverDrive Read.

Getting Started

Step 1: Connect to the library.

Mobile Devices. Download the Libby app in your device’s app store. You will be asked if you have a library card. Tap “Yes” to get started and then “Yes, Guess My Library.” The app will automatically use your location to find your local library, or you can select “I’ll Search for a Library” to search by name, city or zip code. Tap “Enter Library Account Details” and enter your library card barcode (back of card) and four-digit PIN. Click Next. You can also use the Libby app on your browser by going to libbyapp.com.

eReaders/Kindle/Computers. Visit the library’s website and click on the orange Download & Stream button. Click the OverDrive link and log in using your library card number and PIN to access the library’s subscription. You can then sign into your account by clicking the yellow “Sign In” button at the top right and entering your library card and PIN number again.

Step 2: Borrow titles.

Mobile Devices. Tap the search button at the bottom of the screen to perform a basic search. Tap “+ more” under "Explore with Filters" to filter your results by subject, availability, and more. Tap the book jacket for more information about a title. Tap “Borrow” to check out the title or “Place a hold” to get on the wait list.

eReaders/Kindle/Computers. Enter your search term(s) in the search bar at the top of the page. To search by multiple criteria, click “Advanced.” Select the book jacket for more information about a title. Click “Borrow” to check out a title or “Place a hold” to get on the wait list.

Step 3: Download titles.

Mobile Devices. By default, your device will automatically download titles (when connected to Wi-Fi) as soon as you check them out. You can adjust your download preferences by tapping the menu at the bottom center of the screen and selecting "Settings", and then “Change Download Rules”. Toggle between your bookshelf of loans and the library by using the “Library” and “Shelf” options at the bottom of the screen.

eReaders. Once you’ve borrowed a title, select the account icon to go to your Loans page. You’ll find the format options next to the title. Choose “Download EPUB eBook” to add the book to Adobe Digital Editions (downloadable at Adobe's website). When prompted, authorize ADE with a free Adobe ID. To transfer the title to your eReader, plug your device into your computer with your USB cable, then open the “Library View” in ADE (click the Library button in the top-left corner, if needed). From there, drag and drop the title into your eReader, which should appear on the left under “Devices.”

Kindle E-Ink. Once you’ve borrowed a title, select the account icon to go to your Loans page. You’ll find the format options next to the title. From there, choose “Read Now with kindle” and you will be redirected to Amazon’s website. Follow the on-screen prompts to “Get library book” and wirelessly deliver the book to your device.

Computers. Once you’ve borrowed a title, select the account icon to go to your Loans page. Click the “Read now in browser” option to begin reading immediately using OverDrive Read.

Renewing/Returning Items

 

  • Titles can be renewed within three days of their expiration. Simply click the Renew button as soon as it becomes available.

  • Titles are also automatically returned at the end of their lending periods (unless you’ve renewed). If you’d like to return a title early to make space on your shelf, follow the applicable instructions below:

Mobile Devices. From the Shelf view in the app, select the title you wish to return, click "Manage Loan" and choose “Return Early", then “Return!”

eReaders. If you’ve downloaded the title using Adobe Digital Editions, you can use the software to return as well. Open ADE and locate the title you wish to return in Bookshelves under Borrowed. Right-click on the title and select “Return Borrowed Item.”

Kindle. If you’ve downloaded the Kindle format, go to "Content & Devices" at your Amazon account. Under the Content tab, locate the title you've borrowed and click "Return this book" to the left of the title. This will remove it from your Kindle. To remove it from your OverDrive account, click Return from your Loans page.

Computers. If you’ve been reading with OverDrive Read, select “Return” from your Loans page.