What is Libby by OverDrive and how does it work? (2024)

Getting Started

Please watch this short, informative video if you are a first-time user of the Libby app by OverDrive.

If you're new to OverDrive and digital borrowing, consider using Libby OverDrive, a user-friendlyapp for borrowing digital books and audiobooks from the library'sOverDrivecollection. The Libby app is available for free from your device's app store.

What do I need to useOverDrive?

Tablet, smartphone, PC/Mac computer, or Kindle device.
Valid San Francisco Public Library card number.
Patience — it may take a few attempts to access your first eBooks and eAudiobooks, especially if you're new to digital borrowing.

You may also use ourlibrary catalogto borrow OverDrivetitles. After you have checked them out, be sure to use the Libby apporOverDrivewebsiteto access your checkouts.

NOTE:If you experience problems with the Libby app, you may accessOverDrivefrom a web browser. After checking out items, use theRead now in browserorListen now in browseroption.

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What is Libby?

Libbyis a readingapp for accessingdigital contentfrom the library'sOverDrivecollection. This free app, created byOverDrive, is available for Android andiOS (iPhone/iPad/iPod touch) devices.Libbyis highlyrecommended if you'renew to digital borrowing. If you like Libby, you won't need to use any other library app for ebooks and eaudiobooks.

Here are the steps to install and use theLibbyapp.

Get theLibby by OverDriveapp from your device's app store (e.g. Google Play, Apple App Store).
Tapthe Menu icon (3 horizontal bars) and Add Library.You can search for the library by name, city, or zip code.
Type your 14-digit card number and PIN/password. If you don't know your PIN/password, you can reset or create it using ourPin Reset Tool.
Browse the various book carousels or tapthe magnifying glass icon to search for a title.
When prompted to check out a title or place a hold, sign in with your 14-digit library card number and PIN/password.
Borrowed titles appear on yourShelfand download to the app automatically so you can read them when you're offline.

From yourShelf, you can:

TapStart ReadingorStart Listeningto open a title.
Tap the cover image, thenSend to Deviceto send a book to Kindle.

If you can't getLibbyon your device, you can try using the originalOverDriveapp. For more help, visithelp.overdrive.com.

You may also access Libby from your Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge browser atlibbyapp.com.

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Checking Out

How do I check out titlesfrom OverDrive?

Click on a title's cover. If the title is available, click "Borrow." If you are using the Libby app, your title should load immediately.

For more information about checking out and downloading titlles, visit the OverDrive Digital Help page.

How long is the lending period for an eBook or eAudiobook?

The lending period is 21 days for an eBook or eAudiobook.You can adjust the checkout time to 7 or 14 days if you don’t need the full 21 days.

How many titles can I check out at once?

You can check out up to 25titles at one time. These are not counted against your physicalmaterials limit.

What is theOverDriveRead/Listen format?

It is aformat that allows you to reador listen toOverDrivetitles in most web browsers.

How do I get aneBook on my Kindle?

Libby gives you to option to read your ebook in the Libby app or send it to your preferred Kindle device.See theseinstructions on accessing library ebooks on a Kindle reader.

Can I use Audible with my Kindle Books?

No, Kindle Books checked out from the public library are not compatible with Audible.

Can I keep my eBook checkout history?

Unfortunately, the Checkout History or Borrowing History function that you can set up with your library account would only contain the list of physical materials (i.e. books, DVDs, CDs, etc.) you’ve checked out / returned (if you have it turned on).Because eBooks can be checked out from various eBook vendors, our library catalog, which is connected to your library account, is not currently capable of retrieving this data;hopefully in future upgrades of our library catalog this will be possible.

InOverDrive’s website, there is mention that some versions of the app will contain a history of your checkouts (unless you had uninstalled and reinstalled the app).If you had checked out Kindle-formatted eBooks fromOverDrive, you would be able to see a list of your checkouts from your Amazon account (if you haven’t deleted them).Please look in "Manage Your Content and Devices" within your Amazon account.

Why can't I read this PDF eBook in theOverDriveapp?

Unfortunately, PDF eBooks are not supported by theOverDriveapp. If you've borrowed a PDF eBook from thelibrary, you can download it to the freeAdobe Digital Editions softwareon a Windows or Mac computer, then transfer it to acompatibleeReader.

Will you be adding more titlesto the OverDrive collection?

We purchase hundreds of titlesevery week. Newly added titles appear at the top of the OverDrive website.

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The Libby app gives you the option to send your ebooks to your preferred Kindle device. For detailed instructions on how to borrowKindle Books from the library, see the "How to get Kindle eBooks from OverDrive." OverDriveeBookscan also be read on all Kindle devices or by using the free Kindle apps available for Windows/OS, iPhone/iPad (iOS), Android, and other mobile devices. Check out theKindle How-To videosto find out more. You can also find useful information at theAmazon Help Pageon how to checkout and download Kindle compatible eBooks.See theeBook Software Requirements Chartfor more information.

Placing Holds

How many holds can I place at one time?

You can place up to 25holds at one time. These are not counted against your physical materialsholds.

What do I do when I receive notice that my hold is ready?

Be sure to read theinstructions given in the email. Go to the link provided in the email and proceed to check out the item. Once you receive the email, you have 72 hoursto check out your holds item before it expires and is given to the next patron on the holds list.

If it’s a digital title, why is there a waitlist to check it out?

This is the model publishers negotiated with OverDriveso that libraries could provide access to digital titles. As a result, borrowing digital titlesis similar to checking out physical books – one copy at a time per patron. If another patron has already checked out a digital title, you may put a hold on it.

What is Hold Delivery?

Hold Delivery allows you to getavailable holds redelivered up to 180 days later. Replacing automatic hold checkout, OverDrive introduced this feature to help ebook users better manage their hold items. For more information about Hold Delivery, please see What happened to OverDrive's automatic checkout of holds?

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Renewing

How do I renew my title?

The option to renew a title becomes available three days before the title is set to expire. Renewing puts you in line to borrow a title again once your first checkout expires. Please click here for more information on how to renew.

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Returning Titles Early

How do I return an eBook or eAudiobook early?

Although it's not necessary to return your titleearly, you may return it if you like. Otherwise, the title will be returned automatically atthe end of the loan period.

Kindle.To return Kindle formatted eBooks, go tothe Manage Your Kindle area of the Amazon.com site. For more information on borrowing Kindle books from the library, check out the Public Library Books for Kindle page.

EPUB.If you used Adobe Digital Editions to access your eBook, right-click on the title and click Return Borrowed Item.

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Adobe Digital Editions

If you choose not to use the Libby app, you can usethe Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) reader software as an alternativeto access ebooks borrowed from the OverDrive collection. Here are instructions for installing ADE on a computer.

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Technical Requirements

OverDriveeBookscan be read on most eBook readers, smartphones and tablets that support theEPUBformat.There are many eBook readers and devices compatible withOverDrivethat allows you tocheck out and download eBooks from the San Francisco Public Library at no cost.For more information on specific devices check out OverDrive’sCompatible eBook Devicesweb page.

Mac OS

OverDrive for Mac is no longer supported or available for download from app.overdrive.com. Mac users will no longer see the option to download borrowed audiobooks from their library or school's OverDrive website. As an alternative, users can listen to audiobooks in their web browser on their Mac. Once you borrow an audiobook from your library's website, choose theListen now in browseroption. Or, you can listen to audiobooks in your web browser using Libby.

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OverDrivehas reversed its decision to eliminate the download option for MP3 audiobooks on computers runningmacOS10.6 (Snow Leopard) through 10.14 (Mojave). The download option should be restored by October 2, 2019. Until this access is restored, you may usethis workaroundusing the Firefox browser.

However, users who upgrade to the newestmacOSCatalina will not be able to download and transfer MP3 audiobooks fromOverDrive.Read moreabout this change in service.

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Help/Troubleshooting

What happened to the native OverDrive app?

OverDrive discontinued itsnative (original) app to focus on Libby, its newer app. If you have the native app installed, it may continue to work for a short time. But we strongly suggest that you switch to the Libby app.

I'm using Libby with SimplyE, but my checkouts and holds are not syncing. What happened?

If you are using the SimplyE app to manage your ebook account, then we recommend that you do not use Libby. SimplyEwas meant to be used independently of Libby and other ebook apps.

Who do I contact if I have a question or problem?

For the quickest response, please useoureBooks Help Online Formand includeas manydetails as possible regarding the issue you are experiencing. If it is a technical problem, please include any error messages you received anddetails about your computer (e.g., Mac/PC, operating system, version of browser used, etc.) You may also ask for help from a librarian at your local library or call (415) 557-4400 for assistance.

How do I close my OverDrive account?

To close yourOverDriveaccount,follow the instructions onthispage:How to close an OverDrive account.

For additional troubleshooting help, go toLibby Help.

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