Getting Started with Digital Media

1. Find the Library

Find and open the Ohio Digital Library catalog using one of the following.

See the Choosing an App – Libby vs OverDrive section below for more information on each app.

2. Borrow

Borrow a title from the Ohio Digital Library catalog. You'll need a valid library card from an Ohio library and your PIN (usually the last 4 digits of your phone number) to complete this step.

3. Enjoy

You can enjoy many titles immediately online, download them for offline use, or send borrowed ebooks to a Kindle device.

If you're on a computer, you may also be able to transfer titles to compatible ereaders or MP3 players.

 

Choosing an App – Libby vs OverDrive

Both Libby and the classic OverDrive app allow you to borrow and read the same digital content from your library, but they look and feel different.

 

Libby App

The free Libby app is the easiest way to borrow and read free ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines from the library's digital collection using your phone or table.

With Libby you can:

  • sync all loans and reading progress across your devices,

     
  • download ebooks and audiobooks for offline reading, or stream them to save space,

     
  • set browsing and list preferences to show only the content you're interested in,

     
  • see your at-a-glance progress through each book on your shelf,

     
  • enjoy audiobooks in your car through Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, or Bluetooth connection,

     
  • send your library books to a Kindle,

     
  • customize how you read by adjusting an ebook's font size, book layout, and lighting,

     
  • add bookmarks, create notes and highlights, and define words,

     
  • skip backward or forward by swiping on the book cover,

     
  • increase playback speed up to 3x, and

     
  • set a sleep timer until the end of the chapter or for 5, 10, 30 minutes, or more.

The Libby app is available for Android, iOS devices, and in your browser at libbyapp.com.

*f you have a device that's not compatible with Libby, you can use the OverDrive app to borrow and enjoy digital titles instead.

Learn more at https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby/.

 

Get Started with Libby

  1. Install the Libby app from one of the following:
  2. Open the app and follow the prompts to find your library and sign in with a valid library card.

     
  3. Browse the library's collection and borrow a title.

     
  4. Borrowed titles appear under Shelf > Loans and download to the app automatically when you're connected to Wi-Fi, so you can read them when you're offline.



    From your Loans, you can:
    • Tap Read With... to choose where you'd like to read the book (Kindle or Libby), then finish sending to Kindle (U.S. libraries only) or start reading in Libby.
    • Tap Open Audiobook or Open Magazine to start reading or listening to that title.
    • Tap Manage Loan to see options like Renew and Return.

For additional instructions, troubleshooting, and frequently asked questions, visit Libby Help.

 

OverDrive App

OverDrive is the "classic" app and is compatible with more devices than the Libby app, including Andriod, iOS, Chromebooks, Fire tablets, and Windows 8/10.

Get Started with OverDrive

  1. Install the OverDrive app from your device's app store or from overdrive.com/apps/overdrive.

  2. Open the OverDrive app and follow the prompts to sign in (or sign up) using your library card.



    *Users under age 13 have two options for signing into the OverDrive app. Learn more at OverDrive Help.

     

  3. In the OverDrive app, find the library's digital collection (see specific steps for Android [including Fire tablets], Chromebooks, iOS, or Windows 8/10).

    Once you've found it, click or tap the collection name to start browsing. This will also automatically save the collection to your library list in the app.

  4. Borrow a title (you'll need to sign into your library to complete this step).

  5. After you borrow a title, you can:

    • Select Read now with Kindle (U.S. only) to complete checkout on Amazon's website and send the book to your Kindle device or Kindle reading app.

       
    • Select Download to download EPUB ebooks and MP3 audiobooks to the app Bookshelf.

       
    • Select Add to bookshelf to add streaming videos to the app Bookshelf (Android, Chromebooks, and iOS only) or Watch now in browser to open them right in your web browser (most other devices).

       
    • Select Read now in browser to open magazines, read-alongs, or MediaDo Reader ebooks right in your web browser.

       
    • Close the pop-up window to keep browsing and borrowing.

For device-specific instructions visit OverDrive Help.