Getting Started with OverDrive and Libby

OverDrive is our largest ebook, audiobook and magazine collection. It includes current, popular fiction and non-fiction, for adults, teens and children.

View the printable PDF handouts to get started. Have a question? Find answers to common questions in our OverDrive and Libby FAQs.

Getting started guides

Mobile Devices (tablet and smartphones)

Use the free Libby, by OverDrive app for Apple and Android devices to borrow ebooks, digital audiobooks, and magazines. You can stream titles with Wi-Fi or mobile data, or download them for offline use and read anytime, anywhere. All you need to get started is a library card.

Please note: The original OverDrive app for Apple, Android and Windows 8/10 devices will be retired on May 1, 2023. More information is available on Upgrade to Libby.

Dedicated eReaders, iPods and mp3 players

The desktop software for downloading, playing and transferring audiobooks to MP3 players and iPods is no longer available to download from OverDrive. Currently installed software will continue to work until further notice.

Please note: The May 1, 2023 retirement of the OverDrive app for mobile devices does not apply to the OverDrive software available in many Kobo eReaders. The direct download feature will continue to work as before.

Desktop and laptop computers

Read or listen right on your computer. Use the OverDrive Read and OverDrive Listen feature on TPL's OverDrive website, or sign into OverDrive's Libby website at libbyapp.com. For help using libbyapp.com, refer to Getting Started with OverDrive’s Libby (PDF) or visit Libby Help.

Supported and unsupported devices

Check the complete list of compatible devices to ensure your device works with OverDrive materials.

Video tutorials

View these step by step videos from OverDrive to learn how to use the Libby app and libbyapp.com.

How eBook Borrowing Works

You must have a valid Toronto Public Library card number and PIN to check out titles. Toronto residents who are 13 years or older who wish to use our digital resources and services can sign up online for a Digital Access Card.

How to get or renew your library card

Checking out materials

You can have up to 30 titles checked out at any given time.

The default lending period for ebooks, digital audiobooks and magazines is 21 days. This can be changed to either 14 or 7 days at checkout or by changing the default lending period settings in your account.

Returning materials

Materials will expire automatically at the end of the checkout period. They can also be returned early. Help to reduce waiting times by returning borrowed items when you are finished.

Renewing materials

An OverDrive title can be renewed or placed on hold three (3) days before the current borrowing period ends.

If a copy of the item is available to borrow, the Renew Loan option will appear. If selected, the item will be checked out again and any time left on the current borrowing period will be lost.

If there is a waiting list for the title, the Place Hold option will be available instead. If selected, a hold will be placed and the current borrowing period will not change.

Placing holds

OverDrive titles with all copies checked out can be placed on hold.

When a copy becomes available, it is held for 3 days. During this time, the options are to borrow, to cancel or to have the item delivered later. Deliver later creates a suspension of the hold for a period of your choice and maintains your position in the holds list.

After the 3 days, if no action is taken, the hold will automatically be suspended for 7 days. The next time a copy of the item available to borrow, the hold will expire after 3 days. The courtesy automatic 7-day suspension occurs only once.

Suspending holds

To prevent all your holds from coming in at once, you can suspend all or some of your holds.

Login problems

You may be unable to log in or check out items from OverDrive if:

Account problems

If you have replaced your TPL card, any loans or holds on your OverDrive account will not be automatically transferred to the new card. Please contact Answerline to merge your old and new accounts.

Contact Answerline for any other issues with or questions about your OverDrive account.

Accessibility

For more information on accessibility in OverDrive and Libby, please visit the accessibility section of Libby Help and OverDrive's Accessibility Statement.

More questions?

See our OverDrive and Libby FAQs.

Request a Book a Librarian session.

Visit Libby Help or the OverDrive Help website.

Contact OverDrive Support for help with software, downloading, error messages, and other issues.

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