Getting Started with OverDrive

Our largest eBook and audiobook collection. Includes current, popular fiction and non-fiction, magazines, videos and audiobooks.

View the printable handouts to get started downloading eBooks and Audiobooks. You can find more detailed help information by visiting our OverDrive FAQs, the OverDrive Help website, and the Libby Help website.

Getting started guides

Mobile Devices (tablet and smartphones)

Download content directly to your device using the Libby app. Use the free Libby app 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.

OverDrive eBooks, Audiobooks and Magazines using the Libby app (PDF)

Please note: As of February 23, 2022, the original OverDrive app will no longer be available to download from Apple, Google, and Microsoft app stores. The OverDrive app currently installed on devices will continue to work for browsing, borrowing and enjoying eBooks and audiobooks.

At this time, as the Libby app in not available in the Amazon App store, the OverDrive app will not be removed the Amazon App store on February 23, 2022. It will continue to be available from the Amazon App store until further notice.

Dedicated eReaders, iPods and mp3 players

*Not sure if your Kobo eReader supports direct downloads? Connect the device to a wifi network and tap the Sync button. When the Kobo has finished updating, open the menu and tap on Settings. If OverDrive is listed under Settings, then the Kobo supports direct downloads. If not, then Adobe Digital Editions is required to download and open OverDrive eBooks on your Kobo.

Please note: As of February 23, 2022, OverDrive for Windows and OverDrive for Mac will no longer be available to download from OverDrive. The OverDrive desktop software currently installed on computers will continue to work for downloading and playing audiobooks and transferring to MP3 players and iPods.

Desktop computers

Read or listen right on your computer. Use the OverDrive Read and OverDrive Listen feature in TPL's OverDrive website, or sign into OverDrive's Libby website at libbyapp.com. For help using libbyapp.com, please visit Libby Help.

OverDrive Read for eBooks and OverDrive Listen for Audiobooks (PDF)

Supported and unsupported devices

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

Video tutorials

View this step by step video from OverDrive to learn how to use the Libby app to browse, check out, and download ebooks, digital audiobooks and magazines.

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 but can be changed at checkout or by going to Settings in your account.

Returning materials

Materials will expire automatically at the end of the checkout period. These items do not have to be returned. It is possible to return certain items early if you reach your checkout limit, or to make items available for other library users.

Return materials early using whichever software was used to download them (e.g. Libby app, Kobo eReader, libbyapp.com). Visit OverDrive Help or Libby Help for further instructions.

Renewing materials

Three days before the current borrowing period ends an OverDrive title can be renewed or placed on hold.

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 a 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 (indicated with Wait List above the cover image on OverDrive website or Place Hold option in Libby) 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.

You can have up to 30 items on hold at any given time. You cannot place a hold on an item you already have checked out until the last 3 days of the borrowing period.

Suspending holds

If you think you'll be too busy to read something if it becomes available or you want 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.