View the printable handouts to get started downloading eBooks and Audiobooks. You can find more detailed help information by visiting the OverDrive website.
Getting started guides
Tablets and phones
Content can be downloaded directly to your device using the OverDrive app. Downloaded titles cannot be copied to other devices.
Dedicated eReaders, iPods and mp3 players
Content must be downloaded to your computer (Mac OSX and Windows XP/Vista/7/8/10) then transferred to your device using Adobe Digital Editions.
- Kobo Aura, Kobo Glo, Kobo Mini or Kobo Touch for eBooks (PDF)
- Kobo Aura ONE, Kobo Aura Edition 2, Kobo Aura H2O Edition 2, Kobo Clara, or Kobo Forma for eBooks (PDF)
- iPods and MP3 players for Audiobooks (PDF)
Desktop computers
Read or listen right on your computer.
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 your particular device to browse, check out, and download ebooks.
How eBook Borrowing Works
You must have a valid Toronto Public Library card number and PIN to check out titles.
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 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 and late fines are never applied.
However, it is possible to return certain items early if you reach your checkout limit, or to make items available for other library users.
eBooks can be returned early using Adobe Digital Editions software or the OverDrive mobile app after the books have been downloaded. See individual device guides above or OverDrive Help for instructions on how to return eBooks. Audiobooks cannot be returned early.
Renewing materials
Items can be renewed if there are copies available when your borrowing period is over. The option to renew will display 3 days before this. If the item is available when the borrowing period ends, the item will be checked out to you again. If not, you will be added to the holds list.
Placing holds
OverDrive titles that are not currently available (indicated with Wait List above the cover image) can be placed on hold. You will be asked for your email address and will receive an email when the item becomes available.
The default setting in OverDrive is to have the item automatically checked out to your account. If you change this, you will have 4 days (96 hours) from the time the email is sent to sign in to your OverDrive account and check the item out.
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.
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:
- Your library account is blocked
- Your library card has expired
- Your library card has been reported lost
- You have forgotten your PIN
Account problems
If you've replaced your TPL card but have outstanding holds on your OverDrive account, you will not see them when you log in to OverDrive. Please contact Answerline to merge your old and new accounts. Any other issues with your OverDrive account can also be sent to Answerline.
Accessibility
For more information about OverDrive's accessibility features, visit OverDrive Help.
More questions?
See our OverDrive FAQs.
Attend one of the library's eBook programs.
Contact OverDrive Tech Support for help with software, downloading, error messages, and other issues.