Previously on this blog, I gushed about borrowing books from your local library for your Kindle. That post was over a year ago, and I still find it wonderfully exciting to sit in my home, browse through library books, and have them magically appear on my Kindle.
Recently, I tried another bit of library borrowing….. and I’m equally thrilled.
With the Overdrive app, you can download AUDIO books from your local library directly to your iPhone or iPad. Then you can take that audio book with you for a walk or to the gym. Wonderful! And all this is FREE.
It is quite easy to do.
First, of course, you must determine whether or not your local library participates with Overdrive. I’m guessing they do …. it seems quite popular. You can call and ask, or go to your library’s website and hunt around a bit. Chances are there will be an “ebooks” section, and you can see if they use the word “overdrive.”
Once you know your library participates, download the app.
You’ll be asked to “add a library.” I typed in my zip code, and my library magically appeared.
Sign in to your local library (probably with your library card number and a pin).
Find the book you want to download, and tap it to start the process.
All done! Your audio book is now on your iPhone and you are good to go.
From my experience, it is MUCH easier to browse books from my computer (rather than the phone). Once I’ve made my choice, I just “search” for it on the app on the iPhone, and tap it to download.
And so now…. from my local library, I can get books to read on my Kindle, and books to listen to on my iPhone. It’s a kid-in-a-candy-shop kind of experience to get books like this from the comfort of your own home.
It’s just as easy to download books to read to your iPhone and iPad with this app. I chose an audiobook because I don’t really enjoy reading on the small screen of the phone. (However…my iPhone 6 Plus …when it arrives… may change all that!).
Just to be clear: you can directly download books to read OR to listen to through this app.
Overdrive is free in the iTunes store
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You know, I think my library does have that! Thanks for the reminder. If I do this, it will be my first audio book! (Can you stand it? Have I been living under a rock!?!?!?!?)
There is so much “stuff” available to us these days…. it’s hard to keep track of all the possibilities! Enjoy your first audio book! 🙂
What a great idea! I’ve been using my library a lot recently for researching. They actually know me now! It’s amazing going into the library what all they do have there. I get so used to using my computer that sometimes I get behind the times in the real world! 🙂
I’m glad that libraries have included all this digital-goodness in their inventories!
Me Too! Thanks for the update! 🙂
I’ve always been a library junkie and I have been using the overdrive app for quite a while now and love having the library in my home…
Wonderful!! And great news that this is available in Australia, too. The commenter below is also from Australia and was wondering ….
The library staff actually helped me to down load it. In fact they did it for me. Such super friendly librarians at my local library.
Wow, Kathy; I don’t know if we have this in Australia. I’ll have to check it out.
Every time I visit your blog my little mind is overwhelmed by the incredible things technology has to offer. If only someone would invent more ‘time’ in which to do everything! 😀
Yes, indeed, you do have this in Australia. The commenter above you has been using it for quite a while and she also lives in Australia. Yay! 🙂
G’day Carolyn yes they definitely do have it in Australia I have been using it for quite a while, and the lovely friendly library staff helped me down load the app.
G’day to you, too, and Thank You; I’ll definitely be checking it out.
And aren’t you so right ’bout the friendly staff. We are still the lucky country! 😀
I agree even with all the media hype, most people just get on with living the good life… 🙂
Beats buying books any day.