Get FREE Kids eBooks & Audiobooks from Your Library with Overdrive
Get your kids immersed in FREE eBooks this spring and summer!
Did you know that you can easily borrow and enjoy free eBooks, audiobooks, and more from your library or school’s digital collection? It’s true!
All you need to get started is an internet connection and a library card or student ID, then download one of the free apps such as OverDrive, to give you access to your library’s collection.
Follow these three simple steps:
1.) Find & open your library or school’s digital collection
Use one of the following apps or sites to get started:
- The new Libby app (recommended for public library users on Android, iOS, or Windows 10)
- The original OverDrive app (for all other library or school users on Android, Chromebooks, iOS, Fire tablets, or Windows 8/10)
- OverDrive.com (for any user on a Windows or Mac computer)
2.) Borrow
Borrow a title from your library or school’s digital collection. You’ll need a valid library card or student ID 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 (U.S. libraries only) for the duration of your lending period. You can also transfer titles from your computer to compatible eReaders or MP3 players. And the best part – no late fees. Titles are automatically returned on their due date!
Highly recommend this app, I love it and use it all the time!!! Always have a book or two checked out at any given time. You don’t get every single title or author that would be available to you in the physical library but it’s so convenient. Did I mention I LOVE it? 😛
I always stock my daughter’s kindle with her favorite series from the library before trips ! It works perfectly!
My library also has hoopla which has books, new music but older movies
Agreed, we do this before road trip and works great. You just have to make sure that there is enough disk space for download
Great tip! Thanks MM!
Love this app. Listen to audiobooks all the time while doing dishes and other housework.
I use to love overdrive until almost my library wasn’t compatible anymore. I just downloaded and tried Libby but my library isn’t an option 🙁
Our library uses Cloud Library (formally 3M library). It works the same. Also register with other library systems if possible. They often have different options. No more late fees! Books return themselves.
As a library director I just wanted to say thank you for this post! If you library does not use OverDrive for eBooks it is likely they have another platform to allow you to borrow eBooks and eAudiobook for free. Checkout your local library’s website, or give them a call. Librarians are happy to share information about the resources we offer.
https://audiobooksync.com/ Free audiobooks for teens this summer. This is an ongoing program that starts in April and goes through the summer. It’s a great way to get teens involved with audiobooks. And I like some of them as well.
Thanks for sharing, Lisa!
I love Overdrive! I download books on tape, and they’re perfect for long car rides!
Thank you so much for this information! I just downloaded the app on to my two boys chromebooks so they can pick new books to read for their reading time each day! This is going to be so nice and save me tons of money not to mention space!! Thank you!!!!
You are so welcome!
This was a gamechanger for my family when we figured out how to do this awhile back!
I love this app! I listen to a book every day on my commute and while I get ready in the morning and also always have at least 1 kindle book checked out. Saves me so much money!!!!
Also tip, you can suggest a book or audiobook if your library doesnt have it. They’ll review and could add it at your suggestion! I’ve had multiple books I’ve wanted to read added after making a suggestion. 🙂
I live on the border of 2 counties. One county library uses overdrive and one uses hoopla. I love them both. I use them for kids books and audiobooks for myself. I love having an audiobook on my phone to listen to while I do housework or crochet.
I love using Overdrive! I put holds on the more popular books and will get an email when it is my turn to check them out. It can take awhile sometimes for the book(s) to become available, but I’m patient if it means that I can read for free!! 😊
By using your library resources you’re helping out your library! Finding is taken away if less patrons are using those resources! So use it! Both in the libraries themselves or online! We love overdrive, bridges, and hoopla!
We LOVE OverDrive! I personally listen to audiobooks constantly plus I play kids audiobooks when my little’s in the car, and all super easy and free thanks to the library. You can put books on your wishlist to remember to read them, place holds, and have those holds auto-checked out when they become available. I love everything about this app. Hooray for books! The app Hoopla is also an option if your library doesn’t use OverDrive.