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 guides below 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, Android and Kindle Fire devices to borrow ebooks, digital audiobooks and magazines. You can stream titles with Wi-Fi or mobile data, as well as download them for offline use and read anytime, anywhere. All you need to get started is a library card.
Dedicated ereaders, iPods and mp3 players
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 check if they are eligible for a Digital Access Card.
Checking out materials
You can have up to 30 titles checked out at any given time.
The default lending period for ebooks and audiobooks is 21 days. The default lending period for magazines borrowed on TPL's OverDrive website is 21 days. In Libby, the borrowing period for a single issue is 7 days. Subscribe to a magazine to always have the latest issue available on your Shelf.
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. You can have up to 15 titles on hold at any given time.
When a copy becomes available, it is held for three days. During this time, the options are to borrow, cancel or suspend the hold.
After the three days, if no action is taken, the hold will automatically be suspended. The courtesy suspension occurs only once for each hold. More information on holds pickup is available in Libby Help.
Suspending holds
To prevent all your holds from coming in at once, you can suspend all or some of your holds. The hold will remain suspended until you make it active again. You will continue to move up the holds list while your hold is suspended.
Holds suspended continuously for one year will be cancelled. More information on holds management is available in Libby Help.
Tip: Instead of placing and suspending holds, use tags to keep track of books that you would like to read.
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
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 or Libby Support for help with software, downloading, error messages and other issues.