OverDrive — download and transfer e-books
OverDrive is a free digital media platform for e-books and audiobooks. This page provides information on the service and answers some frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What software do I need to download e-books to my computer or compatible device?
To download Adobe e-books on your computer, you need Adobe® Digital Editions. Download and install Adobe Digital Editions.
To download Adobe EPUB e-books on your Android, BlackBerry, or iPhone device, you need OverDrive Media Console v2 (or newer). Download and install OverDrive Media Console.
Have a look at the Quick Start Guide for further information.
To which devices can I transfer Adobe e-books?
See our quick guide to OverDrive Compatible E-book Devices or visit OverDrive’s device center for a list of compatible and incompatible devices.
There are different e-book formats in OverDrive. How do I know which one to choose?
Your choice is determined by how you intend to read the e-book. If you want to read an e-book on your computer screen, you can choose any of the formats. If you want to read on a portable device, you should choose a book in the format that works best with your device.
Can I transfer Adobe e-books to my Amazon Kindle?
No. The Amazon Kindle does not support the Adobe e-books available at this site in New Zealand. The lending programme recently announced in the media is currently only available to libraries, schools, and universities in the United States. Hopefully we will see that change here soon.
How many OverDrive titles am I allowed to borrow?
We currently allow five items to be borrowed from OverDrive at any one time. These may be audiobooks and/or e-books.
How long does it take to download an OverDrive e-book?
Download times will vary with the length of the e-book and the speed of your internet connection, though the download is usually very fast. If you have very limited internet connection speed you may get an error message and might have to try again later. PDFs are slower.
How many days do I get to keep e-book titles I check out?
In the course of checking out any title, you will have the option to select a different lending period for that specific title. You can check an e-book out for seven, 14 or 21 days.
Can I renew the items I have checked out?
Sorry, titles cannot be renewed, but you can check them out again if they are available when the checkout period ends.
How do I return my e-books?
After the check out period expires, the e-book is automatically checked back in. An inaccessible copy of the digital book will remain on your computer as well as any devices if you have transferred it to. You will need to delete the copy just like you would delete a file from your computer. Unlike audiobooks, e-books can be checked in early.
Returning e-books early?
Please note: if you return more than one e-book in the same day or return an e-book very early within the check out period you may be locked out of the system. This means that you will not be able to check out any more e-books until the lock out period expires. Early return parameters and lockout times are unfortunately not controlled by the library.
Tips on returning an e-book early:
To return Adobe e-books early:
- Open Adobe Digital Editions on your computer;
- In the "Library View," click on the book you want to return;
- Click the triangular button next to the title to open the Item Options window;
- Click on "Return Borrowed Item".
Here are some tips for avoiding this situation:
- Avoid doing an early return during the first few days of your check out period;
- Do not return more than one e-book within a 24 hour period;
- If you are a fast reader, select the shortest check out period. Then you can avoid unnecessary early returns.
What happens when I place an e-book on hold?
When the title is available for you, we will email you instructions on checking the item out. The item will be held for you for five days after we email you notice that the title is available.
