Borrow eBooks from the public library using your Kobo eReader

OverDrive is a free service offered by public libraries that lets you borrow eBooks and read them on your Kobo eReader.

OverDrive Compatibility notes

The built-in OverDrive feature for Kobo eReaders is only compatible in:
- Canada
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Denmark
- Finland
- Norway
- Sweden
- Taiwan
- Hong Kong
- Singapore

The built-in OverDrive feature is only available for these Kobo eReaders:
- Kobo Clara 2E
- Kobo Sage
- Kobo Libra 2
- Kobo Elipsa
- Kobo Nia
- Kobo Libra H2O
- Kobo Forma
- Kobo Aura ONE
- Kobo Aura Edition 2
- Kobo Aura H2O Edition 2
- Kobo Clara HD
If you're not sure which eReader you have, follow the steps in this article.
If your eReader isn't listed above, read the steps here to add eBooks from the public library's website.
OverDrive may not be available at your local library.
Some Kobo titles may not be available from your library, and some library titles may not be available from Kobo.

With OverDrive on your Kobo eReader, all you need is a library card and a Wi Fi connection to borrow eBooks from your public library. Browse, borrow, and place holds on library books directly from your eReader.

Find local libraries that support OverDrive

To find the closest library that supports OverDrive, go to overdrive.com and enter the name of your city, then click Go. You'll see a map with libraries that support OverDrive.

Note: OverDrive is available in most public libraries in: Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Book selections will be different for each library.

Set up your OverDrive on your eReader

To borrow eBooks with OverDrive, you'll need to sign in using your library card information, Facebook, or an existing OverDrive account.

Before you start, you'll need:

A valid library card from your local library.
An active Wi Fi connection.

Go to your Home screen.
Tap the More icon at the bottom of the screen.
Tap Settings.
Tap OverDrive.
Tap Get started.
Tap Create account to create an OverDrive account, or tap Sign in to OverDrive to find your library and sign in with your library card, Facebook, or an existing OverDrive account.

After you've signed in to your library, you can borrow books on your eReader.

Go to your Home screen.
Tap Discover at the bottom of the screen.
Search for the book that you'd like to borrow.
Tap on the book title or cover that you'd like to borrow.
Tap the More icon.
Tap Borrow with OverDrive.

If the book is available, you'll see a dialogue that confirms that you've checked out the book. Simply sync your eReader to see the book on your Home screen. If the book isn't available, you'll have the option to place the book on hold. You'll be notified by email when the book is available.

Items you've borrowed are automatically returned at the end of their lending period.

Place a hold

If the book isn't available, you can place a hold on it. Follow the steps below to learn how.

Go to your Home screen.
Tap Discover at the bottom of the screen.
Search for the book that you'd like to borrow.
Tap on the book title or cover that you'd like to borrow.
Tap the More icon.
Tap Place a hold with OverDrive.
You'll see a confirmation message.
Tap Yes.
You'll see a message that confirms that you've placed an item on hold.
To see the book that you have on hold, tap Go to Holds.

If you want to change your email address that OverDrive uses to notify you when your hold is available, tap Need to change email? and follow the onscreen steps.

View books that are on hold

If you place a book on hold, you can check if your books become available.

Go to your Home screen.
Tap the bell icon at the top of the screen.
Note: If a hold becomes available, you'll see the bell icon with a notification.
Tap Borrow now.
Tap Borrow beside the book that you want to check out.