You can add eBooks from your library's website onto your Kobo eReader.
Notes:
- Overdrive/Libby App may not be available at your local library. Some books may not be available from your library.
- The easiest way to borrow eBooks from your public library is using the built-in Overdrive/Libby App feature on your Kobo eReader. Read the steps here to use the built-in Overdrive/Libby App feature on your Kobo eReader.
Overview: Learn about the Overdrive/Libby App book borrowing process
You can borrow eBooks from most public libraries and read them on your Kobo eReader.
Most public libraries use a service called Overdrive/Libby App to catalogue and manage eBooks. These instructions will guide you on how to borrow eBooks from your local library using Overdrive/Libby App.
When you borrow an eBook, you actually download a license file to your computer. The license file is also called an .acsm file. You’ll need to copy this license file to your eReader using a free software called Adobe Digital Editions.
Here’s what the process of borrowing an eBook from your library looks like:
- Borrow an eBook from your public library using Overdrive/Libby App. When you borrow a library eBook, you’ll download the eBook’s license file onto your PC or Mac.
- Use Adobe Digital Editions to copy the license file on to your Kobo eReader.
- Open the eBook on your Kobo eReader to read.
- A valid library card
- Internet access
Step 1 of 3: Borrow an eBook from your public library
An eBook can only be borrowed by one person at a time. If a book is checked out by someone else, you'll see an option to place a hold on a book. Once you place a hold on a book, it will be added to the "Holds" section of your account. When the book becomes available, you'll get a notification email.
- Go to your public library’s website.
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Look for the "eBooks" section of the page.
Note: Every library website layout is a bit different. If you're having trouble finding the eBook section of your library's page, try doing a search on the page for "eBooks". - If required, select Overdrive/Libby App as the service that you'd like to use to browse books.
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Find a book that you’re interested in and click Borrow. The sign-in page will appear. Your library's sign-in page may look different from the one below.
- Sign in to your library account using your library card number and PIN (if required). The book will be added to the Bookshelf page.
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Click the Download (EPUB eBook) button beside the book that you'd like to download. The
.acsm file will be downloaded on to your computer.
Notes:- Some books may not have a download option, which means that you cannot read the book on your eReader. To read books without a download option, you'll need to use your web browser to read the book online.
- By default, most web browsers download files in to the Download folder. Look for the .acsm file icon in the Download folder.
Step 2 of 3: Set up Adobe Digital Editions (with ByteBooks)
Use Adobe Digital Editions to copy the .acsm file to your eReader.
To set up Adobe Digital Editions:
- Install Adobe Digital Editions
- Open the installer and follow the on-screen steps
Create or transition to a ByteBooks ID
You’ll need a ByteBooks ID to authorize Adobe Digital Editions and read DRM-protected eBooks.
- Go to the ByteBooks transition help page: https://dtsbytebooks.com/transition-help
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Choose the option that applies to you:
- If you already used Adobe Digital Editions with an Adobe ID, select Already have an Adobe ID account.
- If you don’t have an Adobe ID, select Create Your ByteBooks Account.
- Follow the on-screen steps to create your ByteBooks ID.
Important: If you already have an Adobe ID, use the same email address when creating your ByteBooks ID. This helps keep access to your existing DRM-protected eBooks. If you use a different email address, you may need to download your books again from the store or library where you got them.
Authorize your computer with Adobe Digital Editions
After you’ve installed Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) and created an Adobe ID, you’ll need to authorize your computer with ADE. You only need to do this once.
- With Adobe Digital Editions open, enter your Adobe ID and password that you've just created.
- Click Authorize.
- Click OK when Adobe finishes authorizing your computer.
Authorize your eReader with Adobe Digital Editions
After you've authorized your computer with Adobe Digital Editions, you'll need to authorize your eReader.
- Connect your eReader to your computer using the USB cable included with your eReader.
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Tap Connect on your eReader.
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Click the
gear icon on the top-left corner beside Kobo eReader.
- Click Authorize Device...
- Select the account that you'd like to authorize.
- Click Authorize Device.
- Click OK to complete the process.
Step 3 of 3: Add your library book to your eReader using Adobe Digital Editions
Library eBooks are protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM). This means that when you download the eBook to your computer, you're downloading a license file. The license file is also known as a ".acsm file." To get the book itself, just open the license file in Adobe Digital Editions (ADE). ADE will verify your license, and then download your eBook in either EPUB or PDF format.
- If your eReader is already connected to your computer, go to step 5.
- Turn on your eReader.
- Connect your eReader to your computer using a Micro USB cable.
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Tap Connect on your eReader.
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On your computer:
- Go to the folder where your eBook (the .acsm file) is saved.
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Double-click the
.acsm file. The book will open in ADE.
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Click Library at the top of the screen.
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Click All Items under the Bookshelves menu.
- Click on your new book and drag it to Kobo eReader listed on the left side under Devices.
- Eject your eReader from the computer and unplug the USB cable. Your eReader will show a Processing Content message. The library book will appear on your eReader's Home Screen.