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How to Borrow E-books From the Library for Various Devices

Borrowing and Reading Library Books on your Kindle, Nook, etc.

Yes, you can get free books on your device from the amazon site by searching "free books" in the store on your device, but did you know you can download books on your device for free from the library too?

I love to read and I never thought I would want to read books on an electronic device. I love the way a book feels in my hands; I love the smell of a new book. Reading an actual book is an experience for me, but then I decided to research all the e-readers to see what they can do.

I finally decided to get a Kindle Fire because of everything you can do with it and because I am a big fan of amazon.com. One of the things I was most excited about was the fact that I could (very easily once you know how to) borrow books from the library... any time, any where, very conveniently-- I don't even have to leave the house!!

Since buying my Kindle Fire and finding out how to borrow digital books from the library, I have been enjoying library book after library book on my Kindle Fire. I, of course, still read actual books (I go to the used book sale section at the The Helen Kate Furness Library to get new-to-me reads all the time). I definitely enjoy reading books both ways. Although I am more and more convinced of the benefits of using e-readers,  (Think about packing books for example and I especially like that with the backlight on the Kindle Fire I can read in bed without a light on, so it doesn't disturb my husband when he is trying to sleep.) I wouldn't want digital books to completely replace actual books though!


In case you aren't sure how to borrow digital books, here are step by step instructions to borrow books from the library for your electronic devices:

First, you need a Library Card* -- you have to enter your library card number (found on the back of your library card under the bar code) on the digital download site.
*If you live in Delaware County and you don't have a library card, you should get one! It is free and you can use any and all of the # of libraries in Delaware County. Just go to any Delco library and ask to get a library card. You fill out a short form with your name, address, email, etc. and show them a valid id (showing you live in Delaware County). There is no fee and anyone can get one! Libraries in Delaware County are amazing; they have so many programs, events, etc... most of which FREE!

You also need an electronic device -- see list of supported devices: HERE)

Go to www.delcolibraries.org

Click on the "Download e books + audio books" tab - it looks like this:
it takes you TO THIS SITE (digital downloads)

On the digital download site you can browse or search for books.

Once you find a book you are interested in, click on it.

 It tells you how many copies they have, how many are available, and how many people are on the wait list already.

Choose to:

Either be Added to the Wait List (Make sure you are clicking on the appropriate format for your device). For many of the newer, more popular books you have to be added to the wait list, but they will send you an email when it is available for you to check out.

Or to check it out (Add to Cart). (Choose your books, add them to your cart, when you are ready to check them out click on Proceed to Check Out)

Review & Confirm your selections and formats. (Maximum digital checkouts allowed at one time on a library card is 7).

Some books transfer via Wi-Fi, but others can only be downloaded via USB. (It will tell you if it has to be downloaded by USB. (I know my Kindle Fire did not come with a USB cord, so I had to purchase it separately. I got a cord compatible with Kindle Fire at Target).

The next screen lists your books available for download. Click on: "Get for Kindle" (or whatever format you need. *Note: not all books are available in all formats).

It then takes you to "Your Current Downloads" page. This page shows you the day you checked it out and when it will expire on your device (this means you will no longer have access to it after that date -- which also means to late fees, no forgetting to return the books, etc.) Don't worry, you will get a courtesy notice  by email telling you your download is about to expire in a few days, so you can finish the book before it is no longer accessible on the device.


When you click "Get for Kindle" for example, it will take you your amazon site where you can choose which device it is delivered to (YOUR NAME HERE's Kindle).


Click "Get Library Book".
(If it downloads wirelessly, the digital book will be delivered to the device, and the next time it connects to Wi-Fi & it will upload automatically.

If you need to transfer via USB, click "Download Now" after connecting the USB to the Kindle and the computer.

(You can also read it in the Kindle Cloud Reader or on other devices using the free Kindle Reading Apps).
 

Under "My Account" on the digital download website, you can click different links to manage your account such as:

		"My Cart" : which shows you items that are in your cart awaiting checkout "Lending Periods" : Where you can set a personalized default lending period for titles available, format- by-format
		"My Current Downloads" : Displays download links for current titles checked out.
		"My Waiting List" - shows you the titles for which you are currently on a wait list for.
		"Wish List" : Displays titles you have placed on your wish list
		"Rated Titles" : Shows titles you have rated, and you can make changes if you choose.

If you have a Kindle, you can manage your digital titles by going to "Manage Your Kindle" on your amazon account-- under digital content/manage digital content:
Click on the "Actions" tab and you can select to: Read Now, Deliver to device, Purchase the book on amazon, Download and transfer the book, Return a borrowed book--you may choose to return it early, so you can check out other books.

Side note: Did you know you could even loan people your Kindle books? Under this same "Actions" tab for managing your Kindle on your amazon account site, you can choose to loan books you have purchased for your device, so you can loan your Kindle books to your friends-- not ones you are borrowing from the library though.

Your books will upload to your device and you have access to read them. You don't have to return them unless you want to return them early. They have due dates, but they are called expiration dates: you don't have to do anything to return them on their "due date"-- after that date the books will just not be accessible to you anymore (unless you check it out again).

There you have it. Remember there are help options on the library's digital download site if you have trouble or have any questions. Feel free to comment or ask me questions, and I'll do my best to help you too.

I hope you take my advice and use the Delaware County Libraries and the Delco Libraries' Digital Loan Site! Happy Reading!

-Crystal