Skip to Main Content

OverDrive eBooks and eAudiobooks

What is OverDrive?

OverDrive allows you to check out current, popular eBooks and eAudiobooks and read them on your eReader or mobile device.

You must be a student, faculty or staff member of the University of Delaware to check out titles from the UD Library's OverDrive site. You will also need a current UDelNet ID and password.

Getting Started

Step 1: Obtain an Adobe ID or Amazon Kindle account (if required for the computer or device).

Step 2: Install the applicable free software or app (e.g., OverDrive app, Adobe Digital Editions or Amazon Kindle Reading app).

Step 3: Check out an eBook from OverDrive eBooks.

Step 4: Download the book and enjoy!

Technology Required

An Adobe ID or Amazon Kindle account may be required for some applications

Borrowing OverDrive eBooks and eAudiobooks

Checkout Limit
A user may have up to three eBooks checked out at one time.

Lending Period
Users may choose a lending period of 7 or 14 days during the checkout process. Books are automatically returned on the due date and can be returned early. If you are aware that other users have placed holds on the book and you are finished with it before the due date, please return it early.

Renewal
OverDrive eBooks can be renewed up to three days before the due date by clicking on Renew.  If no one else has placed a hold on the book, users may check out the book a second time.

How to Check Out an eBook or eAudiobook from OverDrive

1. Go to OverDrive eBooks.

2. Browse by collection or search by title, subject or author. Use Advanced search for additional search capabilities.

3. Click on Borrow.

4. Select a loan period of 7 or 14 days.

5. Sign-in with a current UDelNet ID and password.

6. Click on Download and then select a format (EPUB, Kindle, PDF). Choose Confirm & Download.

 

Don't Have a Device? Try OverDrive Read

OverDrive Read is a simple way to enjoy eBooks using a web browser. There are no apps to download, no software to install, just click ‘Read’ and start reading. The book opens in a web browser, complete with the navigation controls found on any dedicated eReader.

How to Place a Hold on an eBook or eAudioBook from OverDrive

Sometimes a title cannot be borrowed immediately, usually because another user has already borrowed it or the title has not yet been released by the publisher. If the title is not available, you may place a hold on it and be notified by email when it becomes available.

Titles that cannot be borrowed immediately have banners saying Wait list or Coming soon along the top of the cover image.

To place a hold on the title:

  1. Select Place a hold, located at the bottom of the the cover image (or on its details page).
  2. If you have created an OverDrive account and are logged into it, the hold will be placed automatically. If If there is not a saved email address for your account, enter and confirm one when prompted. Then select Place a hold.

A maximum of 25 titles can be added to a holds list..

 

How to Borrow an Available Hold

When a hold is available for you, you will receive a notification email and have three days to borrow it.

To borrow the title:

  1. Go to your Holds page on the Library's OverDrive website or in the OverDrive app.
    You will need to be logged in to the site to get to this page.
  2. Select Borrow next to the title.
  3. From there, you can choose a lending period and a reading format for your title and proceed to checkout.