You can read Kindle-formatted e-books on your Amazon Kindle or thefree Kindle App for smart phones, tablets, and desktops. NYPL's Kindle-compatible e-books are provided by OverDrive. To access You will need:
- a library card and PIN/Password
- an Amazon Kindle or a Kindle app on another type of device
- an Amazon account
- Wi Fi
- a browser where you can search for and check out e-books.
Checking out e-books through Overdrive
- Search for a title, author, subject, or keyword, or you can browse titles by subject onnypl.overdrive.com
- When you are browsing titles a blue “available” banner on the cover of an item indicates that it is available to borrow. If a white “wait list” banner appears, the item is currently unavailable to borrow, but you can place a hold on it.
- Click Borrow under the title of the book you want.
- If the item is not available you will see Place a Hold instead of Borrow. If you place a hold on the title, you will receive an email notifying you when it is available for checkout.
- If you are not already logged in to Overdrive, you will be prompted to enter your library card number and PIN/Password and click Sign In. After you sign in, you will see the e-book you borrowed on your OverDrive's loans page.
- Click "Read Now withKindle." Amazon.com will open in a new tab.
- If you're signed into Amazon on your computer, it will recognize you. Make sure you're signed in with the right account. If you're signed in, choose where you’d like to have this e-book delivered. If you’ve already linked a Kindle or Kindle app they’ll show up in the list here. Click "Get Library Book" to complete the delivery.
- If you don't have an account yet, you'll have to create one through "I am a new customer". Then you will need to connect your Kindle device or app to this account using the Settings menu.
- Make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi (Menu > Settings > Wireless Settings > Connect). If you do not have Wi-Fi at home, visit one of our libraries or another Wi-Fi hotspot.
- If your download does not appear once you connect to Wi-Fi, click "Menu" and "Sync and Check for Items." Also, make sure your "Library" is set to display "ALL" books, and not just those that have been "Downloaded".
Without Wi Fi
If you have an older Kindle without Wi-Fi, or no available Wi-Fi connection outside of the Library, there are a couple additional steps to transfer the e-book file from your computer to the device.
- In the final step of the checkout process, you'll have the option to download your e-book as a file.
- Connect your Kindle to the computer via USB and save the file to the Kindle's Documents folder.
- For more information, read OverDrive's instructions for transferring files via USB.
Kindle Fire
In addition to Kindle formatted e-books, you can read EPUB e-books and listen to MP3 audiobooks on most recent Kindle Fire devices by downloading the Libby app from the Amazon Appstore. You can also install the cloudLibrary app on your Kindle Fire, which gives you access to an additional collection of library e-books to borrow. This app is not available through the Amazon Appstore. VisitcloudLibraryfor complete instructions on installing and setting up the app.
The SimplyE app is not available on the Kindle Fire.
Returning e-books
In June of 2024 changes were made to how Kindle format books are returned.
Instructions to return via OverDrive are posted on their Help page:
https://help.overdrive.com/en-us/0566.html
Instructions to return via the Libby app are posted here:
https://help.libbyapp.com/en-us/6015.htm
Notes
- If you choose to purchase the book from the Kindle Store or check it out again at a later date, all of your notes and highlights will be preserved.
- If you want to set up additional devices, see what you have checked out, or return a book, go to Manage Your Kindle.
- It is possible to renew Kindle titles via OverDrive, but after renewing you must visitAmazon's Web site, go to your "Content & Devices" page, select "Books", and then "Delete" the title you renewed. You can then go back to your library's OverDrive collection and deliver the Kindle Book to your Amazon account again.
- Need more help? View theAmazon Help page for public library booksfor additional resources related to Kindle devices and reading apps.
Borrow e-books through the NYPL Catalog
You can search for and checkout both OverDrive and cloudLibrary e-books through thecatalog. When you search for e-books, you will see a button to the right of the title indicating that you can "Get" or "Request" the e-book. You can see the status of all your digital checkouts and holds under your "Bookshelf" when you log into your account.
Still need help? Find ane-book classat your local library.
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