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* UC Irvine access only

eBook Collections: OverDrive


URL: https://guides.lib.uci.edu/eBooks

OVERDRIVE

BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT OVERDRIVE AT UCI

What is OverDrive?

  • It is a platform for borrowing "popular and recreational reading" ebooks.
  • You can read books online, download titles to your device, or read on your Kindle or ereader.

I see OverDrive also offers audio books, magazines, and streaming video. Can I access those formats from UCI Libraries?

  • No. At this time UCI Libraries only has access to ebooks in OverDrive. Newport Beach and Orange County Public Libraries also has OverDrive and both offer audio books, etc. and will in general have a much larger ebook collection than what UCI Libraries can provide.

UCI Libraries offers over 4 million books, so why is the OverDrive collection so small?

  • UCI Libraries has only recently acquired this service and we will slowly be adding new titles. Our policy is to buy current, popular, bestseller-type books.

Who can access OverDrive?

  • Any current UCI faculty, student, or staff member can borrow e-books from OverDrive.

How do I get to OverDrive?

Do I need to create an OverDrive account?

  • You do not need to create a separate OverDrive account if you are using a browser. Your UCInetID and password are sufficient.
    If you use the Libby or OverDrive App (more info below), you will need to create a username/password. Using an app is the preferred reading/viewing experience.

How do I read books on OverDrive?

  • Computer or laptop -- read in a web browser or download to Adobe Digital Editions
  • Phone or tablet: download the Libby App or the OverDrive App
  • Nook
  • eReaders: Use Adobe Digital Editions
  • Kindle ereader: you'll be asked to log into Amazon to send to Kindle.  Not all OverDrive titles are available for Kindle.  Look at the Format information for each title, to see if the Kindle format is available, or use the Kindle tab at the top of the OverDrive platform to limit to titles available in the Kindle format.  
    OverDrive eBooks Format Screenshot​

How long can I borrow an OverDrive ebook?

  • You can select either 7 or 14 days. Materials will be returned automatically. There are no late fees.

How many OverDrive books can I borrow at one time?

  • You can borrow up to 5 books at once.

How do I renew OverDrive books?

  • Before a book is due, you will have the option to renew from your OverDrive loans page.

How do I place a hold on an OverDrive book?

  • If a book is checked out by another patron, simply put a hold on the book in OverDrive. You will receive an email when the book is available. You may place a hold on up to 5 books at a time.

What is OverDrive's Privacy Policy, i.e. do they store my data?

USING THE LIBBY APP

The Libby App is a free product that allows you to download and read ebooks from your OverDrive Digital Library.
Note: the OverDrive app mentioned below also works -- Libby simply offers an alternative interface that most people prefer.

Watch: Explore the Libby App 

Read: https://static.od-cdn.com/Libby.pdf

Need More Help?

Directions:

  1. Download the App from your preferred App Store.
  2. You will be prompted to add your library (University of California Irvine)
  3. You will get the messages:
    1. Let's add a library card for UCI. Enter Library Account.
    2. At this library, you sign into your card via a secure website. We'll open this site for you now.
    3. Libby wants to use OverDrive.com to Sign in. Continue.
  4. You are then taken to a page to enter in your UCInetID and Password.
  5. You will get an image of a generic library card that you can rename if you want.
  6. You now have access to UCI Libraries ebook content in OverDrive.

USING THE OVERDRIVE APP

The OverDrive App is a free product that allows you to download and read ebooks from your OverDrive digital library. Please note that the OverDrive App is being sunset in 2022 in favor of the Libby App mentioned above.

Watch: Explore the OverDrive App 

Read: Questions about using the OverDrive App.

Directions:

  1. Download the App from your preferred App Store (Apple, Amazon, Google Play, Chrome Web Store).
  2. Click on Sign Up (NOT SIGN IN). Do not try to enter a library card number
  3. Enter Your Details
    • Create a username and password. (Note: this does not have to be your UCInetID.)
  4. Add University of California Irvine to Your Libraries (search "Irvine")
  5. You should now be at the UCI OverDrive Home Page.
  6. Test by borrowing a book.
  7. You will now be prompted to enter your UCInetID/Password now. (Most likely you'll be
    remembered from now on and will not need to re-enter this password.)
  8. The book will now be on your Loans Page and you can decide how to you want to read it (download, send to Kindle, etc.). If you downloaded it, you can get to the text by accessing your Bookshelf.

In the OverDrive Aap there is also a Help Page that can help answer common questions.

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