Check-Out FREE eBooks via the Northland Library Website

In cooperation with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Library Association, Northland Public Library offers a FREE e-lending library of over 25,000 titles of eBooks (electronic books) for you to temporarily download to an electronic device such as a Tablet (iPad, Kindle Fire), SMART phone (iPhone, Android) or Reader (Nook, Kindle Touch).

You can choose to check-out an eBook for 7, 14, or 21 days. The best part is: NO RETURNS and NO LATE FEES. The eBook that you have checked-out simply expires on the end-date and is automatically returned to the pool of titles for someone else to check-out. In addition, you can have 10 titles checked-out at any given time.

Typically, there are several copies of each title available for check-out. If no copies are available, you can choose to “Place a Hold” so that you are added to a waitlist and as copies are returned, you will receive an email that a copy is available once you have advanced through the waitlist. However, if you simply cannot wait until a copy is available, you can choose to “Buy it Now” to pay for the title to download and it will never expire.

This e-lending library service is offered through free Internet software called “Overdrive”. To get Overdrive, go to www.northlandlibrary.org and click on the “eBooks & More” tab. Scroll down and you will see an entry for Overdrive that includes Getting Started information and a List of Compatible Devices, so you can know if your device will enable you to check-out free eBooks. Click the icon next to the entry and you enter Overdrive.

Here are some recommended tips for using Overdrive:

·         Know what kind of device you have or want to use. For example, is it a Kindle, a Nook, an iPad, something else? Overdrive will work differently depending on the type of electronic device you want to use. For example, when you check-out an eBook you will need to select the Kindle format if your device is any type of Kindle or uses a Kindle App. H,owever you will need to choose the ePUB format, if your device is something else such as a Nook or iPad.

·         Make sure your electronic device is charged. Many devices recommend charging for a full 24 hours before you use your device for the first time.

·         Have an email account. Your electronic device, as well as, Overdrive will need to email you.

·         Sign up for an account that corresponds to your device. For example, if you have a Kindle then you will need an Amazon account; if you have an iPad then you will need and iTunes account; if you have a Nook then you will need a Barnes and Noble account and so forth. Be sure and know your Username and Password for the account.

·         Most importantly: Have a VALID, up-to-date, Library Card. Library Cards expire every 2 years even if you are a frequent user. Drop by Northland to update your library card because you will need to enter the number on your library card (without spaces) in order to login to Overdrive when you find a book you want to check-out.

Overdrive is full of fun and convenient features, such as selecting “Available Now” under the Advanced Search so you can avoid seeing all the books that are completely checked out. Under “My Digital Account”, you can see which titles you currently have out and how many days you have left for each before they expire. As you browse, you can add a book that you may want to read at a future time to a wishlist then you can check it out or place it on hold at a later date. Under “Digital Media Home” you can see all the new titles, titles for children, titles that are always available and my personal favorite: “Recently Returned” - which lists those books that my fellow readers in the area have most recently checked-out. It is a great way to find a great book (or maybe as a Pittsburgher, I’m just a little-bit ‘nebby’).

For more information about eBooks, go to the Northland Public Library website at www.northlandlibrary.org . They update the site frequently to list all their programs, events and e-services. Many classes fill up fast so be sure and sign-up early.
I hope you will join me in the cyber version of the Northland Public Library.