Readers can save some serious money on ebooks by borrowing them from the public library. The vast majority of branches and controsiums use Overdrive to power their digital collection and the Kobo Forma has built in support for Overdrive.
The first thing you need to do is get a physical library card from your library and a four digit PIN code. Once you have this in your position simply access the settings menu and select Overdrive. It will prompt you for the library card number and then display the library system associated with the card. Exit out of the settings menu and click on the Kobo Store and there will be a new option on the navigation bar that lists your local library. When clicked, you will be greeted by their digital collection, often the front-page is curated by staff at the local branch. Simply find a title you like and then click on the 3 dots next to the buy button and there will be a Borrow with Overdrive option. Once this is clicked it will automatically download to your e-reader.
The ebook will be automatically returned to the library after a certain duration. Some libraries have a 7, 14 or 20 day loan period. There is an option to return it early by going to the library screen and clicking on the more button. Once it is returned, don’t forget to remove the book from the e-reader, since it is not automatically deleted.
Overdrive functionality is only available on the Kobo Aura One, Kobo Aura Edition 2, Kobo H2O Edition 2, Kobo Forma and the Clara HD. Overdrive is offered from thousands of libraries all over the world and available in dozens of countries.
Michael Kozlowski is the editor-in-chief at Good e-Reader and has written about audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years. Newspapers and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times have picked up his articles. He Lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
