How to Borrow Books on Kindle

This wikiHow teaches you how borrow an ebook that you can read on your Kindle. If you're in the United States, you can use a free service called OverDrive to borrow Kindle books from your local library branch or school. This usually requires having a library card at the desired branch, as well as a username and password for your library's website. You'll also learn how to lend books from your own Kindle library to friends and family members who also have Kindles (and vice-versa).

[Edit]Steps

[Edit]Borrowing with OverDrive on a Computer

1. Go to https://www.overdrive.com. OverDrive is a free service affiliated with most US-based libraries that lets you borrow ebooks for your Kindle.^[1]
   
   • You must have a library card to borrow Kindle books through OverDrive.
   • When you borrow a Kindle book from OverDrive, you can read it like any other book on your Kindle.
2. Click . It's a link at the top-right corner of the OverDrive homepage. This opens a map on the screen.
   
3. Search for your local library. Enter your address, city and state, and/or zip code into the box at the top-left corner of the page to find participating libraries in your area. Press the Enter or Return key to display results on the map and in the left column.
   
   • If you're borrowing from your school library, try entering your school's name.
4. Click your library's name in the left panel. This marks your library on the map and opens a small window at that location.
   
5. Click on the map. This takes you to your library's homepage on OverDrive.com.
   
6. Sign in to your library account. This step varies by library, but you'll generally have to enter your library card number and a password to sign in.
   
   • If you're signing in to a school library, you may need to use your school's web account instead.
7. Search for an ebook. Click the Search icon at the top to search by title, author name, or keyword. If a book matches what you've entered, it will appear in the search results.
   
   • Refine the search results to display only Kindle books. To make sure you're only looking at books that will work on your Kindle, double-click Ebooks in the left panel and select Kindle Book.
   • If you'd rather browse for something new, click the Kindle Books link at the top of the page to refine the results, then use the menu along the left side of the page to browse by category and other criteria.
8. Click the book you want to borrow. This displays information about the book, including whether any copies are available to borrow.
   
9. Click . If the book is available, you'll see this option to the right of the book's cover image.
   
   • Some libraries give you the option to choose a lending period at this point. If you choose a lending period, click Borrow again when you're finished.
   • If the book is not available, you'll usually see the option to Place a Hold instead. Above this option you'll find the estimated wait time.
10. Choose the option to . Depending on your library, you may see this option after clicking Borrow. If you don't, click the Accounts menu at the top-right corner of the page, select Checkouts, select the book, and then click Read now with Kindle. This opens your account on Amazon.com.
    
    • If your Kindle is not connected to Wi-Fi already, connect it now.
11. Select your Kindle from the "Deliver to" menu. If you're already signed in to your Amazon.com account, you'll see this option under the yellow button that says "Get Library Book." If you don't see it, skip to the next step.
    
12. Click the yellow button. If you were already signed in to your Amazon account, this will add the ebook to your Kindle. If not, you'll be prompted to sign in now, select your Kindle, and then click Get Library Book to start the transfer.
    
    • Your ebook will automatically be returned to the library after the loan period is over.

[Edit]Borrowing with OverDrive on a Phone or Tablet

1. Install the OverDrive app from the App Store or Play Store . You can use the free OverDrive app to borrow Kindle ebooks from most local United States-based libraries. Search for on your Android, iPhone, or iPhone's store, tap the option with a blue-and-white "O" icon, and then tap GET or INSTALL to install.
   
2. Open OverDrive. If you're still in the App Store or Play Store, tap Open once the app is installed to open it. If not, tap the new O icon on your home screen or in your app list.
   
3. Tap . It's the option at the top of the screen. This takes you to the OverDrive sign-up page.
   
4. Sign up with your library card or create an OverDrive account. You can usually sign in with your library card number and password—this is the same info you'd use to access your library's website. To do this, tap the orange Library card button, select your library, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
   
   • Another option is to fill out the form, create a password, and tap Sign up to create an OverDrive account. Once signed in, tap the top-left corner to open the menu, select Manage libraries or Add a library, and select your library to open its ebook list.^[2] If you're using an Android, tap the star to add your library.
   • If you're signing in through your school library, create an OverDrive account, add your school library, and log in using your school's credentials if prompted.
5. Search or browse for an ebook. Once you're signed in to your library, you'll be redirected to their ebook collection. Browse the selection or search by title or author name.
   
6. Tap the book you want to borrow. If the book is available for your Kindle, you'll see a Read now with Kindle option.^[3] If not, keep browsing for another book.
   
7. Tap if available. This will take you to Amazon's website or app (if installed) to finish the borrowing task.
   
   • If your Kindle is not already connected to Wi-Fi, now would be the time to connect it.^[4]
8. Select your Kindle from the "Deliver to" menu. If you're already signed in to your Amazon.com account, you'll see this option under the yellow button that says "Get Library Book." If you don't see it, skip to the next step.
   
9. Tap the yellow button. If you were already signed in, this will add the ebook to your Kindle. If not, you'll be prompted to sign in now, select your Kindle, and then tap Get Library Book again.
   
   • Your ebook will automatically be returned to the library when the loan period is complete.

[Edit]Borrowing a Kindle Book from a Friend or Family Member

1. Ask your friend or family member to loan the book to you through Amazon. If someone has a Kindle book they'd like to loan you, they can do so for up to 14 days through Amazon.com.^[5] The person who is lending the book to you should follow these steps:
   
   • Go to https://www.amazon.com/mycd on a phone or tablet
   • Sign in to their Amazon account.
   • Locate the book they want to lend you.
   • Click the Actions button next to the book title and select Loan this title.
   • Enter your (the person receiving the book) email address and select Send.
   • Select Send Now.
2. Open the loan notification message from Amazon. When someone loans you a Kindle book, you'll receive an email with the subject "A Loaned Book for You." It should come within a few moments of being shared by its owner.
   
   • If your Kindle is not connected to Wi-Fi already, connect it now.
3. Click or tap in the email message. This opens a page on Amazon.com that will help you accept the loan.
   
   • If you are not signed in to Amazon automatically, follow the on-screen instructions to sign in now.
4. Select your Kindle. If you don't have a Kindle, you can follow the on-screen instructions to download the Kindle app to your computer, phone, or tablet.
   
5. Click or tap . This transfers the loaned title to your Kindle so you can read it once away. After the borrowing period ends, the ebook will be returned to its owner automatically.
   
   • The owner cannot read their version of the ebook while it is on loan.

[Edit]Tips

• When searching for a book in your library’s ebook listings, enclose the title in quotes in the search bar; that way you are most likely to find the exact match without having to browse through hundreds of titles.
• There are many websites that offer free ebooks, including Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) and The Internet Archive. https://archive.org/index.php
• Not all Kindle books are available for lending to others.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Borrow Books from the Library for a Nook
• Download Books to a Kindle Fire
• Buy Cheap College Textbooks
• Share Books on Kindle
• Archive a Book on a Kindle
• Redownload an Archived Book on a Kindle 2

[Edit]References

[Edit]Quick Summary

1. ↑ https://help.overdrive.com/en-us/0431.html
2. ↑ https://help.overdrive.com/en-us/0327.html
3. ↑ https://help.overdrive.com/en-us/1308.html?tocpath=Home%7CGet%20help%20with%20the%20OverDrive%20app%7CAndroid%7C_____2#thundercontent
4. ↑ https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_left_v4_sib?ie=UTF8&nodeId=GUWACXF9HENBXTQP
5. ↑ https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html/ref=hp_left_v4_sib?ie=UTF8&nodeId=GJUXNRAHSH6LX6FA

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