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E-books

Everything you need to know to use the e-books in our collections, including OverDrive or free e-books on the Web.

How is Libby different from the OverDrive app?

How is Libby different from the OverDrive app?

Both Libby and the classic OverDrive app allow you to borrow and read the same digital content from your library, but they look and feel different.

Libby has a fresh, easy-to-use design that makes it the best app for most digital library users (in our opinion). Here are some features unique to Libby:

  • Simple, step-by-step on-boarding the first time you open the app
  • Loans and holds are automatically added to your Shelf (from all your libraries), so you can easily find all your books in one place
  • Start reading immediately after you borrow; no need to choose a file format
  • See your at-a-glance progress through each book on your Shelf
  • Navigate easily between your Shelf and your library's catalog
  • Add, remove, and rename cards from all your libraries in one place
  • Use tags to categorize books however you'd like
  • Set browsing and list preferences to show only the content you're interested in

-Libby Help - Frequently Asked Questions

Help using OverDrive

Find more information…

Unable to find the answers to your questions in any of the above help categories? Please contact support with a detailed description of your problem or question.

In order to facilitate troubleshooting, please include the following information in your correspondence…

  • Steps to reproduce the problem (in as much detail as possible)
  • Exact text of any error messages (screen shots are helpful)
  • URL(s) of any error page(s) you encounter
  • Library card number
  • Title(s) of problem file(s)
  • Problem Part(s)
  • MP3 player make and model

Libby / OverDrive

 

Use the OverDrive Catalog or your Libby app by OverDrive to find free downloadable audiobooks, magazines, and e-books including fiction and nonfiction for adults, teens, and children. To learn how to get the Libby app, continue reading below! OverDrive and Libby are a part of the same company so you may find that the items you check out in one of the apps or website will also be available to you in the others. 

Use Libby on your browser here: Libbyapp.com

Getting Started

Step 1 - Download and install free software 

As a first step, you need to download and install the free software.

Install the Libby app from the app store on your Android, iOS (iPhone/iPad), or Windows 10 device. Or, visit libbyapp.com in your Chrome, Firefox, or Safari browser.


Step 2 - Find your library and sign in

In Libby, follow the prompts to find your library and sign in with a valid library card. For McQuade Library patrons, your library will be listed as NOBLE (North of Boston Library Exchange).


Step 3 - Check out, download, and enjoy

Search this app by tapping the magnifying glass on the bottom left corner of your device and typing your desired title into the search bar. If you prefer to browse, tap the icon next to the magnifying glass to look through our awesome virtual displays and curated guides.

Once you find your book or magazine, you can tap on it and tap "borrow." If the title you are searching for is already checked out, you can press "place hold." The calendar icon below this will let you know how long the estimated wait time is. 


Step 4: Look at your "shelf"

Borrowed titles appear under Shelf. Loans and downloads to the app automatically when you're on Wi-Fi, so you can read them when you’re offline.
From your Loans, you can:

  • Tap Read With... to choose whether you'd like to open a book in Kindle (U.S. libraries only) or Libby.
  • Tap Open Audiobook or Open Magazine to start reading or listening to that title.
  • Tap Manage Loan to see options like Renew and Return.

For more tips on how to use the Libby app, watch tutorial videos at Libby Help Videos. 

For more help with the Libby app visit Libby Help or email us at mcquade@merrimack.edu

Libby Help - Frequently Asked Questions 

If you prefer to use Overdrive, you can use the website and/or the free OverDrive app to enjoy digital titles from the library.

NOTE: The OverDrive app is available for Android™, Chromebook™, iOS®, Kindle Fire®, and Windows® 8 and up. If you have an Android, iOS, or Windows 10 device, you can also try Libby, OverDrive's new one-tap reading app.

Step 1
Install the OverDrive app from your device's app store or from app.overdrive.com.


Step 2
Sign up for an account with the OverDrive app using the barcode on the back of your MACKcard and typing "McQuade Library" into the "Find your Library" page. McQuade Library is a part of NOBLE (North of Boston Library Exchange) Library Patrons.


Step 3
Find and save your library's OverDrive collection in the app.


Step 4
Open your library's OverDrive collection, sign in, and borrow a title. You'll need a valid library card for this
step.


Step 5
After you borrow a title, you can:

  • Send a Kindle Book (U.S. only) to your Kindle device or Kindle reading app.
  •  Download the title to your Bookshelf in the OverDrive app.
  • Select Read now in browser to read certain titles in your web browser.

NOTE: Digital formats and titles vary by library, and some enjoyment options may not be available for every title.

Step 1: To access OverDrive/Libby from your browser. go to https://noble.overdrive.com/noble-merrimack/content


Step 2: Click "Sign in." 


Step 3: Sign in with your library card by clicking "SELECT YOUR LIBRARY FROM THE LIST BELOW:" and selecting "NOBLE Library Patrons."

Note: NOBLE is North of Boston Library Exchange and McQuade Library is a part of this consortium.


Step 4: Type in your library card number on the back of your MACKcard, click "REMEMBER MY CARD NUMBER ON THIS DEVICE," then sign in.


Step 5: Browse or search the site for books or magazines that interest you!


Step 6: To check out a book/magazine, click on the image and then press "BORROW" or "PLACE HOLD" if the item is not available. Be sure to choose the amount of days you hope to borrow this item for (7,14, or 21 days). 


Step 7: View items you checked out by clicking on the bookshelf icon or "My account" and "Loans."


For more help with OverDrive, visit OverDrive Help or email the Reference/Access Services Librarian Gabby Womack at womackg@merrimack.edu. 

OverDrive and Libby Basics

When using OverDrive/Libby you can...

  • Check out up to 6 titles at a time
  • Choose between a 1-3 week loan period for ebooks and audiobooks
  • Place up to 10 holds on titles that are currently checked out
  • Save up to 5,000 titles to a wish list

You can check out and download the following types of digital materials in Overdrive...

  • Adobe® EPUB eBooks
  • Kindle Books
  • OverDrive WMA Audiobooks
  • OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks

OverDrive also allows you to access and read your borrowed books without downloading any files to your computer or device.

To access these digital materials you need…

  • A valid library card
  • Internet access
  • A computer or device that meets the system requirements for the type(s) of digital materials you wish to check out
  • The free application

A guided tour of this service is available…

For questions or feedback contact the McQuade Library
Call us: 978-837-5177 | Text us:  978-228-2275 | Email us: mcquade@merrimack.edu