We have a wide selection of eBooks and eAudiobooks for our members to download free. We offer a range of titles which our members can borrow using their library card and PIN

We use two suppliers for our E Library and the easiest way to borrow items is to download their apps to your tablet or mobile. If you don’t have a mobile device, you can download items to your PC or laptop via their websites.

Libby logo Libby

BorrowBox

How to borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks

You will need your Explore York library card and PIN to sign in to the apps or websites and will be able to download or reserve (hold) eBooks and eAudiobooks straightaway. The first time you use the apps you will need to find us in a list and you can search for either York or Explore.

Once you have downloaded the apps you can also use our online catalogue to search across our entire E Library and download eBooks and eAudiobooks from both Libby and BorrowBox directly to your account from our catalogue to read within the apps on your mobile devices or read in your browser.

If you use the My Account link on our online catalogue you are able to see all of your print and E Library loans and reservations in one place.

Hints and tips

EPUB eBooks

If you’re using a PC or laptop you will be able to read eBooks on your internet browser without any software downloads required. If you would like to download EPUB format books, you’ll need to download some free software before you start downloading. See How to install Adobe Digital Editions on a computer for more information, this software will work with both Libby and BorrowBox.

eReaders

You can access our eBooks on some eReaders

  • Kindle e-readers – Amazon use their own format for eBooks, so their eReaders are not compatible with our library eBooks.
  • Kobo – on modern Kobo eReaders you can borrow Libby eBooks directly on your device. Follow Kobo’s instructions for using Overdrive on their eReaders.
  • Older Kobos and other eReaders – Follow the instructions for PCs How to install Adobe Digital Editions on a computer above, then transfer the eBooks onto your device by dragging and dropping from Adobe Digital Editions. On BorrowBox you will be offered the choice to read in your browser or download for eReader

eAudiobooks

If you are using the Libby or BorrowBox apps on a mobile device you can download eAudiobooks to listen to on the apps. If you are using a PC or laptop you can play eAudiobooks within your browser with no downloads required.

Where to find help

There are help pages on Libby and BorrowBox