Overdrive Pioneer Library System (2024)

FAQs

Why are libraries getting rid of OverDrive? ›

Discontinuing the OverDrive app allows our development teams to focus their efforts on Libby. We also want to make it as easy a possible to promote your digital library to your users. Having one app simplifies how you train your users, answer questions, and stay up to date with changes.

Which app should I use? If you use one iOS or Android device to browse, download, and read or listen to digital books, we recommend trying Libby. It's a great one-device experience. If you like to read books on many devices, or prefer to browse for new titles on your computer, stick with the OverDrive app for now.

Your library doesn't have a digital collection with OverDrive (the developers of Libby). If you can't find your public library via Libby's search, we recommend that you contact your library to let them know you're interested in using OverDrive's services, including Libby.

Upgrade to Libby. On May 1, 2023, the OverDrive app was discontinued. We encourage you to make the switch to Libby, our newer reading app. Libby is made by the same people, with the same goal of connecting you to your library and to your favorite books, audiobooks, and magazines.

Libby is built by OverDrive, who also developed the legacy OverDrive app. Libby features the same free digital content from your library that you may have enjoyed in the OverDrive app. However, Libby was designed to make finding, borrowing, and enjoying free digital titles easier than ever.

How do I start using OverDrive Read? To get started, open your web browser and borrow a title that's available in the OverDrive Read format from your library's OverDrive website. Then, click or tap the Read now in browser button to begin reading it immediately using OverDrive Read.

In the menu

Under "Your Libraries," you can manage your library cards and add libraries to Libby. If you've added multiple libraries, you can switch between them by selecting a library from this list.

For some users, Hoopla can feel like a step-up from Libby. This is because users can borrow more varieties of materials, and they can even stream television shows and movies from different devices like a smart TV.

Can you use both Libby and OverDrive? ›

The OverDrive app will be discontinued on May 1, 2023. You can continue to use the OverDrive app up until that date, but I recommend downloading Libby now to begin to familiarize yourself with navigation and the borrowing process as soon as you can. You can even use both apps simultaneously.

The idea behind ceasing development and shutting down OverDrive is to shift the focus of the company's development teams to just Libby, according to the company.

Even if you create an OverDrive account, you'll still need a library card to sign into your library and borrow digital titles. Note: You don't need an OverDrive account to use Libby.

Tap Add a library. Enter your library's name, city, or postal code in the search box, then tap Search. Tap your library. You'll be redirected to the library's digital collection to start browsing right away, and the library will automatically be saved to your "My libraries" list.

It was discontinued at the end of April 2023. OverDrive's 2nd generation and only app to use is called Libby.

As of May 1, 2023, the OverDrive app will be discontinued.

For patrons who use the legacy OverDrive app on their desktop computer to download eAudiobooks and transfer them to MP3 players; this software will remain for those who have already downloaded it and are using it.

Overdrive turned on or off? That depends on your hardware, your own preference, and the brand of the monitor you have. Overdrive also has downsides, like when you increase the overdrive settings too much. This can result in inverse ghosting or trailing effects, so the images appear on the screen too soon.

All you have to do is download the book onto your device, then remove that device's access to the Internet. Once you've done that, even if your time expires, you will not lose the book because your device has to be connected to the Internet in order for Overdrive to retrieve the audiobook from you.