Replacing OverDrive with Libby

You may have heard the news by now that OverDrive, Inc. has decided to discontinue the OverDrive app in 2023. You may be wondering, “What does this mean for me? I love having free eBook access from the library!” Have no fear! OverDrive, Inc. has a second library app called Libby that will give you all the same access to the library’s eBook and audio book collection with a more user friendly app experience! 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. Staff from the Aurora Public Library District will be with you every step of the transition. Feel free to give us a call at 812-926-0646 with any questions or stop into the Aurora or Dillsboro Branch with your device for in-person help with the new app. Make the switch soon because the OverDrive app will be completely discontinued by the end of April 2023.

FAQs

Why is the OverDrive app being discontinued?

OverDrive, Inc. has decided to focus their efforts on Libby and providing the best reading experience in one app. Unfortunately this is beyond the Library’s control.

Can I use Libby with my Kindle Fire?

Yes! You can sideload the app on your Kindle Fire tablet. Sideloading apps from sources you trust is safe and easy. Follow these instructions from Libby to sideload the app on your Kindle Fire.

What devices can I use with Libby?

You can download the Libby app on your mobile device or use Libby in your computer’s web browser.

You can download Libby on:

-iOS 10+ (get it from the Apple App Store)

-Android 5.0+ (get it on Google Play)

-Fire OS 5+ (get it directly from OverDrive Inc, the developers of Libby)

If you have a Windows computer, Mac computer, or a Chromebook, you can use Libby in your web browser at libbyapp.com. We suggest using the latest version of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge.

How do I sign in?

When you open Libby for the first time, follow the prompts to find our library and sign in with your library card and pin number. Make sure you choose the Aurora Public Library in Indiana and not Colorado or Illinois. It will say Indiana Digital Library. If you don’t have a pin number or do not remember it please give us a call so we can set one up for you.

Will my current loans and holds carry over to Libby?

Yes, your current loans and holds from the OverDrive app will be added to Libby as soon as you add your library card.

Note: Reading progress and bookmarks from the OverDrive app won’t sync to Libby when you switch. You may want to finish your current loans before switching or make a note of your progress and manually pick up where you left off in Libby.

How do I navigate the app?

Using the icons in the footer, you can:

-Tap search to search for titles.

-Tap Library to open the library collection you were most recently browsing.

-Tap shelf to see your loans, holds, and tags for all your libraries.

-Tap timeline to see your timeline.

Check out Libby’s FAQ page for more frequently asked questions.

#BigLibraryRead with Libby!

This fall, get ready to cozy up with a great new book without holds, waitlists, or overdue dates thanks to Libby! Overdrive, Libby’s parent company, is starting another #BigLibraryRead this November, providing all Libby users with free simultaneous reader access to A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger.

Nina is a Lipan girl in our world. She’s always felt there was something more out there. She still believes in the old stories.

Oli is a cottonmouth kid, from the land of spirits and monsters. Like all cottonmouths, he’s been cast from home. He’s found a new one on the banks of the bottomless lake.

Nina and Oli have no idea the other exists. But a catastrophic event on Earth, and a strange sickness that befalls Oli’s best friend, will drive their worlds together in ways they haven’t been in centuries.

And there are some who will kill to keep them apart.

Join in the conversation with other readers from around the world by visiting biglibraryread.com and selecting the discussion forum. Make a social media post about your reading adventures with the hashtag #BigLibraryRead to be entered for a chance to win a blanket, a new tablet, and some cool Libby swag!

Start reading November 2nd by logging onto Libby and checking out the title. It’s that simple! Not sure how to start reading e-books and e-audiobooks on Libby? Just ask a librarian or give us a call to get set up. This book club ends November 16th, so check out this title as soon as you can!

New Location for Our Digital Content

Indiana Digital Library

You may have noticed on our Overdrive page that our digital content is moving to a new location. Don’t panic! The Library District will still be using Overdrive as our primary source for digital content, but most of the Public Libraries in Indiana have chosen to merge into a single digital consortium. The transfer of content to the new Indiana Digital Library is underway at this time. For the next few days, you can still download content from the Indiana Digital Download Center as before. Eventually, that web page will be discontinued and you’ll need to go to: https://idl.overdrive.com/  We’ll be updating the information on the Library webpage, so that new link will be active soon.

The first time you use the new site on each of your computers or devices, or on the Libby app, you’ll probably need your library card handy to enter the your number, along with your PIN.

Why the merger? Pooling the resources of so many libraries will allow us to make better use of your money. Also, the Indiana State Library has agreed to cover the Overdrive platform fee – that’s your taxpayer money at work again! The new Indiana Digital Library will also have a team of librarians actively managing the collection and making purchases of high-interest titles to keep wait times shorter.

If you have any questions or problems during the transition, just give us a call at 812-926-0646.

Together We Read

For the next two weeks (February 10-24), you have the opportunity to participate in an online community of readers all reading Love Lettering by Kate Clayborn. This title is available through The Indiana Digital Download Center (IDCC) with no waitlists or holds! It’s available as both an ebook and audio-book, and we also have print copies at the library. The IDCC also has special features like an author interview, discussion questions, and the chance to participate in discussion with other readers.

This romance is a perfect choice for February!

One of the most beloved romantic comedies of 2020, Love Lettering is a heart-melting and touching story that fans of Tessa Bailey, Jen DeLuca, and Emily Henry cannot miss. In this warm and witty romance from acclaimed author Kate Clayborn, one little word puts a woman’s business—and her heart—in jeopardy.

Meg Mackworth’s hand-lettering skill has made her famous as the Planner of Park Slope, designing custom journals for her New York City clientele. She has another skill too: reading signs that other people miss. Knowing the upcoming marriage of Reid Sutherland and his polished fiancée was doomed to fail is one thing, but weaving a secret word of warning into their wedding program is another. Meg may have thought no one would spot it, but she hadn’t counted on sharp-eyed, pattern-obsessed Reid.

A year later, Reid has tracked Meg down to find out how she knew that his meticulously planned future was about to implode. But with a looming deadline and a bad case of creative block, Meg doesn’t have time for Reid’s questions—unless he can help her find her missing inspiration. As they gradually open up to each other, both try to ignore a deepening connection between them. But the signs are there—irresistible, indisputable, urging Meg to heed the messages Reid is sending her, before it’s too late.

Check Out These Digital Resources! Updated 4/1

Some, but not all,  of these free resources require an Aurora Public Library Card and a PIN. If you have a library card, but get blocked because your card has expired or you have forgotten your PIN, send an email to contact@EAPLD.org. I will try to address your issue the next time I’m in the library building.

New on 4/1:

New on 3/24: Mid-America Books is giving free access to all their e-books and databases through June 2020.

 

New on 3/24: Teaching Books resources – free access through at least the middle of September.

NEW: TumbleBooks is making their database of ebooks available FREE to all Public Libraries through the end of August 2020. Just click on the link to read the book on a computer or other device. Library card and PIN are NOT required, so spread the word! A big thanks to the folks at TumbleBooks who made this available to community members who don’t currently have a library card!

 

 

K-6 children’s ebooks

K-6 math ebooks

Ebooks for grades 7-12

Audiobooks for all ages

Adult Romance books: Just so you know, Tumblebooks describe these as “Steamy Romance novels”

Indiana Digital Download Center: Free downloads of ebooks, audiobooks, movies, and magazines. Requires a valid Aurora Public Library District card and PIN. If you’ve used your library card recently, we’ve updated your expiration date to be good through the end of May 2020. If you have an expired card, send me a message at contact@eapld.org Let’s be kind to each other by remembering to return our digital items after we’ve read them! Remember the Magazines are simultaneous use, so never any waiting for one of the magazines!

Here’s a tutorial to get you started on digital downloads, if you’re new to this: Getting Started

These resources can be accessed through the Online Resources link of the Library’s web page:

Heritage Quest: This is a great way to begin looking at your family history and can be accessed remotely from a home computer or device. If you’re new to this, you may want to click on Research Aids at the top of the Heritage web page and then “Ancestry Anne’s Top 10 Search Tips” in the “Getting Started” box.

World Book Online and Britannica: Great resources for everyone, and you can select the resources appropriate to each age level.

Small Engine Repair: This is what you need when it’s grass-cutting season and you can’t get your lawn mower started! Also great for chain saws, motorcycles and other small power equipment.

A to Z USA: check this out for information on regional and ethnic foods, including recipes, agricultural products, and historical cookbooks.

Travel and Geographical information is available with these three resources:

    A To Z in the USA

     A to Z World Travel

     Global Road Warriors

We have grouped reliable health resources together under the heading Health and Medical Resources. This group of resources was collated through the work of the American Library Association.

Much, much more is available so scroll through all the resources at: https://eapld.org/online-resources/

 

eBooks or Print Books: The Great Book Format Debate

In today’s world of technology, eBooks have grown to immense popularity. Though, there are still many people who prefer the feel of the books in their hands that print books haven’t gone out of style and may never go out of style. So…which one is winning the fight? 

ROUND ONE:

The average production cost for a $26 hardcover is $4.05.

The average production cost for a $9.99 eBook download is $0.50.

 

ROUND TWO:

A hardcover book can weigh up to 2.2 pounds.

An eBook reader or tablet can weight up to 8.5 ounces.

 

ROUND THREE:

71% of millennials in the UK and the US (those aged 18-34 years old) prefer print books.

37% of millennials prefer eBooks via tablet.

 

AND THE WINNER IS…..

It doesn’t matter what is more popular. Everyone has their preferences and that’s all that matters. If you prefer reading on a tablet, then great! If you prefer reading printed books, great! If you are a hybrid reader (reads anything), then great! AT LEAST YOU ARE READING!!!

 

We Were Liars

E. Lockhart captured me from the very first sentence to the very last sentence. She enthralled me and refused to allow me to place the book down. I don’t know what grabbed me, whether it was the similes or the metaphors or Cadence and Gat, or perhaps it was Cadence herself. It was a beautiful story with beautiful characters and a beautiful ending.

Her writing made me love her as well as made me hate her. It made me cry and it made me laugh.

“A beautiful and distinguished family. A private island. A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy. A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive. A revolution. An accident. A secret. Lies upon lies. True love. The truth.” This summary of the book on Goodreads doesn’t do the book any justice.

The story focuses on “The Liars”, and is told from Cadence’s point of view. She speaks of Mirren and Johnny, Gat and herself. She tells her story and how she remembers and how she overcomes the accident. It speaks of young love and it tells us of regret and rebellion.

Reviews:


“Haunting, sophisticated . . . a novel so twisty and well-told that it will appeal to older readers as well as to adolescents
.” —Wall Street Journal

“A rich, stunning summer mystery with a sharp twist that will leave you dying to talk about the book with a pal or ten.” —Parade.com

“Thrilling, beautiful, and blisteringly smart, We Were Liars is utterly unforgettable.” —John Green, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Fault in Our Stars

“You’re going to want to remember the title. Liars details the summers of a girl who harbors a dark secret, and delivers a satisfying, but shocking twist ending.” —Breia Brissey, Entertainment Weekly

 

E. Lockhart tells such a brilliant and tragic story with less than 300 words.

 

Located:

We Were Liars is available at both Dillsboro and Aurora as well as our digital library.

 

Hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!