Books on Your Device
You can read or listen to books on most current mobile devices, e-readers or your computer, for free with your Library card. Find out how to get started with our digital book services.
OverDrive
OverDrive gives you free access to thousands of e-books and audiobooks with your Library card. You can access OverDrive e-books and audiobooks on your computer or most devices. On this page you can learn how to get started with OverDrive on your device.
- Borrow e-books and audiobooks for three weeks
- Find e-books and audiobooks in our online catalog
- No software is required but you can download OverDrive's Libby app to explore on iOS, Android or Microsoft devices
- You can play and download e-books and audiobooks in standard web browsers for Windows and Mac
- E-books and e-audiobooks are checked in automatically after 21 days, unless you renew them
- If there are no holds on an item, you can renew it up to three days before its due date
Visit OverDrive to find e-books and e-audiobooks, and manage your holds and checkouts. On their site you can:
- Return items early or renew them
- Suspend holds to checkout at a later date
- View Kindle and other format availability
Using OverDrive on your device
How do I get started with my iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, or Android?
Libby by OverDrive App Instructions
E-book format: EPUB and MP3
- Go to the Apple App store or Google Play to download and install the Libby by OverDrive app
- Follow the prompts to find your library (Seattle Public Library)
- Enter your library card number and PIN
- Use the “Library” section of the app to browse and check out e-books (you may need to place a hold on popular items)
- E-books download directly to the app’s “Shelf” via Wi-Fi
- Use the “Shelf” section to find your loans, manage your account, and read/listen offline
Check out the Libby Help site for more information
How do I get started with my Kindle (and 1st generation Kindle Fire)
E-book format: Kindle
- Log into your library account
- Find an e-book you want and check it out (You may need to place a hold on popular items)
- Click on the Download button and choose the Kindle format
- You'll be sent to Amazon.com. Log in to the Amazon account associated with your Kindle and click “Get Library Book”
- The e-book will sync with your Kindle (or Kindle app) via WiFi
Note: Return your e-book early from your Amazon.com account
How do I get started with my Kindle Fire?
E-book formats: Kindle & EPUB
- Download the OverDrive app to your Kindle Fire
- Authorize the OverDrive app with an OverDrive account
- Add "The Seattle Public Library" to My Libraries
- Using the OverDrive app, log into your library account, find an e-book you want and check it out (You may need to place a hold on popular items)
- Tap on the Download button and choose the Kindle format if available (Note: if a Kindle format is not available, use the EPUB format with the OverDrive app)
- You'll be sent to Amazon.com. Log in to the Amazon account associated with your Kindle and click “Get Library Book”
- The e-book will sync with your Kindle Fire via WiFi
Note: Return your e-book early from your Amazon.com account
How do I get started with a PC or Mac?
E-Books:
E-Readers (if using a device in combination with PC or Mac)
Most e-books can be read in your browser online. Download for offline use or to transfer to an e-reader.
Download steps for e-Book formats: EPUB & PDF
- Download Adobe Digital Editions to your computer
- Authorize Adobe Digital Editions with an Adobe ID
- Log into your library account
- Find an e-book you want and check it out (You may need to place a hold on popular items)
- Click on the Download button and choose the EPUB or PDF format. The book will appear in Adobe Digital Editions
- Plug your Nook or Kobo into your computer with its USB cord
- In Adobe Digital Editions, "drag and drop" the e-book into your e-reader
Audiobooks:
You can listen to audiobooks in your browser online. Download for offline use or to transfer to an MP3 player. (Downloading is not an option for Mac computers with OSX 10.15 or greater.)
Audiobook formats: MP3
- Download the OverDrive app to your computer
- Log into your library account
- Find an audiobook you want and check it out (You may need to place a hold on popular items)
- Click on the Download button and choose the MP3 format. The book will download to the OverDrive Media Console
- Transfer to an approved device, by plugging your device into your computer via its USB cable, and clicking on the Transfer button in the OverDrive Media Console
More available devices:
Get instructions for using OverDrive on other devices:
Safari Books Online
Read over 4,000 technology books online with Safari Books Online. Learn development languages, project management, how to run a lean startup and more. Read unlimited Safari Books Online for free with your Library card.
- Learn how to develop software and mobile apps and print pages for offline access
- No software is required but you can download the O'Reilly app for iOS or Android
- Read technology books online with standard web browsers for Windows and Mac
- A library card is required to use Safari Books Online
- You can read online anytime with no due dates
BookFlix
BookFlix pairs animated stories with real world concepts for early readers up to 3rd grade. Animated stories and interactive games keep young readers engaged and help build vocabulary.
- Access BookFlix using an iPad, Chromebook, Windows PC or Mac
- Explore nine themes of stories paired with nonfiction resources:
- Animals and Nature
- Earth and Sky
- Family and Community
- People and Places
- Music and Rhyme
- ABC's and 1,2,3's
- Adventure
- Imagination
- Celebrations
TumbleBookLibrary
Help your child build reading, math and language skills with this fun collection of animated, talking picture books for preschool and elementary-age children. Includes some books in French and Spanish.
Hoopla Digital Comics
You can read thousands of comics and graphic novels online for free from Hoopla. Sign in with your Library card from your internet-connected device and start reading now.