Digital Downloads - eBooks


Lincoln City Libraries' Digital Downloads from OverDrive provides a collection of downloadable eBooks that can be checked out for a period of 7, 14, or 21 days for reading on a computer or portable e-reader. Click the button below to access our Digital Downloads:

Digital Downloads

Note: OverDrive has recently introduced some major changes to their service, and we are still working on updating some information on this page. While we continue to update our information, here is a useful introduction to the new features of OverDrive.

Sections of this page:
Additional information: Software Requirements:
  • eBooks for most eReaders (including NOOK, Kobo, and Sony Reader) require that Adobe Digital Editions be installed on your computer. When you check out an eBook from OverDrive, there is a link to allow you to download this software. Versions are available for Windows and Macintosh.
  • eBooks for Kindle require that you have an Amazon account.
  • Apps for Android, Blackberry, NOOK HD, NOOK HD+, NOOK Tablet, NOOK Color, Windows Phone, iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch are available; please see this information for mobile devices.
  • Additional details about OverDrive's software requirements can be found on their Getting Started page.
ePub e-Books

ePub format e-Books are compatible with most e-readers, including NOOK (1st Edition or Simple Touch), Kobo, and Sony; they are not compatible with Kindle. (See below for information about Kindle-compatible eBooks.) Here is a how-to guide for ePub eBooks from OverDrive, and below are two slideshows to help you get started using a computer and an eReader. (Note: an app is now available for the NOOK HD, NOOK HD+, NOOK Tablet, and NOOK Color; please see the information for mobile devices if your NOOK is one of these models.)

Important information for Windows 8 users: the Windows 8 version of the OverDrive Media Console allows ePub e-books to be read on the computer without Adobe Digital Editions software, but the e-Books cannot then be transferred to an e-reader. Additional information for Windows 8 users is available here.


This presentation may be easier to read if viewed on SlideShare.


This presentation may be easier to read if viewed on SlideShare.

If you get an error message saying "Too Many Activations" when you try to authorize your eReader or the Adobe Digital Editions software, here's How to Request Additional Authorizations From Adobe.

Returning ePub e-Books early

If you finish an e-Book before it is due, it is helpful to other Library patrons if you return the book early rather than waiting for it to expire. You can return ePub e-Books early through the Adobe Digital Editions software:
  • For Adobe Digital Editions version 1.7:
    • Open Adobe Digital Editions on your computer.
    • Make sure you are in "Library View" by clicking on the icon showing the book spines near the upper left corner.
    • Click on either "All Items" or "Borrowed." The e-Books you have checked out should show in the right-hand pane.
    • Move your mouse pointer over the cover of the book you want to return; you should see a small triangle appear above the upper left corner of the cover. Click on the triangle to pull down a menu.
    • Click on "Return Borrowed Item."
    • Confirm by clicking "Return."
  • For Adobe Digital Editions version 2.0:
    • Open Adobe Digital Editions on your computer.
    • Select Library from the upper-left-corner.
    • Right-click (control-click for Mac) on the title you'd like to return. Click "Return Borrowed Item."
    • Confirm by clicking "Return."

Kindle e-Books

Kindle-compatible e-Books are now available. Here are the steps for checking out and downloading an eBook for Kindle (this how-to guide may also be helpful):

  1. At this time, the checkout process cannot be done on a Kindle Touch; it must be done on a computer, and the books then transfered to the Kindle via USB cable. The built-in browser on the Kindle Touch is not compatible with the Digital Downloads site.
  2. Log into our Digital Downloads site with your Library card number (please use all 14 digits with no spaces).
  3. Search or browse for a book; we recommend using the Advanced Search options.
  4. Click "Add to eCart." (If the book is not immediately available, you can click "Place eReserve" to be notified by e-mail when it becomes available.)
  5. Click "Proceed to Checkout."
  6. Click "Confirm Checkout."
  7. Choose a lending period (7, 14, or 21 days).
  8. Click the 'Get for Kindle' button. This opens the Amazon.com website. You may be required to sign in with your Amazon.com account if you are not already logged in.
  9. Select a Kindle device or Kindle reading app. Click the 'Get library book' button and sync your device or app to download the book, or choose to send it to your device via USB. An active Wi-Fi connection is required for wireless delivery to a Kindle device. (Be sure your Kindle's Wi-Fi is turned on!) If your Kindle is not Wi-Fi capable or you do not have an active Wi-Fi connection, read Amazon's instructions for transferring files via USB.

Here is a slideshow showing how to use our e-Books on a Kindle:

This presentation may be easier to read if viewed on SlideShare.

Here is a video describing the checkout process for Kindle users:



Returning Kindle e-Books Early

If you finish an e-Book before it is due, it is helpful to other Library patrons if you return the book early rather than waiting for it to expire. You can return Kindle books through Amazon's "Manage Your Kindle" interface:
  • Log in to the Manage Your Kindle page on Amazon.com.
  • You should see a list including all of the library books for Kindle that you have checked out.
  • Find the book you want to return in the list.
  • Click on the "Actions" menu for that book (on the right-hand side of the screen).
  • Click "Return this book;" confirm by clicking "Yes".


Mobile Devices

If you are using a mobile device such as an Android, Blackberry, NOOK HD, NOOK HD+, NOOK Tablet, NOOK Color, iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch, please use the free OverDrive Media Console app. Please search for the free OverDrive Media Console app where you normally get apps for your device (such as Google Play, Mobihand or AppWorld, Windows Phone Marketplace, or the App Store). Here is special information on installing the app on NOOK devices.

Here are printable handouts from our e-Book classes with step by step instructions on how to use library e-Books on Android devices and iOS (Apple) devices.

The following videos show how to download and use the iPad app; much of this information also applies to other mobile devices.

How to Install the OverDrive Media Console iPad App:



How to Download an eBook Using the OverDrive Media Console iPad App:



If you run into problems, here's an eBooks troubleshooting guide that may help.

Free e-Books!

Free public domain e-booksOverDrive also includes a collection of over 15,000 freely available public domain eBooks. These can be downloaded without signing into your account, there is no limit to how many you can download, and they do not expire! Please refer to the ‘tips’ link at the top of the introduction to the collection for instructions on how to download content.




What to do if your e-mail address has changed

If you have e-reserves and have changed your e-mail address, you will need to update the e-mail address associated with each of your e-reserves to be sure you receive notification when the books become available. Please follow these steps:

1. Log into your digital downloads account.
2. Click on 'My eReserve List'.
3. Click 'Edit' next to the title and update the email address.

Still having trouble?

We understand that Digital Downloads can sometimes be tricky. You can submit a request for help and we will try to resolve your problem as quickly as possible.