OverDrive
We have thousands of e-books and audiobooks you can borrow for three weeks and download to most devices for free with your Library card. You can access our e-books and audiobooks from anywhere.
About OverDrive
E-books and E-audiobooks
- Log in with your Library card, then create an OverDrive account to borrow e-books and audiobooks
- Download the Libby app for iOS, Android and Windows to borrow, read and listen to digital books
- You can also read or listen to books on eReaders (including Kindle and Kobo), most desktop or laptop computers, and other devices
- Borrow books for 21 days
- Checkouts expire automatically
Libby App
Download OverDrive's Libby app for iOS or Android to check out e-books and e-audiobooks and sync your reading across multiple devices. With Libby, you can also download e-books for offline access, play e-audiobooks from your device in your car, and send books to your Kindle.
Instant Digital Library Card
Want access to e-books but don’t have a Library card? No problem: You can now sign up instantly to receive access to e-books and e-audiobooks through OverDrive.
To sign up for this service, you have to be 13 years of age or older, live in Seattle, and have access to a mobile phone number in order to verify your account.
If you have previously completed our online Library card application but haven’t yet received it due to our systemwide closure, you can also sign up for OverDrive’s instant access to e-book titles.
Please note: At this time, this instant Digital Library card provides access to our OverDrive e-collections. We are currently exploring options for offering more of our digital resources to digital Library cardholders, and we will update this page as those resources become available.
Explore OverDrive's Collections
Tips for E-Books
How do I return items early so others can use them?
E-books are returned automatically after 21 days. If you are done with an e-book or audiobook, you may return it earlier.
- Visit spl.overdrive.com, and log in with your library card number & PIN.
- Once logged in, on the top right-hand-side of the page, go to My Account, and select Loans from the drop down menu.
- Find the material you wish to return, and at the bottom of the item’s detail there will be a Return option.
Note: You can also manage returns through the Libby or OverDrive app.
How do I renew items?
E-books are returned automatically after 21 days. If you need more time to finish an e-book or audiobook, you may renew your checkout if no one else is waiting.
- Visit spl.overdrive.com, and log in with your library card number & PIN.
- Once logged in, on the top right-hand-side of the page, go to My Account, and select Loans from the drop down menu.
- Find the material you wish to renew, and at the bottom of the item’s detail there will be either be a Renew option, or if the material has holds on it, a Request Again option.
Note: These options will appear within three days of the item’s current expiration date. You can also renew items through the Libby or OverDrive app.
How do I suspend my holds?
Not ready to read an e-book about to become available?
- Visit spl.overdrive.com, and log in with your library card number & PIN.
- Once logged in, on the top right-hand-side of the page, go to My Account, and select Holds from the drop down menu.
- Find the hold you wish to suspend, and at the bottom of the item’s detail there will be a Suspend Hold option.
- Once you select Suspend Hold, a drop down menu will give you options for how many days you would like to suspend your hold, and then select Suspend.
Note: You can also suspend holds through the Libby or OverDrive app
Can I try a sample of an e-book before borrowing it?
Yes. Click the three dots next to the title to open a detail page and browse a sample.
How can I find an e-book to start reading now?
We offer a selection of always-available titles that can be accessed by unlimited users at the same time. You can also browse OverDrive’s lists of titles available now:
If you have a question or need help, get help from OverDrive, Ask Us or call 206-386-4636.