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Overdrive is making it possible for us to enjoy books for free on our iPads as well as our iPhones. That is because Overdrive provides us with free software that is also used by hundreds of libraries around the world, and allows us to borrow books and enjoy on our mobile devices.
Now lots of libraries offer the service and while only some books are available in this format, many libraries now have hundreds of books that can be “read” on our iPhones. A quick check at overdrive will tell you whether there is a library near you that offers this service. And remember, its free! Potentially hundreds of books can be enjoyed this way!For example, I am a Vince Flynn fan – and 5 of his books have been published in the MP3 format, including “Extreme Measures” which I am currently reading (again) in anticipation of his latest release, American Assassin. Overdrive shows that this title is available at dozens of libraries around the US. When I click the link to the South Jersey Regional Library, for example, there it is!
So long as we are (or become) a member of the library, we can borrow this book for free – and enjoy it on our iPhone. For details of how to get the software, just visit the overdrive site. You can also download the free Overdrive Media Console App, which provides access to over 10,000 libraries world wide. Apart from the freeness, and the extraordinary ease of access, these audiobooks automatically expire when the borrowing time is up – so no late fees!!
A final note – at this stage music and videos cannot be borrowed this way from libraries (and very few mobile devices are able to do this) but:
“Apple Devices – Special Considerations
(many) OverDrive WMA Music titles can be transferred to Apple devices on a title-by-title basis (where permitted by the publisher or record label) using the Transfer Wizard in OverDrive Media Console v3.2.0.5 (or newer) for Windows®.”
Its not difficult to borrow books this way and every library provides guidance to help get us setup. Check it out!