Reading eBooks on Kobos

Borrow library eBooks directly on Kobos over a Wi-Fi connection

This guide is for newer Kobos like the Libra, Forma, Aura ONE, Aura Edition 2, and Clara HD.

NOTE: Some library eBooks on not syncing to Kobo eReaders

If eBooks borrowed from ORL’s OverDrive collection or ORL Catalogue are not syncing to the Kobo, the issue may be caused by how the eReader does not see the borrowed book as an exact match to the file that will be fulfilled by the Kobo Store.

To sync successfully, eBooks from the ORL’s OverDrive collection and the Kobo store need to match on:

  • Cover image
  • ISBN
  • Publisher
  • Release date

If there are differences between the library copy and the Kobo Store copy, the eBook will not sync.

What to do if the book does not sync

Read the book on your browser. Find the Read in Browser option on the Checked Out page of your catalogue account, or the Loans page on the ORL's OverDrive site. 

If you have an iPhone, iPad, or Android device, download and read the book on the Libby App.

Watch a Tutorial or follow the steps below:

Step 1: Set up your Kobo eReader for library borrowing

From the Home screen of the eReader, tap the ≡ More icon.

  • Tap on Settings
  • On "Settings" screen, tap OverDrive.
  • Tap Get started.
  • Select Sign in to OverDrive. You will be taken to the “Find a public library” screen. In the search box, type in Okanagan Regional Library and tap Go. Tap on any library branch.
  • On the “Sign in with your library card” screen, expand the menu for the “Select your Library from the List Below” field and choose Okanagan Regional Library from the dropdown, this opens the Card Number and PIN fields.
    • Do NOT choose the Sign in with OverDrive option on this screen, you will not be able to access the library's collection.
  • Enter your card number (no spaces) and PIN, then tap Sign in.

You'll see an “You’re All set to start borrowing” screen. Select Browse to start exploring the library’s collection or select Search to find a specific title.

 

Step 2: Find library books on your Kobo

Limit your search to library titles

You can filter the Kobo Store so that you see only eBooks you can borrow from the ORL's OverDrive collection

  • Tap the magnifying glass icon to search.
  • Tap the arrow to expand the drop-down menu.
  • Tap OverDrive.
  • Complete a search for title, author, or series.
  • You will see a list of only eBooks that are offered in the ORL's OverDrive collection.

Not seeing a library eBook in your Kobo search?

There may be some eBooks available from the ORL's OverDrive collection that may not be available to be downloaded directly on the Kobo because they are not available in the Kobo Store, www.kobo.com. Such books can be borrowed from the ORL's OverDrive collection and read on your browser.

 

Step 3: Borrow or place holds on books

When you find a book you want to borrow, tap its cover image to open its information page.

Tap the … more icon, then tap Borrow if the eBook is available. If an eBook is on loan, tap on the Place a hold option found next to the title. Tap Yes to confirm your hold. One the confirmation screen, tap the back arrow at the top left corner of the screen to return to your search, or select from the options presented.

On the You’ve Checked out an item! screen, you can tap on the back arrow or Shop Kobo to return to search results, or tap Go to Books to start reading.

Borrowed eBooks will appear in the My Books section on your Kobo.

 

Borrow held books

When a hold is available for you, you'll get a notification on your Kobo and have three days to borrow it. To borrow the title:

  • Tap the menu in the upper-left corner.
  • Go to Kobo Store, then select OverDrive.
  • Tap Your holds.
  • Select Borrow next to the title.

Once you borrow a hold, you can find it under My Books.

Enjoy reading your eBook!

 

Step 4: Renew your eBook

From the Home screen of the Kobo…

  • Tap My Books.
  • Long tap on the eBook to open the book actions menu, tap Request Again.

This will let you borrow the eBook again immediately after its lending period expires (if there are no existing holds), or place you on the eBook’s wait list (if there are existing holds).

 

Step 5: Return your eBook early

eBooks are returned automatically at the end of their loan period, you can also return them before they are due! Here’s how:

From the Home screen of the Kobo…

  • Tap My Books.
  • Long tap on the title to open the book actions menu, tap Return. In the Return early? confirmation window, tap Return to remove the eBook from your library account.

A listing for a sample of the eBook as Kobo Preview may remain on Books list after returning the title.  Long tap on the title, and tap Remove, then Remove from My Books. 

Exception: Books in Open EPUB cannot be returned early.

Need Further Help?

Get in touch with the ORL...

Call us at 1-844-649-8127.

Email help@orl.bc.ca, in your email, please include:

  • any error message you’ve received
  • your ORL library card number
  • the title(s) of the book(s) you are attempting to download
  • the type of media player or eReading device you are using
  • your computer’s operating system
  • indicate you are using the ORL eBooks collection 

Note: If your ORL card has expired you'll be unable to borrow from this collection. To renew an expired card, call your library branch. 

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