You’ve found book that intrigues you, from the book reviews in the menu bar, and you want it, right now. Naturally, you could buy it from the usual sources, or track it down from your favorite used book sellers, but what if it could magically just appear on your phone or tablet, right now? With Overdrive, it can. All you need is a library card, or a few, and to download the app, which you may find here, or your preferred app store. Note: like your regular library, the book you’d like with either be available, or you may have to place a hold.
I like to preview a book on Overdrive, and if it’s a keeper, buy it for my library. Some of these books are so densely packed, they require multiple re-reads. I often find that if I’m stuck, just re-reading any of these books, puts me back on track.
You can use multiple library cards with Overdrive. I have 3, my local library, and, as a New York State resident I’m eligible for both New York Public Library and Brooklyn Library cards. Brooklyn has one of the largest e-book collections around.
Your state may be similar. I belive anyone in Massachusetts can get a Boston Library card, and Boston is the largest library system in the US.
You can purchase yearly access from a few US libraries, such as the Free Library of Philadelphia, or Fairfax County, Virginia. Look here or here for additional information.
If your library is not affiliated with Overdrive, ask if they have access to Libby, a similar app.
Another great Library card perk is.. magazines! I use Flipster, to flip through The Writer or perhaps Writer’s Digest or Poet’s and Writers.
