Shift to Overdrive!

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A library card-carrying book nerd, my go-to is the OverDrive app. I’ve downloaded it on my vintage Kindle, iPad and iPhone. So, I’m never without a book. If I can go digital, so can you!

How to Download Overdrive and Access Books, Magazines and Movies

First, get your library card. Once you have it in hand, along with your pin, download the Overdrive app on your preferred devices. The app will step you through the easy process of registering as a library patron.

You’ll select your library from a menu. This will connect you through Scottsdale’s Public Library to the Greater Phoenix Digital Library. Once you’re in the digital library door, get ready to read, listen or watch.

At current count, you can browse a whopping 171,995 titles! Endless choices of media are available to download or stream. Choose from ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and videos. Ooh, I’m streaming ‘Yoga for Your Eyes’ next.

So Many Choices – How to Find What You Like

It’s great fun to randomly look at all the choices. It’s like being a kid in a candy store! But eventually, you’ll want to use Overdrives’ filtering tools to find exactly what interests you.

It’s really easy to select criteria for your perfect read or listen. I like to go to the Advanced Search and start picking from each category.

You can search by title, author, subject, availability, audience, date added, formats, reading level, languages, etc. Currently, you can check out 10 items total at once. Ebooks can be checked out for 2 weeks and audiobooks for 3 weeks. Read magazines for 7 or 14 days. Stream videos for 3 days.

Place books on hold that aren’t currently available and/or create a wish list.  You’ll get an email when your book is available to download and giddyup when it’s ready, or delay it if your not.

There’s also a history log so you can see all the books you’ve read, to feel smug or remember a book you have already read!

My Personal Overdrive Tips

Now you too can check out and return books from the comfort of your own bed! Here’s what I like best about Overdrive.

I read e-books before sleep and when it’s time to rest my eyes, but I’m not quite ready to nod off, I switch to a snoozer audiobook. 

With Overdrive’s and my device’s tools, I can increase the font size, brightness and blue light for e-books. I can tinker with the speed and set a timer for audiobooks. I use earphones when I’m traveling or have an overnight guest.

Audiobooks are a must for car trips! ‘Gone Girl,’ the ‘Twilight’ series and Walter Mosley’s novels are some of my faves. Enjoy guilty pleasures with no boredom, alone or with friends. ‘On the Road’ or how about ‘Another Roadside Attraction?’

Here’s my whole enchilada about Scottsdale’s libraries – Enjoy!