Own an e-reader or tablet? Borrow e-books, audiobooks from your library

You don’t need to be a bookworm to know e-book readers (e-readers for short) offer several advantages over their paper-based brethren: You can carry thousands of books on something thinner than most magazines, it’s possible to shop anywhere and anytime, you can adjust the font size and style to your liking, dictionary definitions are a tap away and many models are waterproof.

Plus, digital books are often cheaper than paper versions. For instance, Sally Field’s "In Pieces" costs about $3 less for the electronic version. Sometimes the difference in price is even greater: "Vince Flynn: Red War" by Kyle Mills – a new entrant to The New York Times Best Sellers list – costs about $7 for an e-book compared to $15 for a paper version.

But guess what. You can spend even less – nay, nothing – by simply borrowing books (and audiobooks) for free from your local library to read on your e-reader or tablet.

Here’s how to get going.

1. Get carded

The first step is to get a library card if you don’t already have one. Keep in mind not all cities are set up for electronic book lending yet. But if they aren’t now, they will soon. Some cities let you get a library card online, but others will require you to come in and do it like the old days.

But, as you’ll see below, that’s basically where the similarities end.

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2. Let’s get digital

The next step is to ensure you have an e-reader that supports borrowing from the library – a function that’s available on most Kobo and Kindle models today. You’ll also need to be on a wireless network to download the content. (Older e-readers may let you connect to a PC via a USB cable to drag and drop content over, but that’s quite cumbersome.)

Alternatively, you can also use one of many e-reader apps on a tablet (or smartphone or laptop) to borrow books for free. More on this in a moment.

3. Shift into OverDrive

If you’re on a Kobo, go to the Settings area and look for the section called OverDrive, which is a free service offered by many public libraries that allows you to browse, borrow and place holds on library books directly from your e-reader. Your Wi-Fi-enabled device will automatically search for nearby compatible libraries, but you’ll need to sign into OverDrive using your library card info, Facebook or an existing OverDrive account.

For Kindle e-readers or those who want to read on a tablet, use OverDrive’s sister app, Libby, or go to your library’s website (see step No. 4).

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4. Start browsing

On a Kobo that supports OverDrive, you can start searching or browsing for content immediately after you select a library, type in your library card and sign into Overdrive (per above). Tap an e-book to open its details page, then tap the three little dots to borrow it or place it on hold (if owned by your library). Borrowed e-books will appear in the Books section of your Kobo, just like purchased e-books.

For Kindle readers, there are a couple of ways to borrow library e-books. One is via the free Libby app – for iOS, Android and Windows phones and tablets – and Libby can send your library books to a Kindle if that’s the device you prefer to read on. Another option is to go directly to your library’s website and find the Downloads or E-Books and Audiobooks section. On the San Francisco Public Library website, for example, it’s called e-Library, and then click Kindle to peruse what the library has available.

Book selection varies between libraries, but you should find a good mix of new best-sellers and older classics. Libraries also offer audiobooks, which may be compatible on devices such as tablets rather than e-readers.

5. Download and enjoy

OK, so you found a book you want to borrow. What now, you ask? Because a digital file can be copied unlimited times, you might think it’s odd you still need to see if an e-book is available for borrowing, but that’s how the system works as libraries purchase a specific number of digital books.

The default borrow time is usually a week, but it may vary.

On the day it expires, it won’t be accessible on your e-reader, but at least you don’t have to go to your local library or face overdue fines. You could extend the loan period, too, if it’s not reserved by someone else.

Happy reading!

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Follow Marc on Twitter: @marc_saltzman. Email him at www.marcsaltzman.com