Step-by-Step Guide for OverDrive
How To: Borrow NLB eBooks using the Libby App
The OverDrive app was discontinued in 2023. Users are strongly encouraged to upgrade to the Libby app.
How do I set up Libby?
Step 1
Download the Libby app on App store or Google Play store.
Step 2
Select 'Yes, I Have A Library Card' if you have myLibrary username > Tap on 'I'll Search For A Library'.
If you do not have myLibrary username, tap on 'Not Yet' to create one. Alternatively, click here to create one now.
Step 3
Tab "Search For A Library", then type 'NLB' > Select 'NLB' once it appears.
Step 4
Tap "Sign In With My Card" and Enter Library Account Details with myLibrary username login > Select 'Next' to visit NLB's digital collection.
Note: The library card is automatically saved and users will only need to sign in once.
How do I borrow an eBook/Audiobook on Libby?
1. If you are seeking a specific title, click on the search icon at the bottom of the screen.
2. Enter the title of the desired digital book/audiobook under "Library".
3. Tap on your title and select either 'Borrow' or 'Place Hold'.
How do I add more than one library card to my Libby app?
1. Tap on the centre three lines icon at the bottom of the screen.
2. Click on 'Manage Cards' then 'Add Card'.
3. To add another card, simply enter a different myLibrary username.
How do I access all the eBooks / Audiobooks I have borrowed?
1. Select 'Shelf' at the bottom right of the screen to access books that you have borrowed.
2. Besides loans, you may also access all reservations and tags placed on titles.
3. To quickly continue reading, simply click on the book title at the bottom of your screen.
How do I return a title early?
1. To return a title earlier, simply select 'Shelf' at the bottom right of the screen.
2. Select 'Loans'
3. Select 'Manage Loan' and 'Return Early'.
How do I set up Libby on multiple devices?
1. Tap on the centre three lines icon at the bottom of the screen (on your first device)
2. Scroll down to "Your Information"
3. Select "Copy To Another Device"
4. Enter the eight-digit set-up code displayed on your second device to your first device.
Note:
Libby allows to sync multiple library accounts and multiple devices. There is no limit of devices for Libby.
How do I find out the amount of time I have left on the waitlist for an eBook / Audiobook that I reserved?
1. Select the books icon at the bottom right of the screen which will bring you to 'Shelf'.
2. Select 'Holds'
3. To view the waitlist information for each reserved title, tab the library card with a small clock icon.
How do I make adjustments to my reading or audio settings?
For eBooks
1. Click the chosen title and tap on the centre of the page to bring up reading settings.
2. Click on 'A' icon to readjust text scale, background or font style.
3. For text size, adjust the text scale to your desired size.
4. Select bright, sepia or dark background for your reading text.
For Audiobooks
1. Click the chosen title.
2. Tap on the speedometer icon at the top of the screen to adjust your play speed.
3. Set up a sleep timer to pause playback if you would like to time your audiobook.
4. To fast forward, simply swipe left and drag on your listening page.
How do I set up Content Controls?
Libby’s Content Controls lets users customise their browsing experience by filtering content based on audience categories.
Users can choose to block mature content, ensuring access to age-appropriate books, audiobooks, and magazines from the library collection.
Content Controls can be found in the Settings section of the Menu.
To access, first add a library card to Libby.
Content Controls are preset and represented by 3 emojis, which can be adjusted for each library card holder.
Libby for Everyone: works just like Libby does today, with no restrictions by audience except those users manually choose to apply. This is the default setting.
Libby for Kids: shows only titles for “juvenile” and “young adult” audiences when searching and browsing. Users can apply deep-search, sample, and circulation restrictions to young adult titles if they wish.
Libby for Grown-Ups: is for people who borrow “general content” and “mature content” titles only. It prevents kids' titles from appearing at their libraries in Libby. Users who enjoy young adult titles can re-enable that content using a toggle within the preset.
Can I block mature content?
Yes, you can!
Libby for Kids automatically blocks mature content and only shows titles for “juvenile” and “young adult” audiences.
Libby for Everyone
Users have the option to block mature content and can also make decisions about how Libby displays “mature content” available at their libraries: whether to allow deep search results, samples, loans, and whether cover images are visible.
Can I lock my Content Controls?
Yes, you can use a passkey to lock Libby's Content Controls so only you can change them.
This locks Libby's Content Controls on the device you're currently using.
Please note that if you use Libby on multiple devices, you'll need to set up content controls on each one. Content controls don't sync between devices.
Help
If you need further assistance, please contact our helpdesk.
- Email: enquiry@nlb.gov.sg