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Public Library Books for Kindle

More than 11,000 libraries in the United States offer Public Library Books for Kindle to read on any generation Kindle device, free Kindle app, or in your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader. Public Library Books for Kindle provide the same unique features as Kindle and Kindle books, including Whispersync technology that synchronizes your notes, highlights and last page read, real page numbers, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Finding Public Library Books for Kindle

Public library books for Kindle are available at libraries in the United States that offer digital services from OverDrive. Visit the OverDrive website at http://search.overdrive.com/ to confirm whether your library is eligible.

Note: If you don't already have a library card and a PIN from your local library, contact them to sign up for a library card and make note of your PIN. You'll need a library card for the branch from which you want to check out Public Library Books for Kindle.

Check Out a Public Library Book for Kindle

You can borrow Kindle books from your local library's website and have them delivered to your Kindle device or free reading app.

Instructions:

Confirm that your local U.S. library offers Public Library Books (eBooks) for Kindle with OverDrive. Visit the OverDrive website: http://search.overdrive.com/ and select "Library Search." Enter your city name or postal code and select your local library.
Search for and check out your Kindle book selections. When prompted, log in with your library card ID (and PIN, if required). If you need to request a hold on a title, use your personal e-mail address to make the hold, not your Kindle's address ([name]@kindle.com).
Once you've checked out your title, choose Get for Kindle. You'll be redirected to Amazon.com's Public Library Loan page for that title. (You may be required to log in to your Amazon.com account -- or create a new account -- if you're not already logged in). Choose your device from the Deliver to menu, and choose Get library book to send the book to your reading app or device.

Restrictions:

Public library books require an active Wi-Fi connection for wireless delivery to a Kindle device. Library books will not be delivered via your Kindle's 3G connection. Note that Kindle 1st Generation, Kindle 2nd Generation, and Kindle DX only have 3G connection capabilities. However, if you're unable to connect your Kindle device via Wi-Fi, you may instead load your library book to your Kindle device via USB. Learn how to transfer content to your Kindle via USB.
Due to publisher restrictions, some titles may not be wirelessly delivered to your device and instead require USB transfer from your computer to your device. These restricted titles also may not be accessed on Kindle reading applications.
Availability of books and length of loan will vary by library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is this book not available for Kindle from my local library?

Availability of books and length of loan will vary by library.

Will I be notified before my public library book loan expires?

Yes. Three days before the end of the loan period, we will send a courtesy reminder e-mail about the loan expiration. Once the loan period has ended, an additional e-mail notification will be sent. Availability of books and length of loan are determined by your local library.

How do I view the status of my loan?

You can view the status of a public library book for Kindle from the Manage Your Kindle page. Click on the "+" symbol next to any title to view more details about any book that you've borrowed including the expiration date.

You can also access all of the materials that you currently have checked out on your library's OverDrive-powered website. Within your library's digital site, look for links to My Account, My Bookshelf, or something similar.

What happens to my notes and highlights after a loan expires?

You can always access their notes and highlights through kindle.amazon.com, even after a book expires. And if you check a book out again, or purchase it from Amazon.com all of your notes and highlights will appear in the book as before the loan expired.

Are public library books for Kindle available internationally?

At this time, public library books for Kindle are only available at U.S. libraries.

In what format are public library books for Kindle available?

Public library books for Kindle are available in the .azw Kindle Edition format only.

What Kindle devices can I read public library books on?

You can read borrowed Kindle books on any generation Kindle device or all free Kindle apps, as well as in your web browser with Kindle Cloud Reader. Public library books require an active Wi-Fi connection for wireless delivery to a Kindle device. Library books will not be delivered via your Kindle's 3G connection. Note that Kindle 1st Generation, Kindle 2nd Generation, and Kindle DX only have 3G connection capabilities. However, if you're unable to connect your Kindle device via Wi-Fi, you may instead load your library book to your Kindle device via USB. Learn how to transfer content to your Kindle via USB.

Due to publisher restrictions, some titles may not be wirelessly delivered to your device and instead require USB transfer from your computer to your device. These restricted titles also may not be accessed on Kindle reading applications.

How do I send library books to my Kindle device or reading app?

Once a public library book has been redeemed, you can send it to any registered Kindle device or reading app from the Manage Your Kindle page. Public library books require an active Wi-Fi connection for wireless delivery to a Kindle device. Library books will not be delivered via your Kindle's 3G connection. Note that Kindle 1st Generation, Kindle 2nd Generation, and Kindle DX only have 3G connection capabilities. However, if you're unable to connect your Kindle device via Wi-Fi, you may instead load your library book to your Kindle device via USB. Learn how to transfer content to your Kindle via USB.

Due to publisher restrictions, some titles may not be wirelessly delivered to your device and instead require USB transfer from your computer to your device. These restricted titles also may not be accessed on Kindle reading applications.