eBooks, Audiobooks & Online Resources

OverDrive: eBooks & Audiobooks

Your PEI Public Library card gives users 24/7 access to a wide variety of eBooks and eAudiobooks through the digital reading platform platform Overdrive.

How do I access Overdrive?

In order to use Overdrive, users will need the following:

• Their 14-digit library card number and their PIN. PIN stands for personal identification number. Users can reset their PIN by accessing their account on the library's online catalogue. If users forget their PIN, they will have to contact one our 25 public libraries in order to reset it. 
• Users can read or listen to titles through Overdrive by using a computer (via a web browser), or on a mobile device by downloading the Libby app.  Libby is available to download for free through Google Play for Android devices and the App Store for Apple devices
• Please note that Kindles (with the exception of the Kindle Fire) are not compatible with Overdrive/Libby due to Canadian licensing agreements.

How much can I borrow on Overdrive?

• Library cardholders can borrow up to 20 e-Books and/or e-Audiobooks at one time. 
• Library cardholders can have up to 25 requests/holds on e-Books and/or e-Audiobooks at one time. 

How do I download and use Overdrive/Libby?

There are a number of helpful resources that library cardholders can utilize if they have questions on how to use Overdrive or Libby. 

• Libby Help Videos - These videos cover a comprehensive number of topics relating to using the Libby app on mobile devices. These videos are only available in English.
• Device Instructions - This online resource provides step-by-step instructions on how to access Overdrive and/or Libby according to the specific device that users wish to use.
• Kobos and Overdrive - This online resource provides information and instructions on how to access Overdrive on all models of Kobo e-Readers.

Why is there not an unlimited selection and quantity of materials on Overdrive/Libby?

When using Overdrive/Libby, users may notice the following:

• There is not an unlimited number of copies for each title;
• In most situations, users can only access titles one user at a time (i.e. no simultaneous use); and
• There are long waitlists for most titles. 

The reason for the above situation is due to public libraries being subjected to different pricing and loaning models from publishers. Most publishers only permit public libraries to access one title at a time (one copy/one user lending model). Publishers also tend to lease public libraries access to titles for a specific number of checkouts or for a specific length of time (metered access lending model). These parameters mean that public libraries have to re-purchase a single title repeatedly in order to meet user demand. Public libraries also have to pay up to 3 times more for access to an electronic title compared to the cost an individual consumer would pay. All of these factors impact the quantity of digital content that public libraries can offer to the public. 

What is Overdrive's Skip the Line / Express Collection?

This collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks includes popular and bestselling titles. Titles are available on a first come, first serve basis. There are no holds and no renewals. Each patron can checkout a maximum of 2 express titles at a time. The lending period of express eBooks is 7 days and the lending period of express eAudiobooks is 14 days. 

 

French Audiobooks - Radio-Canada's Ohdio collection

Listen to a collection of 175 French audiobooks available immediately with no holds or waiting lists! Listen to titles on your computer through Radio Canada Ohdio's website, or; download the free Ohdio app available through Google Play for Android devices and the App Store for Apple device.

 

Saltwire

Saltwire provides access to a diverse range of local news articles, features, and multimedia content. Saltwire has 14 daily and weekly newspapers in Atlantic Canada, including PEI’s only daily newspaper The Guardian (Charlottetown), as well as The Journal-Pioneer (Summerside). 

How do I access Saltwire?

Free access to Saltwire.com is available at all library branches for in-library use on our public computers. 

 

Peicanada.com

Peicanada.com provides digital access to a number of local PEI newspaper publications. Through Peicanada.com, users can access electronic copies of the Island newspapers: The Eastern Graphic, The West Prince Graphic and Island Farmer.  

How do I access PeiCanada.com?

Free access to Peicanada.com is available at all library branches for in-library use on our public computers. 

 

CBC Corner: Discover the Best Canadian Shows, Stories & more

This one-of-a-kind digital portal allows you to access a wide variety of content including trusted news, local stories, entertaining TV and radio shows, award-winning podcasts, educational kids content, innovative podcasts, a free English and French language learning app, news in foreign languages and much more!