One of the features that sets Kobo ereaders apart from competing ereaders is the ability to download ebooks directly to Kobo devices from public libraries that support OverDrive.
All of Kobo’s recent models support this feature, but their older ones do not. All of Kobo’s ereaders support getting library ebooks through OverDrive, but only the newer models can download library books directly without having to use a computer and Adobe Digital Editions to transfer borrowed library ebooks to Kobo ereaders.
It’s a lot more convenient being able to download library books wirelessly, and you can also borrow library books from Kobo ereaders as well so you don’t have to use a separate device like with Kindles.
All you have to do is add your library account or OverDrive account to your Kobo and then you can browse and borrow library ebooks through the Kobo store.
All you need is a library card from a public library to start checking out ebooks. If you need a card, you can search for libraries that support OverDrive in your area from the OverDrive website.
One cool thing about Kobos is if you have more than one, your borrowed library ebooks will show up other Kobos registered to your account as well, even older models that don’t have OverDrive support built-in.
If you’re looking to get a Kobo ereader for the built-in OverDrive support, make sure it’s on the list below.
The built-in OverDrive feature is available on the following Kobo ereaders:
- Kobo Clara 2E
- Kobo Libra 2
- Kobo Sage
- Kobo Elipsa
- Kobo Nia
- Kobo Libra H2O
- Kobo Aura One
- Kobo Forma
- Kobo Clara HD
- Kobo Aura H2O (Edition 2)
- Kobo Aura (Edition 2)
OverDrive is supported by Kobo ereaders in the following countries only: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
Thanks for the list Nathan. So, can I ask what format one can read a borrowed library book in. Is it a PDF with all the notorious Kobo viewing problems, or does Adobe handle other e-book formats you can actually read? This remains a motive for getting a Kobo, I guess
Thanks for the list, Nathan. Do you happen to know what the reading experience is like for library items? Is it sub-standard unflowed PDF or does Adobe digital editions licence other more friendly e-book formats? This is one of the big selling points for the Kobo against the Kindle.
Library ebooks are in EPUB format, but it doesn’t really matter on Kobo devices because you can download them from the device itself, in which case they’re in Kobo’s proprietary KEPUB format. Kindles support library ebooks too, but only in the US.