Free E-books and Audiobooks with Your Ottawa Library Card (Libby App)

You don't need to buy e-books or pay for an audiobook subscription. With a free Ottawa Public Library card and a free app called Libby, you can borrow thousands of e-books, audiobooks and magazines on your phone, tablet or computer — without leaving home.

What you need

• An Ottawa Public Library card and its PIN. Cards are free for Ottawa residents — ask at any branch if you don't have one.
• An iPhone, iPad, Android phone or tablet, or a computer.
• About 10 minutes for setup.

Step 1: Install Libby

On an iPhone or iPad, open the App Store; on Android, open the Google Play Store. Search for "Libby, the library app" (by OverDrive) and install it. It's free and has no ads. On a computer, you can use it in your web browser at libbyapp.com.

Step 2: Add your library card

1. Open Libby and say Yes when it asks if you have a library card.
2. Choose Search for a library and type Ottawa. Tap Ottawa Public Library.
3. Enter your library card number and PIN. That's it — you're in.

Step 3: Borrow your first book

1. Tap the magnifying glass and search for an author or title.
2. If it says Borrow, tap it — the book is yours for the loan period.
3. If it says Place Hold, all copies are out. Tap it and Libby will tell you when it's your turn, just like a paper book.
4. Tap Shelf at the bottom to find your books, then Open Book or Open Audiobook.

Books return themselves automatically when the loan ends — there are no late fees.

Tips that make reading easier

• Bigger text: while reading, tap the middle of the page, then the A icon to change the text size and background. See also our guide to making text bigger on any device.
• Audiobooks: you can slow down or speed up the narrator, and set a sleep timer for bedtime listening.
• Download before you travel: books download to your device, so you can read on the plane or at the cottage without Wi-Fi.
• Kobo e-reader? Many Kobo models can borrow library books directly. Amazon Kindle library lending isn't available in Canada.

Free help at the library, too

The Ottawa Public Library regularly runs free drop-in sessions on Libby and e-books — check their events calendar. If you'd rather have someone set it up with you at home, on your own device, that's exactly what our iPad and iPhone lessons are for.