Common Questions About Our eBook and Related Services
Overdrive
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The OverDrive app was discontinued on May 1, 2023. This was our vendor OverDrive's decision, not the Boston Public Library's decision.
We encourage you to make the switch to OverDrive's Libby app, opens a new window.
Here is OverDrive's Libby Help guide for OverDrive app users, opens a new window.
Access to our OverDrive site, opens a new window will remain available.
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You can borrow up to ten titles from OverDrive at a single time. These do not count toward the limit of seventy-five physical loans at a time on your library card.
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OverDrive lends eBooks and audiobooks for up to fourteen days. If you prefer, you can select shorter loan periods for each format individually in your account.
In some cases, the loan period is set by the publisher and will vary from the above. When this happens, the loan period will be displayed at checkout.
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Yes, so long as no one else has a hold and is waiting for them. Renewing is only possible in the OverDrive platform or the Libby app and will not work from your main BPL account page. You can also borrow the title again after it expires.
Some OverDrive materials can be renewed up to three days before expiration. Check the loan for details.
OverDrive materials that cannot be renewed can be borrowed again after your loan expires, so long as there are no other users waiting with an active hold.
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You can have up to ten titles on hold in OverDrive.
Hoopla
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Yes, so long as you have a physical BPL card or an eCard.
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Hoopla can be used in a web browser at hoopladigital.com or with its app on iOS, Android, and Amazon devices. You will need your library card number and an email address to get started.
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You can check out ten items from Hoopla per calendar month.
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You can borrow movies and TV shows for seventy-two hours. Music albums are loaned for seven days. eBooks and comics expire after twenty-one days.
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