Botetourt County Libraries facilities may not be open, but that doesn’t mean you have to go without books to read. Even if you’re a print book fan, be adventurous and try e-books!
To get free e-books, download the Libby app, available for free on Android and iOS devices (like smartphones and tablets). Sign up is quick and easy. You will be prompted to create an Overdrive account, choose a library (just type in the name of the branch you use most often), and log in using your library card number. Browse thousands of e-books and e-audiobooks from all genres and for all ages, including mystery, fantasy, nonfiction, and graphic novels.
Open digital titles from your bookshelf on the Libby app, or Kindle format, which you can read on your Kindle app or e-reader. You can check out up to six items at a time, and choose whether you’d like to borrow them for one week or two. Items will automatically be returned on their due date; no late fees! You can return any items that you have finished reading before their due date in order to free up space on your bookshelf so you can check out more. You can’t renew items, but you can check a book out again if there are no holds on it.
Like physical materials you check out from the library, there are a limited number of copies of each electronic material. Normally, each copy can only be checked out by one person at a time. If an item that you would like to borrow is currently checked out, you can place a hold on that item. You will be notified by email when that item is available for checkout, at which point you can go to your account on the Libby app and borrow it.
However, due to current circumstances relating to COVID-19, titles purchased prior to March 1 are now available for simultaneous checkout through April 30. This means there’s currently no wait for some of the e-book titles you’re anxious to read!
No internet? You can access 24/7 wi-fi from the parking lot of any branch of the Botetourt County Libraries. E-books that you check out can be downloaded to your device for convenient offline access.
Not sure how to start with e-books, or stuck in the e-book process? Our librarians are still available to help! Send a private message on social media or email bocolibraries@botetourtva.gov. Until we can see you at the library again, we look forward to interacting with you from a distance. We’re just a click away! For updates and information from our Libraries, go to www.bocolibraries.info or check our Facebook page. Stay in touch, we’re still here for you!
-Audrey Clark
Fincastle Library
