When your pocket can’t keep up with your huge appetite for books, you should probably look for new ways to get titles without spending. In that case, why not borrow ebooks instead?

If you don’t have a clue how to borrow ebooks, you may be in luck! Today, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about borrowing electronic books for free right after the jump.

Borrow ebooks from Windows or Mac

Borrow ebooks from your local library and read them on your Windows or Mac. Before you do so, however, you’ll need to download Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) on your computer.

  1. Install the free Adobe Digital Editions
  2. Open OverDrive on a Web browser. Sign up for a new account to begin borrowing an ebook.
  3. Search for the public library in your locale. That way, you may be issued a library card that’s necessary for borrowing ebooks. This is the same process as borrowing a paperback in an actual library.
  4. After you successfully borrow an ebook, it will appear on your Bookshelf, which is under the Account section on your local library’s OverDrive page.
  5. Use the download drop-down menu on the Bookshelf to select the format of which you’ll read the ebook. Select “Confirm” and then “Download”.
  6. When you’re prompted to authorize your computer, do so with a free Adobe ID. When you don’t have one, you’ll simply be shown a link where you can create one.

In most cases, the downloaded ebooks can be opened and read through Adobe Digital Editions. You may also use the program to transfer an ebook to your e-reader.

To transfer, go to Digital Editions’ Library View first by clicking on the Library button in the upper left corner. When you get there, drag and drop the ebook of your choice to your electronic reader. The e-reader will appear on the left, right under Devices. After the transfer, you can read the book on your device just like any other electronic book.

Borrow ebooks from your tablet, smartphone, or e-Reader

Again, we’ll turn to OverDrive to get this one done. It’s simply easier borrowing books with this free digital service.

  1. Install the free OverDrive mobile app from the right app store for your device.
  2. Sign-up for a free OverDrive account.
  3. Select “Sign-up Using a Library Card” under “Find Your Library”. From there, search the nearest public library in your area.
  4. In Collection, you can see available titles. Tap one that you like and select the “Borrow” option.
  5. The ebook you borrow will appear on your Bookshelf under your account on the library’s OverDrive page. From here, you can download the electronic book or audiobook to the OverDrive app. That, or read them in your browser so there won’t be a need to download!

You may have noticed that we’ve been recommending the use of OverDrive. That’s because it’s a simple database you can use to search for public libraries that lend ebooks in your area. But, of course, there are other apps and websites where you can borrow ebooks. Here are some you should check out:

Top 3 apps/websites to borrow ebooks from

Open Library

The organization’s goal is to create a webpage for every book ever published and they’re doing an amazing job! What’s great about this open library catalog is that anyone can borrow ebooks as long as they register. You can borrow an ebook for 2 weeks, which can be read in PDF or ePub formats. You may also read them straight in your browser. To download and read ebooks from Open Library on your Android or iOS devices, here’s a detailed guide.

Prime Reading

When you’re an Amazon Prime member in the US, the best way to read ebooks is the Prime Reading service. The service gives you access to a rotating library of over a thousands books for free. Books aren’t the only stuff you can read through Amazon’s newest perk, though. You also get to read a changing selection of comics and magazines like People, National Geographic, and Sports Illustrated. And if you don’t have a Kindle, don’t worry. You can still read ebooks on any iOS and Android devices using the free Kindle app.

SimplyE

Are you a resident of New York? In that case, the New York Public Library’s newest app may be your best option to borrow ebooks with ease. With SimplyE app, you can browse, borrow, and read around 300,000 e-books on your Android smartphone or iPhone/iPad. You’ll need a New York Public Library card to use SimplyE, though. You can either apply for it in person, renew at an NYPL location near you, or apply by mail.

You need not fork over a hefty sum to feed your BIG reading appetite. Because there are, indeed, quite a few options available to you when you want to borrow ebooks.