You have to use a computer or laptop with an internet browser to check out an eBook for your black & white Kindle. Even though the Kindle has a very basic browser, it will not work for this process. Once you check out the eBook from your computer, you have a couple options to transfer it. The preferred method is through your Wi-Fi wireless connection, although you may use a USB transfer if you don't have Wi-Fi at home. Some older kindles DO NOT have Wi-Fi and must use the USB cable to transfer.

• Library eBooks cannot be transfered with a 3G connection and must use Wi-Fi.
• Black & white Kindles are not compatible with Library Audiobooks.
• Black & white Kindles CANNOT use the "Free eBooks Always Available" collection on our Emedia website as they are EPUB format and not the Kindle format. Many of the classics in this collection however can be obtained for free from www.gutenberg.org .

Basics:
Kindle checkouts need NO additional software.

Regular Kindle users will need a computer or laptop (or in some cases, can do this from a tablet web browser) to do the checkout process, the checkout process cannot be done on a black & white Kindle itself.

To check out a Kindle eBook, start at our Emedia Website. SIGN IN with your library card and PIN number (the PIN is usually the last 4 digits of your phone number). The Sign In is located in the upper right hand corner of the site. If you have any difficulty signing in, please contact the library that issued the card for help. Once you're signed in, browse for an eBook that you'd like. Click the cover of the eBook to find out more information. Once you've found something you'd like, click Borrow, like in the picture below.

After clicking Borrow, you will then select the format you'd like. Obviously, you'll want the Kindle Book format.

Click Confirm and Download, as indicated in the picture below.

You are then directed to your Amazon account on a different webpage. On the right is a GET LIBRARY BOOK button; if you're logged into Amazon already, choose the correct Kindle to send the eBook to from the white drop down menu below that button.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you're Kindle is connected to a wireless WiFi network, then the book should be sent wirelessly to it. If you're Kindle is one of the earliest generations, it may not have Wi-Fi capabilities and you'll need to transfer the title with a USB connection. Otherwise, the eBook should make it's way on to your device and you can begin reading it!

USB Transfers for USB ONLY ebooks and non-WiFi users...

Some titles are USB ONLY depending on the publisher, indicated on the OverDrive listing of the ebook, as shown in the picture below. You also might not have access to WiFi and choose to do a USB transfer.

To transfer, connect your Kindle via the USB cable to a port on your computer and make sure the computer recognizes the Kindle. Check out a Kindle title through the normal process and at the end of the checkout process, go through the traditional Amazon checkout steps (presented above) until you are presented with a Download button. Click this.

You'll be asked where you want to save the file. Please choose to save the file right onto your Kindle, where there should be a Documents folder that has all of the Kindle ebooks (This is similar to plugging in your typical small USB flash drive). Once the ebook file you downloaded is saved into this Documents folder, safely eject the Kindle and your ebook should be on the Home screen.

OverDrive AUDIOBOOKS are not compatible with black & white Kindle devices.

 

Required Software:
None, just a browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.) on a computer, laptop, or tablet.
 
 

Early Returns: (titles do not have to be returned, as they return by themselves, only if you want to return them early)

1.  Open a web browser to log in to your Amazon account (amazon.com).
2.  In the upper right hand corner, if you're logged, it will say "Hello, _____, Your Account". Hover your mouse cursor on this or tap, and choose  “Manage Your Kindle”.

3.  A list of your Kindle Library should display with all your Kindle ebooks. Hover your cursor over the Actions button next to the ebook that you want to return and it will display several options; including one to Return a library book.

4.  Select 'Return library book'.
5.  Your Amazon account and Emedia Library account will then be updated.