eBook and Audio Books
The Red Oak Public Library offers multiple ways to read and enjoy books online. Please review the options below and call us at
712-623-6516 with any questions!
Libby/Bridges/Overdrive
What is Libby/Bridges/Overdrive?
Overdrive is a distributor of ebooks and audiobooks.
Bridges is the Iowa Consortium of Libraries program that buys books from Overdrive to make them available to libraries across Iowa that pay a fee to participate in the program. It is run by the State Library of Iowa
Libby is the app used to access all of the content purchased by Bridges!
Basically - Libby, Bridges, and Overdrive are all the same thing!
How to Access eBooks and audiobooks on Libby/Bridges
1. Click the Bridges or Libby icon above to go to their website.
2. Go to the sign in area and type or select Red Oak Public Library then click the "sign in button" and enter your library barcode number from your library card or receipt to login. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you change the last character of your barcode to a 0 (zero) each time you log in. (Example barcode number 2ROPL00011111m would become 2ROPL000111110 ) If you aren’t sure of your barcode number, feel free to call the library at 712-623-6516 and we can give you your number.
3. Once you are signed in, click "my account" and you will be able to view your loans, holds, wish list, and history.
To find a certain title or author, you can use the search box, or you can browse categories if you aren’t sure of what you want. Once you have found a title you want, click "borrow". A box will appear and then you click "borrow" again. The next box will say "success" then you choose the format you want (Kindle, EPub, or Read In Your Browser for e-books or MP3 for audiobooks).
Libby/Bridges allows you to have 5 titles checked out at a time and you can place a hold up to 10 titles.
The loan period is either 7 or 14 days. Some renewals are allowed if there are no holds on the title. You can renew under the title in your account.
If you finish your checkout early you can return it through your account, otherwise it will disappear after the loan period. If a title you want is already checked out, you have the option to add it to a wait list by providing your email address, then you will be notified when it is available for you.
Hoopla is made possible by a memorial gift given in memory of Phyllis Boose by her family.
Hoopla
What is Hoopla?
Hoopla is another online service that allows patrons to borrow ebooks, audiobooks, music, movies, and more.
It is different from Libby/Bridges, because it offers more types of content. Additionally, if a title is on Hoopla, you do not need to wait on a waitlist if someone else has it.
How to use Hoopla
- Click the Hoopla Logo to go to their website.
- Go to the sign in area and select Red Oak Public Library
- Use your library card number to log in (Call us at 712-623-6516 if you don't know your number)
- Do NOT change the last character to a 0 like you do for Libby - Use the number exactly as it is.
Our Hoopla service limits patrons to the use of 6 items per month.
Hoopla will block patrons who have unpaid fines or items that have not been returned.