Read an eBook
An ebook is a digital book that you can carry with you on devices and access on a computer. New, bestselling, and even out-of-print works of all genres can be viewed easily and may also contain special features such as audio, video, or hyperlinks.
Benefits of eBooks
Nothing beats the convenience and instant gratification! eBooks can be borrowed and downloaded immediately, allowing library users to start reading right away without leaving home!
Portability: quite simply, your mobile device can hold many books! Nearly the whole library can come with you on your travels! Plus, you won’t forget to return it to your title!
Comfort Customization: eBooks can be adjusted to change font sizes, background colors, and lighting (such as when reading in the dark). Digital formats enable features such as text-to-speech, which can be helpful for readers with disabilities.
Searchability & Tools: Users can instantly search for specific words or phrases, highlight text, and use built-in dictionaries to look up words.
eBooks
Have you ever wanted to try reading an eBook but been unsure about where to start? Or maybe you’re paying for Kindle books and never knew you could be borrowing books for free from your library? eBooks are convenient to carry with you wherever you go and can be accessed from your own home 24/7. This simple tech allows you to customize your reading experience with the font size and appearance. We would love to help you start reading ebooks (or audiobooks).
Contact our reference department at 610-398-1361×106, email info@parklandlibrary.org, or stop by the reference desk for more help!
What do you need?
Your library card and your PIN (typically the last four digits of your phone number), and smartphone, tablet, or computer.
We have two main subscriptions for eBooks and audiobooks- both can be downloaded as an app, or used in a browser on your computer.
Libby, by Overdrive:
Read with Libby. Have you tried digital media?
Borrow eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, and more from your local library for free! Libby is the newer library reading app by OverDrive, loved by millions of readers worldwide! Check out Libby’s “most popular titles” and start adding them to your hold list! Libby has content for all ages – including kids, teens, and adults. Teens have more access to young adult fiction!
- Like a traditional library, each copy of an ebook goes to one user at a time. So, just like at the physical library, you can place items on hold.
- Audiobooks and ebooks
- Magazines, and fillable legal forms.
Libby App Features
OverDrive states that Libby provides a better experience. Here are some Libby features not available in the original OverDrive app:
- Sonos speaker integration.
- Easier onboarding for new users.
- A unified bookshelf for all loans and holds.
- Support for multiple library cards.
- Direct user support from OverDrive.
- A best-in-class eBook reader.
- Push notifications for ready holds.
- Same look and feel on both Android and iOS devices.
- Ability to export notes and highlights.
- Tags to track favorite reads, wish lists, and more.
- Compatibility with Apple CarPlay.
Screen Reader Support
Low vision and blind users can use screen readers to browse, borrow, read ebooks and magazines, and listen to audiobooks in the Libby app. Libby Help: Reading a book using a screen reader.
Customizable eBook Reader Display
In the ebook reader, users can choose from a variety of page and font styles for an experience that’s best suited to their reading preferences. When you open another ebook on the same device, your reading settings will automatically be applied.
Zoom feature
In magazines and fixed-layout ebooks (like picture books and comics), users can zoom in on a page to better read text and magnify images.
On a touch device: pinch in or out to change the zoom levels. On a non-touch device, select ZOOM in the top bar, then use the buttons to adjust the zoom level. Libby Help: Zooming in on books and magazines.
Adjustable Text Size & Color Variation
Libby uses a device’s built-in text size setting and scales the text in the app accordingly.
Users can manually adjust the text size for ebooks in the reader and expand the available range to include larger accessibility sizes, if needed. Libby Help: Changing text size in a book
Adjustable Playback Speed
Libby’s audiobook player offers configurable playback speed for every audiobook. Users can choose from 48 different speeds, ranging from 0.6x to 3.0x. You can choose a preset or fine-tune the speed to a custom setting. Libby Help: Changing playback speed
Go to the Menu > Settings > Accessibility Features.
- Reduce Motion
- Reduce Haptics
- Orientation Locking
POWER Library-Pennsylvania Now Available on Libby
POWER Library-Pennsylvania is now searchable on Libby! Users can access both PCL and POWER Library collections. Toggle between library cards; eight checkouts are available with the LCLC, and five loans at a time with POWER Library. Enjoy collections of eBooks, audiobooks, and magazines, including backlist and YA titles – all for FREE for PA residents with your Parkland Community Library card.
How to access the POWER Library on Libby:
- Visit the Libby App
- Go to the Home Menu and click the PCL logo in the top-right corner.
- Scroll to the bottom and select “Add Library.”
- Search for “Power Library.”
- Select your Home Library from the list.
- Sign in with your library card number to start reading.
- Toggle between library cards to get more items!
Questions? Visit or contact the reference desk!
OverDrive TEENS E-Books & Audiobooks
Perfect for school research papers. Students will have access to age-appropriate content from magazines, journals, newspapers, reference books, and engaging multimedia across a wide range of subjects, including science, history, literature, political science, sports, and environmental studies. PowerTeens is a free, reliable resource for library cardholders.
Discover engaging titles on subjects such as: biographies & autobiographies, fiction, Hi-Lo, science & nature, sports & recreation, STEAM, world & culture. Also included are thousands of comics and graphic novels from Disney, Marvel, IDW, Image, and Dark Horse. Learn More
OverDrive KIDS E-Books & Audiobooks
POWER Library gives kids the POWER with a website that meets their information and learning needs.
POWER Kids allows families to watch videos and books online safely. Subjects include nature, the universe, culture, family, art and music, ABCs and 1, 2, 3’s, and more. Enjoy reading aloud with word highlighting and interactive games. Some items are also available in Spanish. This database is suitable for recommendations, STEM projects, homework questions, research, and more.
Read from over 800 titles on subjects such as animals and nature, beginning readers, emotional well-being, graphic nonfiction, and STEM. Learn More
hoopla:
Along with novels and nonfiction, hoopla offers great comic collections. You can find content for all ages on hoopla.
- Borrow five items per month
- A new set of borrows each month.
- No carryover.
- No wait times – all items are simultaneously available to all hoopla users.
- Audiobooks and ebooks.
- Movies, TV shows, comics, and music.
- Note: hoopla is only available for patrons who live in the Parkland School District and paying nonresidents.
PCL is a PA Forward
Gold Star Library
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