Use Code TPL2020 to Get a Temporary Digital Library Card with OverDrive
This campaign has closed. Temporary OverDrive digital cards will expire in September, 2021.
Now, you can register online for a permanent Digital Access Card!
Torontonians who don't have a Toronto Public Library card can now access OverDrive, our largest collection of ebooks and audiobooks, with the new Instant Digital Card. This temporary card is available to people age 13 and older with a Toronto cell phone that can receive texts. New customers can enjoy this access until December 31, 2020.
What you'll need:
- Our campaign code: TPL2020
- A cell phone, with a Toronto area code (416, 647 or 437), that can receive text messages
- Either a computer with an internet connection, OR
- A smartphone or tablet with one of OverDrive's ereading apps:
How to register:
On a smartphone or tablet:
1. Download the Libby or OverDrive ereading app onto your smartphone or tablet.
- Libby app (easiest to use) – For iPhone or iPad | For Android
- OverDrive app (best for screen reader accessibility) – For iPhone or iPad | For Android
2. Open the app and follow the prompt to enter your cell phone number.
On a computer:
- Go to tpl.ca/overdrive and follow the prompt to enter your cell phone number.
After entering your cell phone number, on any device:
- You will receive a text message with a six-digit verification number. Enter the number.
- Complete your registration by entering your first and last names and the campaign code TPL2020.
- Start reading!
You can sign in again any time with your cell phone number as your login.
What you'll get:
- Access to our largest and most popular ebook platform, with thousands of ebooks and audiobooks
- Collections for adults, children and teens
- Small collections in French, Chinese, Russian, Spanish and Portuguese
- Nearly 3,000 streaming videos
- Borrow up to 30 items at a time, and place up to 30 holds
Not included:
Because this account is provided by OverDrive, it will not give access to our other online resources, such as Kanopy or Hoopla. (Note: We are actively working on launching full online registration in the near future, which will provide access to all our digital resources.)
Getting a full-access library card:
OverDrive digital library cards will expire December 31, 2020. You will receive a text message from OverDrive prior to expiry, inviting you to sign up for a permanent TPL card. You will need to visit a library branch in person to get one (or use the new online registration process, once it is implemented).
Your privacy:
If you sign up for a temporary OverDrive card, your full name and cell phone number will be stored on OverDrive's servers. They will only be used for the purposes of providing access to OverDrive, as outlined in their privacy policy.
How to get help:
Read our Frequently Asked Questions (PDF), fill out the online form at OverDrive Front Line Tech Support, or contact our Answerline service at answerline@tpl.ca.
News release:
Read the full news release about our Instant Digital Card for more information and use statistics of our online collections during our closure.
Edit: News Release added April 16, 2020
Edit: Expiry date extended August 24, 2020
Edit: Campaign ended; added expiry date for temporary cards, link to permanent Digital Access Card, November 12, 2020
Edit: Updated expiry from March to September, 2021
72 thoughts on “Use Code TPL2020 to Get a Temporary Digital Library Card with OverDrive”
What about for children under 13! We have small people who need library cards too.
What’s the reason for the age restriction?
yea small kids too
Hi everyone,
It’s a legal thing. OverDrive does not allow children younger than 13 to set up accounts because children cannot enter into contracts, i.e. accepting the Terms and Conditions of using an online service.
Great news, though: paren’ts can borrow children’s books on their own accounts, and share them with their kids! And since you can borrow up to 30 items at a time, you can access ereading for yourself and your little ones.
You are supposed to be able to sign in again any time with your cell phone number as your login. BUT I have tried signing in and told that library card has 14 numbers….so it is not letting me back in….what am I doing wrong?
I have signed up for a Temporary Digital Library Card with Overdrive.
How did you do that on the Overdrive app?
I’m a teacher and I would like my students to have a digital library card, however, they are not 13 years old. Is it possible for their paren’ts to obtain a digital library card? My students are in grade 5 and some of them are voracious readers, so it would be good for them to access the library digitally. Please let me know.
Thank you.
Yeah! The idea of setting age limits to 13 years is just about protecting the library and Overdrive. There are specific rules around providing internet services to minors, and since these are much more onerous to implement, having a guardian sign up for the service and manage the access for their children falls within acceptable use.
Also, see Wendy’s comment above!
Hi Mike,
Your cell phone number should work. We received reports that OverDrive was experiencing technical issues on Friday night. Are you still having the same problem? If so, please let us know here, or contact answerline@tpl.ca for help.
I am trying to sign into the Libby app however there is no option to give my cell phone number as a temporary card. It keeps saying to enter your library card number or get one at a branch. Am I doing something wrong?
Hi Wendy: the TPL account is still having problems recognizing 10 digit phone # in lieu of a 14 digit library card.
Thanks, Aubrey. I’ll pass this on to OverDrive and see if we can get it sorted out.
01101000 01101001 00100000 01101000 01101111 01110111 00100000 01100001 01110010 01100101 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101
01000111 01101111 01101111 01100100 00101100 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100001 01101110 01101011 01110011 00101110 00100000 00100000 01000001 01101110 01100100 00100000 01111001 01101111 01110101 00111111
Is there no way to use this on a MAC Air laptop?
Hi Margaret,
There should be! Follow the steps for “on a computer” in the post, above. If you’re running into problems, you can email answerline@tpl.ca for help.
Hi Anne,
You might need to clear your browser cache and try again. If that doesn’t work, you can email answerline@tpl.ca for help.
Hi,
I’ve gotten a temporary library card with my cell phone (on my computer) and I was wondering if I could use it on a different device. So far, I haven’t been able to enter my cell phone number on my iPad. Am I doing something wrong or do I have to get another verification code? Thanks
Hi Dee,
I don’t think you’re doing anything wrong – some other people have reported the same problem, but I think there’s an easy fix. Are you using the Libby app on your iPad, or going through the library website? If it’s the latter, you might need to clear your browser cache in order to get the prompt for your cell phone number.
If that doesn’t work or if you could use more detailed support, you can also email answerline@tpl.ca. Let them know your question, and whether you’re using the app or going through the site.
I was hoping to find out how to relieve the area code restriction. We didn’t get new cell numbers when we moved here. Is there a fax or something we’re we can send the required ID (pre quarantine requirements) to obtain an account?
Thank you.
Update: I’m wondering if you’re logging in to OverDrive directly, at https://tpl.ca/overdrive, or if you’re logging in to the TPL website at https://tpl.ca? The Instant Digital Card login with your cell phone number will only work on the OverDrive site, not on tpl.ca. Does that help?
Hi ABC,
We’re actively working on an online registration option, but it’s very complicated and will take a while to implement. In the meantime, the area code restriction is the best workaround we could come up with. There really isn’t a way around it at the moment, unfortunately. But please check back – we’ll announce the new online registration option as soon as it’s available.
Hi: I want an e-card but do not have a cell phone, just a computer. Please advise.
The plastic library card number has expired.
thanks, Valerie
Hi Valerie,
Unfortunately you need a cell phone that can receive text messages and has a Toronto area code to get a digital card.
However, you might be able to renew your original library card online! Here’s more information about online card renewal: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/using-the-library/help/expired-cards.jsp .
If you’re running into trouble, please email answerline@tpl.ca for support.
Is there really no way to acquire a digital card without a cell phone? I live and work in Toronto and would like access to this service.
if I don’t have a cell phone does that mean that even with a library card I will still need one to borrow digital content? Is the need to send me a text a deal breaker?
Hi Joseph,
Sorry – this was the best workaround we could come up with on short notice. We are working as fast as we can’to offer a full-access digital card that will use a different method of verification, but it’s really complicated for various reasons, and will take some time.
Hi J C M,
The cell phone method is for people who didn’t already have a card at the time of closure. If you already have a library card, you’re golden! You can just log in to your account using the library card number (on the back of your card, under the bar code) and PIN (which is usually the last 4 digits of the phone number you used when registering for your card). If you need tech support, you can email answerline@tpl.ca.
Heh………………. _ _
Im just ’bout to turn 13 \_(▪~▪)_/
Happy birthday!! We hope you enjoy all your new ebooks.
Children under 13 can have library cards. Just put phone number of the childs paren’t.
Oh nvm
My roommate told me about this service that the library is offering. I’m disappointed, though, because I have a 905 number but live in the city. I can’t get access. What a poor method of having to apply.
Hi there,
How would i go about and register for a card to access lynda.com? Would the instant digital card work? I registered and could not find a library number on the overdrive account
Thank you
Because the instant digital card is provided by OverDrive, it only gives access to our OverDrive collections (which include ebooks, eaudiobooks and some videos) – and not to Lynda.com. We’re working on a card that will give access to all of our digital resources, including Lynda, but it could take a while. Please keep checking back!
Hi, can’this be set up on multiple devices for example my phone and my tablet or e reader?
Thanks
I’m in the same boat! Moved to Toronto but never bothered changing my cellphone number (as most plans have free nationwide calling now).
Eagerly awaiting the online registration process! Thankfully I can still access Overdrive/Libby with an old library card from a different city, but would be nice to have access to Toronto’s larger collection 🙂 Thanks for all the work you are putting into this TPL!
is it only for toronto residence? I have moved to Mississauga. Cam In register.
Hi Princy,
Yes, this card is only for people who live in Toronto and have a cell phone with a Toronto area code. However, you’re in luck: Mississauga also has a great library system, and they also offer a digital library card: https://web.mississauga.ca/library/
Hi Natalie,
Yes, this can be set up on multiple devices. It will work well with your phone and your tablet; ereaders can be more difficult to set up, depending on the model (and for many ereaders, it won’t work at all). If you’re having trouble signing on with an ereader, you can get help by emailing answerline@tpl.ca.
Hi Wendy,
Any news on this? My students (Graduate level) are mostly from out of town but have always been able to access online databases through the library with a letter from our Registrar (we are across the street from Met Ref). I have a bunch of new students, and students who had not got their cards yet. Any chance for them?
Hi Annette,
Online registration’s not ready yet, but I can confirm that they’re actively working on it, and they’ve made a lot of progress. I don’t have a delivery date for it yet, though (sorry!)
How do I read newspapers with this TPL access using Libby?
Hi George,
Unfortunately, the Instant Digital Card doesn’t give you access to online newspapers – just to the Libby collection, which includes ebooks, eaudiobooks, some videos, and some magazines.
You can access a small selection of current news magazines in Libby, including Newsweek and New York magazine. The easiest way to find them is to select “Library” in the app, then scroll down the list of featured items until you hit the section called “Always Available Magazines”. You can select the list to browse it, and narrow it down by subject by selecting, e.g., “News” from the list just above the magazines.
And keep in mind that we’re still working on a digital card that will give you full access to all of our digital collections, including newspapers – hopefully sometime this summer.
I live in Toronto, but have a cell phone with a 289 area code–I’ve had it for years. It really sucks that the only way to prove you live in the city is by cell phone number. Is there any way around it?
Ty Wendy
Hi Wendy,
While I’m trying to keep the my son away from computers and electronics in general, since this is the one of the only things he can do due the pandemic but then, he just can have access to library books thought online resources. There’s any plan to limit the visitation so at least I can do new registration for him so we can work with a curb-side pick up for physical books?
Hi Wendy,
Unfortunately my digital card is not available via my Libby app. I am not able to see the e-books I was currently in progress nor my holds. I tried to re-install the app and also did try on different devices but the issue is the same. The app won’t let me access my card when ever I give my mobile number. It keeps showing me an error “We were not able to generate a library card from your mobile phone number, if you continue to have difficulties please get in touch”. So not sure what can be done as I don’t want to loose the holds I currently have. Can you please help
Hi Gabrielle,
We’re not set up for curbside registration at this point – do you have your own library card you could use? If not, we’re still working on an online registration option, which will allow you to place holds for curbside pickup. Keep checking tpl.ca for updates.
Hi Janice,
Do you already have a library card? If so, you can log in to Libby using your library card bar code number instead of your cell phone number.
If not, please contact answerline@tpl.ca for help.
do you think kids are not responsible? do you not know that kids have paren’ts that go to work and when the kids are left alone they want to read so just let the paren’ts sign up and delete all of the silly contracts and terms so that they can read. when you were a kid you thought that you could do anything but people said no so why don’t you let others and they can feel happy and so can you
SO LISTEN TO THE OTHERS AND ME!
Hi Rajavinothiny,
I admire your passionate desire to read! I’m wondering if you might be a kid who’s directly impacted by this policy? What you wrote reminds me of how I felt as a kid when I wanted to get access to books from the library – at the time, kids weren’t allowed into the adult section, and there were books I really wanted to read there.
In this case, the problem is that we’d be violating the law if we allowed kids to sign contracts – and we can’t get rid of contracts with vendors who sell us ebooks, because they’re how we can make this stuff available at all.
My advice (if you are, indeed, a kid) would be to do what I did and enlist a trusted adult – maybe a paren’t or relative? – to help you get the books you want, until such time as you’re legally able to do this on your own. We do really want you to be able to read!
(And if you’re not a kid, my apologies – and I still admire your passion for reading.)
I put in the phone number, it does not send the code…what should I do?
Hi Hi,
Please email answerline@tpl.ca for support.
I am having the same issue!!! Can anyone help?!?!
Hi Courtney and Julie,
We’re actively working on an online registration option, but it’s very complicated and will take a while to implement. In the meantime, the area code restriction is the best workaround we could come up with. There really isn’t a way around it at the moment, unfortunately. But please check back – we’ll announce the new online registration option as soon as it’s available.
B
Shortly Toronto libraries will be open. Be patient people and stop bickering.
Hello, my card has expired and i tried to log in to renew, but cant get my password reset? i’ve sent an email to the online help weeks ago but have not heard back. is there anything i can do?
Hi Olivia,
Here’s an FAQ about online card renewal that might be helpful: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/using-the-library/help/online-card-renewal-faq.jsp
There’s been a huge volume of help requests by email, which is why your answer is taking so long to arrive – but we’ve also recently reopened our telephone support lines, which might be quicker: 416-397-5981. I hope this helps!
Good morning Wendy,
I have forgotten my password for Kanopy. I have tried password reset but get caught in a reset verification loop. Do you have any suggestions?
I have a disability and can’t get to the library in person. Is there no other way to get a permanent card? That restricts my access to the library, which doesn’t seem fair. Disabled people like to read, too!
Hi Andrea,
Was this the link you used? https://www.kanopy.com/user/password
If it’s not working, let me know.
Hi Ronna,
We’re currently actively working on creating a full-access digital registration option – stay tuned!
Meanwhile, please contact our Accessibility Services department – various contact options at https://www.tpl.ca/accessibility – for assistance.
Some of us have moved on to more secure VoIP telephone services to bypass the regular phone companies who store and resell all SMS Text Messages. SMS texting is the least secure form of communication on the planet, but a revenue stream for the phone companies. How do you propose to offer this Digital Card capability to the rest of us? Or maybe I should just ask when I can walk over to my local library and get a regular card (my old one expired ages ago)?
Hi there,
If you have an expired Toronto Public Library card, you might be able to renew it online: https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/using-the-library/help/online-card-renewal-faq.jsp
We’re still developing full-access online registration, and hope to make an announcement a little later this year.
Regarding in-person registration, here’s the space to watch for announcements about updates to library services: http://localhost:5000/programming/our-reopening-plan.html
We’ll also announce changes to services at tpl.ca.
Hi, Just a question about Lynda.com, which I use now and then. The URL “lynda.com” brings up a page that says “100% of Lynda.com’s courses and instructors have moved to LinkedIn Learning” apparen’tly owned by Microsoft / LinkedIn. But logging in through TPL brings me to the usual Lynda site with a few saved items under my TPL account identity. Is TPL going to continue to offer Lynda / LinkedIn Learning, being I’d think one of the better waqys to spend pandemic time? Will it require a LinkedIn Microsoft account (which I’m not in a hurry to create)?
Hi JB,
At this time, TPL customers can still access the familiar Lynda.com interface through our website. In the future, we may be migrating to a new platform and interface but for now there are no changes to Lynda for Libraries for our customers. We will share an update if this changes.
Hope this helps!
Amy
Are there plans to extend this service past September 1?
Hi KJ,
Yes – we’ve extended access to OverDrive via the digital card to December 31, 2020.
Meanwhile, you can now also sign up for a library card in person at a branch (make sure you bring address I.D.!), and we’re getting very close to having full-access digital registration, too.
Would your library system ever consider allowing out of area/US readers access to your digital library for an annual fee? Many library systems in the US have a limited selection but your library system is like a treasure trove! I would willingly pay $100 a year for access to your collection. Maybe limit the number of ebooks/audiobooks to be checked out at a time? I would be eternally grateful!