Returning eBooks and eAudiobooks
You’ve finally finished reading your latest eBook from TPL and want to make it available for other library users. Or, you’ve reached your checkout limit and want to free up space for additional checkouts.
Many people are wondering, is it possible to return eBooks early? The answer is, absolutely!
If you are using Adobe Digital Editions on a Windows or Mac-based desktop computer, the icon for a title in your bookshelf view will have a small triangle (Item Options) at the top left of it, which when clicked will show a pull-down menu, including "Return Borrowed Item". Select this to return the item and have it removed from your bookshelf.
Click here for more detailed instruction on returning EPUB eBooks.
Click here for more detailed instruction on returning PDF eBooks.
If you are using Sony Reader Library on a desktop computer, you can right-click the icon for the title and you will see the same "Return borrowed item" option in the menu.
If you are using the OverDrive Media Console app for iOS/Android/Windows Mobile/Blackberry, when you go to delete a title from your bookshelf, a menu will pop up that includes the option "Return & Delete" allowing you to return items early. Click here for further instruction.
Returning eAudiobooks
Due to publisher licensing agreements OverDrive eAudiobooks such as WMA or MP3 files cannot be returned early. They will be automatically returned to the library at the end of the lending period.
A note on lending periods
The lending period for eBooks is usually 21 days, but you can adjust this to 7 or 14 day periods when checking out materials in Overdrive. Additionally, you can set personalized default lending period(s) on a format-by-format basis at the 'Lending Periods' page in your Overdrive Account. The mobile version of this site uses the default lending period you specify at the 'Lending Periods' page.
14 thoughts on “Returning eBooks and eAudiobooks”
is the library website having technical problems?
is the library website having technical problems?
Very strange and confusing system I must say.
For Audio books: Can you just clarify to people the “lending period” is actually not on the book itself, but the expiry date is on the actual download link…?
I was so confused. How can I return an MP3 file…? Is Overdrive going to automatically delete it after that “lending period”…? Should I have to finish reading it before the 21 days then…?
I looked around and read through all the “help” and FAQ, but nothing shows the answers. Most people probably won’t understand the system until the 21 days expired and they’ve experienced a full cycle.
Very strange and confusing system I must say.
For Audio books: Can you just clarify to people the “lending period” is actually not on the book itself, but the expiry date is on the actual download link…?
I was so confused. How can I return an MP3 file…? Is Overdrive going to automatically delete it after that “lending period”…? Should I have to finish reading it before the 21 days then…?
I looked around and read through all the “help” and FAQ, but nothing shows the answers. Most people probably won’t understand the system until the 21 days expired and they’ve experienced a full cycle.
This system is laughable. Returning electronic files? Brilliant invention by bireucrats!
This system is laughable. Returning electronic files? Brilliant invention by bireucrats!
Will the ebook be automatically returned after 21 days, or do we have to return it ourself?
Will the ebook be automatically returned after 21 days, or do we have to return it ourself?
Hi Mary,
Yes, the eBook checkout automatically expires and is cleared from your record at the end of the lending period.
Hi Mary,
Yes, the eBook checkout automatically expires and is cleared from your record at the end of the lending period.
That’s what I wanted to know, are late fees charged if you do not manually return an ebook?
That’s what I wanted to know, are late fees charged if you do not manually return an ebook?
Hi Lara,
There are no late fees for eBooks.
Hi Lara,
There are no late fees for eBooks.