You can use any web browser on any internet-connected computer, tablet, or smartphone to visit our NHDB site and to checkout an eBook in Kindle Book format.
Turn on your Kindle device and connect to wi-fi or open your Kindle app and sync the device or app to download and start reading the library’s Kindle Book.
If you own a Kindle eReader, a Kindle Fire, or have installed the Kindle App on your smartphone or tablet:
Most, but not all, of the eBooks in the NHDB collection are compatible with the Kindle eReader or app.
The Kindle app can be installed for free on a wide variety of Apple, Android, Windows, or Blackberry devices.
The Kindle eReaders and Kindle Fire do not require an app for Kindle Books, but the Kindle Fire will require an app for the digital magazines and audiobooks. (Discontinuing in 2023)
Kindle eInk eReaders cannot play audiobooks or be used to read digital magazines.
Compatible Formats
Kindle Books
Kindle Books can be transferred wirelessly via Wi-Fi to a Kindle, Kindle Fire, or to a wide variety of devices with an installed Kindle app.
Kindle Books can be transferred with a USB cable to Kindle eReaders, but not to a tablet or smartphone with the Kindle App installed.
You must have a library card in good standing at one of the 200 member New Hampshire Public Libraries.
You need to know your card number and perhaps a library account PIN, password, or prefix. Contact your local librarian for more information.
You will need to know your Amazon ID (email address) and password to send Kindle Books onto your device or download to a computer for USB cable loading.
Using a computer to search, check out, and deliver the Kindle Book to the Kindle app or Kindle eReader.
Using the default web browser, such as Chrome on an Android device or Safari on an Apple device, to search, check out, and deliver the Kindle Book to the Kindle app or Kindle eReader.
Using the Libby app on an Android or Apple device to send the eBook to the Kindle app or a dedicated Kindle eInk Reader.
Select an eBook and tap “Borrow.” A pop-up message will appear stating that the book has been successfully checked out and to “Read Now with Kindle.”
The title can also be found by visiting “My Account >> Loans.”
After checking out an eBook on the Libby app, select "Read with..." to select the Kindle version of the title.
Pro Tip: A small percentage of titles in the NHDB collection are not compatible with Kindle eReaders and/or the Kindle app. If the book is not available in Kindle Book format, try the Read Now (Libby) format on smartphone or tablet devices. This is the default format for the Libby app.
You are brought directly to the Amazon website. If you are using a computer to send your Kindle Books to a Kindle device and are not logged into the correct account, you will notice an orange button that prompts you to sign into Amazon. Do not tap this “Sign In” button. It will not bring you to the correct place. Only tap the “Get Library Book” button. Sign into your Amazon account. If you are already logged into Amazon, make sure that this is the correct account.
Pro Tip: The Amazon account used to check out the eBook must be the same account used to register the Kindle or Kindle app! If the user logs into the Amazon account and the app (or Kindle device) is not listed, the user logged into the wrong account. Unfortunately, the Kindle Book cannot be transferred to another Kindle account. If this happens and the patron is using the Kindle app on a smartphone or tablet, consider trying the OverDrive Read Now format in the OverDrive app, a computer browser, or the new Libby app.
Extra tip: Signing into the Amazon account on your device prior to checking out a Kindle Book is helpful to ensuring you are checking the book out to the correct account.
Always check that you are signed into the correct account that is associated with your Kindle. This is especially important for families that have multiple Amazon accounts.
Pro Tip: The Kindle Book can be delivered to another Kindle device or Kindle app registered to the same account by clicking on “Manage Your Content and Device” or viewing material in the Kindle Cloud from the app or device itself and selecting the title to download to the device.
November 2024 Update: While it is still possible to take the steps outlined below to return a Kindle Book to the NHDB collection, OverDrive has simplified the process.
When you are ready to return the Kindle Book, open the Libby app >> Shelf
Next, tap on Return Early.
Scroll downwards to find "Return with Kindle" and tap.
At this time, you are brought to Amazon's website. Note that you must be logged into Amazon or your login remembered to proceed.
Click on the link "...return this book."
And, finally, tap "Yes" to complete the return.
OverDrive has changed how eBooks read in the Kindle Book format are returned to our digital collection. Kindle Book checkouts are now returned from the Kindle app, Amazon website, or from the Kindle device. (June 2024)
Your local public librarian can also return Kindle Books from your account.
Librarians: Visit the OverDrive Marketplace >> Support >> Return Titles >> Search by patron card number to select the desired title and "return."
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the New Hampshire State Library.
