Join the library online and use your online borrower number to start reading straightaway.

Your online borrower number also gives you access to PressReader which offers over 7000 newspapers and popular publications from the UK and around the world - available 24/7 and in 60 languages. 

Access eAudiobooks with BorrowBox

BorrowBox – your library in one app

It’s easy to browse, borrow and listen to your eAudiobooks anywhere and everywhere.

eAudiobooks

  • Borrow/reserve up to 8 eAudiobooks at a time.
  • Books are loaned for a 3-week period.
  • Loans expire automatically after three weeks.
  • Books can be returned early and renewed.
  • No late or reservation fees apply.
  • Offline listening by downloading to your smartphone, tablet, Kindle Fire or PC.

Which devices are compatible with BorrowBox?

  • iPhones, iPads and iPod touch – requires iOS 9.3 or later
  • Android phones and tablets – version varies with device
  • Amazon Kindle Fire – version varies with device
  • Windows, Mac or Chromebook computers – the latest browser versions are recommended

Help and support is available through the Bolinda support team on support@bolindadigital.com.

Setting up BorrowBox

On a smartphone or tablet

  • Download and install the BorrowBox app
  • When the download’s complete, click ‘Open’
  • When the app opens, type ‘Milton Keynes Council’ in the library search bar
  • Enter your library card number and PIN (including the initial B if your card starts with one)
  • Agree to the terms and conditions

On Amazon Kindle Fire

  • Download the BorrowBox app directly from the Amazon website

On a computer

  • Go to the BorrowBox website and click the ‘sign in’ link
  • Enter your library card number (including the initial B if your card starts with one) and PIN and sign in
  • Register an account with an email address, display name and agree to the terms and conditions before clicking ‘Submit’

Borrowing eAudiobooks using BorrowBox

On a smartphone or tablet

  • Choose ‘eAudiobooks’ or ‘Search’ in the app menu
  • Select the book you’d like to listen to and click ‘Borrow’ then ‘Confirm loan’
  • If the book is already on loan, you can reserve it by clicking ‘Reserve’ then ‘Confirm reservation’
  • A message will pop up saying ‘Loan successful’
  • Click ‘Download now’
  • The loan will expire automatically after 3 weeks.
  • If no one else has reserved the book, you can click ‘Renew’ (on the ‘My Loans’ view) to extend the loan
  • You can return the book early by clicking ‘Return’ next to the book title

On a computer

  • Use the search bar or browse the categories
  • Select the book you’d like to listen to and click ‘Borrow’ then ‘Confirm loan’
  • If the book is already on loan, you can reserve it by clicking ‘Reserve’ then ‘Confirm reservation’
  • Find the eAudiobook file on your computer (usually in your Downloads folder) and open the file with software that plays MP3 files.
  • The loan will expire automatically after 3 weeks.
  • If no one else has reserved the book, you can click ‘Renew’ (on the ‘My Account page) to extend the loan
  • You can return the book early by clicking ‘Return’ next to the book title

(Remember to delete the MP3 file from your computer)

How do I manage multiple library cards with BorrowBox?

  • If you have registered with BorrowBox for multiple libraries, you will need to log out of the app and log in with the new library card details to access their collection.

     
  • If you return to a library collection while you have loans outstanding, you will have to download any titles you were part way through when you logged out.

Watch a short video introducing you to BorrowBox.

   

Access eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines from OverDrive

OverDrive and Libby, the award-winning one-tap app

eBooks and eAudiobooks

  • Up to 4 titles can be borrowed at a time.
  • Books are loaned for a 3-week period.
  • Loans expire automatically after three weeks.
  • Books can be returned early and renewed.
  • No late or reservation fees apply.
  • Offline reading and listening by downloading to your smartphone, tablet or PC.

eMagazines

  • There is no limit to the number of eMagazines you can borrow at any time.
  • Magazines can be downloaded to your device with no return date.
  • Magazines don’t need to be reserved; they are readily available.
  • Offline reading by downloading to your smartphone, tablet or PC.

Useful Guides

Which devices are compatible with the Libby app?

If you have a Windows computer, Mac computer, or a Chromebook, you can use Libby in your web browser at libbyapp.com. We suggest using the latest version of Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge.

Can I use Libby on my Amazon Fire tablet?

Users with OverDrive's Libby Android package file (APK) on their Fire tablet can continue to use that version. If you would like to switch to the Amazon Appstore version of the app, you can follow these steps.

For full, searchable help, visit the in-app or web-based Libby app help and support centre.

From 13 November 2024 the MP3 audiobook format is discontinued. The OverDrive desktop app for Windows and Mac is no longer supported. Download audiobooks using the Libby app or use the 'Listen now in browser' option.

Setting up Libby

  1. Search for the LIBBY by OVERDRIVE app on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and install on your device.
  2. When the download is complete, tap OPEN.
  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to find and select Milton Keynes Libraries and enter your library card details (including the initial B if your card starts with one).

For full, searchable help, visit the in-app or web-based Libby app help and support centre.

On a laptop or desktop PC

  1. Go to the OverDrive website and SIGN IN with your library card number (including the initial B if your card starts with one).
  2. You will then see the Milton Keynes Libraries OverDrive service ready for you to use.

Borrowing digital books on a smartphone or tablet using Libby

The first time you open the Libby app:

  • You'll see a blue strip across the middle of the screen with ADD YOUR CARD on the right.
  • Tap this to open the sign-in screen.
  • Enter your library card number (including the initial B if your card starts with one) and tap the SIGN IN button.

To browse the collections, tap the LIBRARY button.

  1. Explore the catalogue using the various ways to search, set your preferences or scroll through the collections.
  2. To read/listen to a title, tap BORROW. (If it’s already on loan, you can reserve it by tapping PLACE A HOLD.)
  3. Decide how many days you'd like to borrow it for (7, 14 or 21 days) and tap BORROW to confirm your choice.
  4. The book will download, and you’ll be given the option to KEEP BROWSING or GO TO SHELF. Tapping SHELF will take you to the book to begin reading/listening.
  5. All eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines will automatically expire after 3 weeks.
  6. To renew or return the book, select the cover on the LOANS tab or screen. (Access your loan page by tapping SHELF)
  7. You can then choose to RENEW LOAN or RETURN TITLE TO LIBRARY.
  8. Tap the LIBRARY button at the bottom to return to the catalogue.

Please note: With multiple cards linked to Libby, you’ll be asked to activate the card you want to use for borrowing before choosing an item to download. Your cards will be listed and you need to tap ACTIVATE for the right card.

For full, searchable help, visit the in-app or web-based Libby app help and support centre.

How do I manage multiple cards with Libby?

Libby allows you to add several library cards to the app so you can share a device with another person or across libraries.

To add an additional library card(s) for the same library

  1. Open the Libby app and SIGN IN if your details have not already been automatically saved.
  2. In the top right corner of the screen, tap on the Libby icon. This will open a window and show your registered libraries.
  3. Tap SEE LIBRARY CARDS and a list of your cards will display.
  4. Before linking additional library cards, you can rename your original card to give it a distinguishing name, by tapping ACTIONS button on the card image. You can then choose RENAME CARD and type in the new name.
  5. Tap ADD ANOTHER CARD and you will be prompted for details of another card number at the same library.
  6. Enter the details for the new library card and tap SIGN IN.
  7. The main page will now show 2 LIBRARY CARDS. Use the same process to name and link additional library cards.

To add an additional card(s) for a different library

  1. Open the Libby app and SIGN IN if your details have not automatically been saved.
  2. In the top right corner of the screen, click on the Libby icon. This will open a window and show your registered libraries.
  3. Tap ADD A LIBRARY and search for the new library you’d like to add.
  4. Tap on the relevant library and it will be added to your list of libraries.
  5. Tap the Libby icon and you will see your new library added but without any cards.
  6. Tap the card and ENTER LIBRARY ACCOUNT DETAILS.
  7. Once entered, it will display on your screen and you can switch between library catalogues within the Libby app.
  8. The main page will now show the new entry under YOUR LIBRARIES. Use the same process to name and link additional libraries or cards.

To remove library cards from the Libby app

  1. Open the Libby app and SIGN IN if your details have not automatically been saved.
  2. Tap on the Libby icon. This will open a window and show your registered libraries.
  3. Tap to select your library and SEE LIBRARY CARDS. On the card to be removed, tap ACTIONS.
  4. Tap REMOVE CARD (you will be asked to confirm removal).
  5. Repeat to remove other cards.

If you have installed Libby on other devices with a setup code, the library card will automatically be removed from those as well.

For full, searchable help, visit the in-app or web-based Libby app help and support centre.

How do I access my account information with Libby?

If you have one library card registered in Libby

  1. Open the Libby app and tap on the words 2 LIBRARY CARDS (or however many you have).
  2. A tab will open for you to tap ACTIVATE next to the named card you want to review.
  3. Tap on the card image, which will flip the card over and you can see
    • when the card was added
    • the allowance you have for any loans/holds
    • how many loans you currently have
    • how many holds you have placed

If you have more than one card registered in Libby

  1. Open the Libby app
  2. Tap on the words 2 LIBRARY CARDS (or however many you have linked to the app)
  3. A tab will open for you to tap ACTIVATE next to the named card you want to review.
  4. Tap on the card image, which will flip the card over and you can see
    • when the card was added
    • the allowance you have for any loans/holds
    • how many loans you currently have
    • how many holds you have placed

For full, searchable help, visit the in-app or web-based Libby app help and support centre.

Watch a short video introducing you to Libby, the one tap app.

Milton Keynes City Council Libraries contact information

Milton Keynes Central Library, 555 Silbury Boulevard, Milton Keynes MK9 3HL