Borrow electronic books and audiobooks 

eBooks and eAudiobooks are electronic versions of books and audiobooks. Members can read and listen to books online through our 2 eBook services called BorrowBox and Libby.

How to borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks

If you're a library member you can borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks from Borrowbox. You can also borrow eBooks, eAudiobooks, eComics and eMagazines from Libby. 

Both of these services have an app and a website.

If you’re not a member of the library, you can join online.

BorrowBox

You can use BorrowBox online or you can download the app. You can download the BorrowBox app on the following devices:

  • Apple iPhones and iPads
  • Android phones and tablets
  • Kindle Fire, but not other Kindle devices

BorrowBox also works with the Kobo eReader, but you will need to install Adobe Digital Editions onto your computer or Apple Mac before using the app. 

How to set up the BorrowBox app

  1. Download BorrowBox from the Apple App Store for iPhones and iPads, from the Play Store for Android devices, or the Amazon App Store for the Kindle (Please note only Kindle Fire is compatible with BorrowBox) 
  2. Once you’ve downloaded BorrowBox, select Brighton & Hove City Libraries 
  3. Enter your library card number, PIN and email address 

You can find the full instructions on how to download BorrowBox on the BorrowBox website.

How to use BorrowBox on a computer

  1. You’ll need to install Adobe Digital Editions on your computer to download eBooks, this is free to install
  2. Go to the BorrowBox website
  3. Enter your library card number, PIN and email address

If you’ve forgotten your PIN, you can reset your PIN online.  

How to borrow and reserve items on BorrowBox

You can borrow up to 10 items at once, for a period of 21 days. This includes a maximum of 5 eBooks and 5 eAudiobooks.

Any reservations you make count as part of your 10 items.

Reserving items on BorrowBox is free.  

There are no overdue fees with Borrowbox. When your eBook or eAudiobook loan reaches its due date, it is automatically removed from your account. 

You can renew your loans before they are due, as long as the item on loan is not reserved by someone else.

Libby

You can also borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks, as well as eMagazines and eComics using Libby. 

You can use Libby online on your computer or by downloading the Libby app on the following devices: 

  • Apple iPhones and iPads 
  • Android phones and tablets 

How to set up the Libby app 

To set up the Libby app:

  • download Libby from the Apple App Store for  iPhones and iPads, from the Play Store for Android devices 
  • if you’re using a computer, visit the Libby website 

The first time you open Libby, you will need to register with your details by answering a series of questions. To do this: 

  • click 'Search for a Library' and search for 'Brighton & Hove City Libraries’ when you’re asked to find your library
  • click 'Sign in With My Card' 
  • enter your library card number and click ‘Next’ 
  • enter your library PIN 

If you’ve forgotten your PIN, you can reset your PIN online.  

Borrowing and reserving items on Libby 

You can borrow up to 3 items at once, for a loan period of 14 days. 

The Libby app refers to reservations as ‘holds’. To reserve an item, click ‘Place hold.’ 

Reserving items on Libby is free.  You can reserve up to 3 items at once. 

There are no overdue fees with Libby. When your eBook or eAudiobook loan reaches its due date, it is automatically removed from your account. 

You can renew your loans before they are due, as long as the item on loan is not reserved by someone else. 

For more information on how to set up and use Libby, visit the Libby Help site.