Note: This web site is "unofficial" and is not operated by the Robbins Library.
To contact the Robbins Library visit: https://www.robbinslibrary.org/
Last updated May 20, 2020
This page provides information for Arlington Massachusetts residents who would like to borrow free electronic books for use with computers, smartphones, tablets, Kindles, and other devices. The two major types of digital books are:
e-books - books that are readable on electronic devices, such as computers, smart phones, tablets, and e-readers such as Kindles
digital audio books - books that are read aloud, to be listened to using household electronic devices, like computers and smart phones
Many of the services discussed here may also provide movies, music, magazines, databases, and other forms of content, but only e-books and digital audiobooks are covered here. There are other resources, as well, that are not covered here because they are not specific to Arlington or even Massachusetts - see the section "Non-Arlington Resources."
Please send suggestions and corrections to steve@palmerrothman.com
Links to information from the Robbins Library
The main site for the Robbins Library is https://www.robbinslibrary.org/
If you don't have a Robbins Library Card (or number) here's a form: https://library.minlib.net/selfreg
If you know your 14-digit Library Card number, but don't know your PIN, then go to: https://library.minlib.net/pinreset
Robbins Library staff is available for questions about digital resources by writing to arlington@minlib.net
General information about digital resources is available: https://robbinslibrary.wordpress.com/2020/03/16/using-the-library-from-a-distance-during-covid-19/
Robbins Library offers instructional guides for its digital resources at] Instructional guides for many Robbins Library digital resources: https://robbinslibrary.wordpress.com/2020/03/18/robbins-instructional-guides-are-now-online/
Robbins Library is part of the Minuteman Library Network. For information: https://www.minlib.net/
Getting Started for Beginners
If you're brand new to e-books and digital audiobooks, the easiest way to get started is to use Hoopla. You'll need to know your library card number and your PIN/password. These instructions assume you'd like to read (or listen) using your smart phone or tablet.
Go to the App Store or Google Play and find and install the free Hoopla Digital app.
Create a Hoopla account for yourself.
Sign in using your Robbins Library card number & password.
To search for books, tap the Search icon at the bottom, then type in your search. Results will be labeled as Audiobook or EBook. You can use the Filter icon to select what type of books your search will show you.
You can tap on a book to see more details about it. To go back to the search tap the "back arrow" at the top left. To borrow the book, just tap the Borrow button.
Once you've borrowed a book, you can read or listen to it right in the Hoopla Digital app.
Hoopla
https://www.hoopladigital.com If you have a Robbins Library card you can sign on to Hoopla. E-books and audio books are available.
Robbins Library blog post about using Hoopla: https://robbinslibrary.wordpress.com/2014/05/01/youre-going-to-love-hoopla/
Hoopla is available as a web page: https://www.hoopladigital.com/ and there are links to download the app to your tablet or smart phone if you check the App Store on the device.
Recommendation: Download the app to your device and set up your account through the downloaded app (rather than through Hoopla.com using a web browser).
Getting support from Hoopla: The Help function leads to FAQs. If the FAQs don't help you can get support by writing to feedback@hoopladigital.com
Libby is an app for smart phones and tablets that works with the Overdrive system for e-books and digital audiobooks.
Libby has built-in e-book reader and audiobook player.
Libby also permits you to read e-books using a Kindle or using Kindle software on another device.
There is a useful "how-to" guide by David Coletta explaining how to add other library networks to your Libby app, so that you can borrow from other Mass libraries that are not in the Minuteman Network: https://medium.com/@davidcoletta/how-to-sign-into-an-lea-partner-library-with-your-minuteman-library-network-card-5a07a0a1214
You can find useful information, including a comparison between the Libby app and the Overdrive app on the SAILS Overdrive/Libby help page: https://www.sailsinc.org/overdrive-help/
(note: SAILS is a group of Mass libraries, similar to the Minuteman Network, but covering different libraries)
Overdrive is a company that handles e-books and digital audiobooks for libraries, including the Minuteman Library Network.
Overdrive's web site is https://www.overdrive.com/
You can work with Overdrive using its website, or by using its older "Overdrive" apps, or by using the newer "Libby" app, which is also an Overdrive product.
See "Libby" section above for link including comparison of Libby and Overdrive.
RBdigital is not affiliated with the Robbins Library or the Minuteman Library Network. However, it is affiliated with the Boston Public Library (BPL), and all Arlington residents qualify for a BPL card. RBdigital has a very good selection of digital audiobooks (but no e-books).
To get a BPL card, access this website: https://www.bpl.org/ecard/
You can download the free RBdigital app on your smartphone or tablet. There are links on this page: https://rbdigital.com/
To learn more, watch the BPL video about RBdigital: https://my.nicheacademy.com/bostonpublic/course/177
The focus of this page is for resources specifically for Arlington Mass residents, but here are some useful links for anyone who is interested in e-books and digital audiobooks:
Project Gutenberg - Offers freely available e-books and audiobooks from non-copyrighted sources: https://www.gutenberg.org/
Open Library - Offers copyrighted material, with debatable legality and ethics: https://openlibrary.org/ (For more information about Open Library from an independent source see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Library)
Thanks! I received helpful information and suggestions from some of the staff at the Robbins Library, from TH, DC, and especially from SF. Any errors on this page are my own. Please send suggestions and corrections to steve@palmerrothman.com