By 1808Delaware
For Delaware County residents, the next great read might be waiting on a bookshelf, or it might already be available on a smartphone, tablet, or computer. Now it’s easy to find out!
Thanks to the Ohio Digital Library, cardholders of the Delaware County District Library (DCDL) have access to an extensive collection of ebooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines without paying subscription fees or even making a trip to the library.
The service, accessible through the library’s Digital Books & More page, connects readers with a statewide collection of materials, which offers everything from bestselling fiction and mysteries to cookbooks, biographies, children’s literature, science fiction, and magazines.
A Statewide Library at Your Fingertips
The Ohio Digital Library is a cooperative effort administered by the State Library of Ohio, bringing together approximately 180 participating libraries to share digital reading materials. Rather than relying solely on an individual library’s holdings, participating institutions provide access to a much larger collection. The arrangement gives readers in communities throughout Delaware County an opportunity to explore the same broad range of titles available elsewhere in the state.
The service has operated since the early 2000s and has grown alongside changes in how Americans read and listen to books.
More Than Just Ebooks
While digital novels are a major attraction, the Ohio Digital Library offers considerably more. Audiobooks, for instance, allow users to enjoy mysteries, histories, biographies, and other titles while commuting, exercising, or relaxing at home. Digital magazines cover cooking, gardening, health, travel, photography, technology, and other interests. The collection also includes materials for children and teenagers, making it useful for families looking for additional reading opportunities.
The Delaware County District Library has also promoted an expanded collection of comic books and graphic novels through the Ohio Digital Library, featuring titles from publishers such as Marvel, DC Comics, and others.
Readers can search for particular authors and titles, explore favorite subjects, or browse curated collections. New ebooks and audiobooks are added regularly.
Meet Libby, the App That Makes It Possible
One of the easiest ways to use the Ohio Digital Library is through Libby, the free reading app developed by OverDrive. Available for smartphones and tablets, Libby lets readers borrow ebooks, listen to audiobooks, and enjoy digital magazines. The service can also be accessed through a computer’s web browser.
After connecting a valid library card, users can browse titles, borrow materials, and place holds on books that are currently checked out. Books and audiobooks can be downloaded for offline enjoyment, and many borrowed ebooks can be sent to compatible Kindle devices.
Unlike physical library materials, digital loans are returned automatically when their borrowing periods end, eliminating overdue fines.
Getting Started in Delaware County
For existing Delaware County District Library cardholders, the process begins at delawarelibrary.org/digital. The library’s Digital Books & More page includes a direct link to the Ohio Digital Library and Libby, along with tutorials and instructions for using Kindle devices. Visitors can browse the collection, install the Libby app, and connect their eligible library card to begin borrowing.
Those without a DCDL card can register online through the library’s card registration page and receive immediate access to digital resources, including the Ohio Digital Library. It’s that easy.
Anyone residing in Ohio may register for a Delaware County District Library card. New cardholders can visit a DCDL branch to pick up their physical card or add their barcode to the library’s mobile app. Questions about library cards or digital resources can be directed to the library at 740-362-3861.
The Library Beyond Its Walls
The Ohio Digital Library is one part of the Delaware County District Library’s growing collection of online resources, which also includes streaming entertainment, educational tools, and research databases. Physical books remain an essential part of public library service, but digital access extends its reach to people who cannot easily visit during regular hours, those who prefer audiobooks, and readers who enjoy carrying multiple titles on one device.
For Delaware County residents with a library card, an enormous collection of reading and listening possibilities is already available. All it takes is a few clicks to open the door. More information is available through the Delaware County District Library’s Digital Books & More page.
