eBooks & eAudiobooks FAQs

  • General Questions

    San Diego County Library has more than 135,000 free eBooks and audiobooks - including a kids' collection - available through the Libby app from Overdrive. Read or listen on your Nook, Kindle, tablet, mobile phone, and other compatible devices. Materials are automatically "returned" to the library - no late fees!

    Additional titles are available via the Palace Project App in partnership with the California State Library and Lyrasis.

    SDCL’s primary collection is available through the Libby app. Use Libby for access to a broad range of titles and genres. The Palace app contains selected titles not available through Libby. Search Palace when you can’t find what you want in Libby.

  • Libby

    Visit Getting Started for detailed instructions. Scroll to the bottom of the link to get device-specific help.

    With Libby, you can borrow free eBooks and eAudiobooks on your tablet, phone, or compatible device.

    Customers may have a total of 25 items checked out from Libby at one time.

    Items may be checked out for 7, 14, or 21 days.

    The renew option becomes available three days before a title expires. If the title has holds, it cannot be renewed, but you may request it again.

    If you were issued a new library card number and need to transfer your checkouts and holds to your new account, please contact Customer Support. Please include your new library card number, old library card number, and current email address.

    Publishers generally sell their digital titles by the copy and they can only be checked out to one person at a time (the way physical books are sold). SDCL monitors the number of customer requests on each title so that additional copies can be purchased as needed. SDCL is able to offer select titles with unlimited access for a period of time for programs including Books of the Month and One Book, One San Diego. 

    Please visit the Troubleshooting Guide, or contact Customer Support for assistance.

    Some SDCL branches provide hands-on workshops for a variety of ereaders and mobile devices. Please contact your local branch for information.

  • The Palace Project

    There are no limits on checkouts for content purchased by the California State Library from Biblioboard and the Palace Marketplace.

    21 days 

    If an item is not on hold for another patron when it expires, you can borrow and download it again. 

    Update your library card and PIN in the Palace Project app settings, under the Libraries tab.

    Depending on the checkout rules set by the publisher and the number of copies purchased, customers may need to place a reservation. When your hold is ready for checkout, you can download it from the reservations section of the Palace Project app.  

    Please contact Customer Support for assistance.