Published: 12 Dec 2018

Timaru District Libraries has launched a new service that has added thousands of e-books and e-audiobooks to their collection.

The library has joined a consortium of South Island public libraries to bring OverDrive to our community.

OverDrive is a collection of over 9,000 e-Book and 1,300 e-Audiobook titles including fiction and non-fiction for Adults, Teens and Children. Access is free for library members - all you need is your library card number and your password / pin.

OverDrive also has an easy to use app called Libby which you can download for iOS, Android and Windows. You can borrow up to five items at a time and for up to 21 days.

Timaru Libraries Manager Adele Hewlett said the addition of this service nearly doubles the number of items available to library members.

“OverDrive is one of the biggest e-library providers in the world and by bringing it to Timaru we’ve nearly doubled the selection of titles available to our members.

“As we go into the holiday season it means that any member can easily grab an e-book or an audio book anywhere and anytime they have an internet connection, from Reacher on the beach to Picoult by the pool.

“With the addition of OverDrive, Timaru District Libraries members now have access to the one of the biggest collections of e-resources anywhere in the country.

“As a library the collection of physical items we have available to Timaru District residents is incredibly important, but our investments in resources like OverDrive, Press Reader, Borrow Box and Kanopy are vital to ensure we remain a relevant part of this digital world.”

OverDrive can be accessed via timarudistrictlibraries.co.nz or you can download the Libby app on your smartphone or tablet and sign up with your library card number and PIN.

Library staff are happy to help anyone to get set up on the service, or if you’re not a member you can now join online at by clicking ‘Join the Library’ at timarudistrictlibraries.co.nz

Last updated: 24 Feb 2021