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Ebook set-up

Our ebook service provides free access to thousands of eBooks.


Our ebook supplier is BorrowBox. The service is easy to set up and provides a wide range of titles.

Compatible devices

Most ebook readers are compatible:

  • iPad and Android tablets - you'll need to connect wifi to download ebooks
  • Kindle Fire tablets - you'll need to connect wifi to download ebooks
  • e-readers - you'll need to use your own computer which is connected to the internet to download eBooks

You cannot download onto Kindle e-readers because Amazon does not support the digital rights management (DRM) on ebooks which is required by publishers who supply ebooks to libraries.

Set up on tablets and smartphones

  1. Download the BorrowBox app from the Play Store (Android) or App Store (Apple).
  2. Open the BorrowBox app.
  3. Select the library as 'Derbyshire County Council.
  4. Enter your library card number and PIN.
  5. Start borrowing and downloading ebooks.

Set up on PCs and e-readers

If you've previously accessed the library's ebooks using a PC or e-reader the process has not changed. You just need to borrow the ebooks from the BorrowBoxcatalogue.

If you're a new user, there are instructions on the BorrowBox website, you'll need to log in to BorrowBox using your library card and PIN.

Library card number and PIN

Your library card number is the 9-digit number below the barcode on your library card.

Gold Cards and b_line cards need to be activated at your local library in order to be used as library cards. You use the 9-digit number on the back of the card next the barcode.

Your PIN is the first 2 digits and the last 2 digits of your date of birth. So, if you were born on 25 October 1971, your PIN would 2571.

Help logging in

If you have any difficulties logging in or need help to use the catalogue, please contact us, email: ask.library@derbyshire.gov.uk or telephone: 01629 533444.

If you need help to use the catalogue, please see the BorrowBox help pages. You'll need to log in with your library card number and PIN.

What you can borrow

You can borrow up to 10 ebooks for up to 21 days. Reservations count as one of your 10 loans.

If the book you want is already checked out you can reserve it for free. You'll get an alert when it's available for you to download.

eBooks can now be returned early if you have finished with a title. At the end of the loan period the ebook will be deleted automatically from your device, so there are no overdues to worry about.

Classic ebooks

For free classic titles and authors published before 1923 please search and download from Project Gutenberg.