FAQs

What is Libby and How Does That Differ From Overdrive?

Libby is the new app from Overdrive. Its features and benefits include: ease of use, no Adobe ID required, faster performance, powerful search with customizable browsing options, and simplified download settings. 

Currently, Overdrive is supporting both their old app (known as just the “Overdrive app”) and Libby. Both Libby and the OverDrive app offer the same content from your library. Regardless of which app you use, the Overdrive website is the same.

Check out the Meet Libby App page for more details!

When I Go to the Overdrive Website, I Can’t See Any Magazines. Where Are They?

You must be logged in with your library card in order to see the magazines in our collection.

What Happens When My eBook or Audiobook is Due? How Do I Return It to the Library?

When your eBook or audiobook is due, it is immediately returned to the library. You don't have to worry about returning it or any late fees. You can return your item early if you are finished with it; this will allow other patrons to check out and enjoy the item. To return an item early, please refer to the steps on this page for Overdrive (app or website) or on this help page for Libby.

If I Place a Hold on an eBook or Audiobook, How Will I Know When It's Available?

OverDrive will email you when the title on hold becomes available. Alternatively, if you are using Libby, you can turn on push notifications to alert you when a hold is available for you. 

Will Overdrive Automatically Checkout the Next Issue of a Magazine for Me?

Automatic checkout is not a feature in Overdrive, so you will need to check out any magazine issues you would like to read. 

That being said, in Libby, you can add a "smart tag" to a magazine that will then send you notifications when future issues become available. 

You can learn more about smart tags in Libby on this help page. 

Do Magazine Checkouts Count Against My Checkout Limit?

No, magazine checkouts will not count against your checkout limit.

Why Can't I Find the eBook or Audiobook I Am Looking for on OverDrive/Libby?

CADL strives to buy the titles that you want to read. That is not always possible due to the publisher restrictions. If we do not have a title that you are looking for, you can always suggest a purchase. We will be happy to consider purchasing a title for you if it is available.

How Do I Find Older Issues of Magazines?

First find the current issue of that magazine. Links to past issues are located on the details page of the most recent issue.

Why Do I Have to Put a Hold on an eBook or Audiobook? It's Online, Can't You Just Make Another?

CADL purchases a license for each copy of an eBook or audiobook that we own. The eBook license works like a physical book - only one person can borrow a copy at a time. We do buy more copies based on demand, so make sure to place a hold if you are waiting for a title.

What If I Selected the Wrong eBook Format?

If you selected the wrong format of a title, you will need to return it and check the item out again in the correct format. If you are unable to return it, please fill out our Contact Us form.

Leave a detailed message about which title you would like returned, including the title/author, as well as your contact information and library card number. You will need to borrow or place a hold on the item again after it has been returned.

My Library Card Has Been Replaced. Can I Still Use My OverDrive Account?

If you have replaced your library card, please let your branch know that you are using OverDrive eBooks and audiobooks immediately. Your OverDrive account is connected to your card number. When your card number changes, CADL must notify OverDrive in order to transfer your checked out titles and holds.

If you are using Libby, you will need to remove your old card number and add your new one. You can find directions for removing at card on this help page. 

I'm Getting a Strange Error Message. What Do I Do?

If you are getting a strange error message at any time while using Overdrive/Libby, you may find a quick solution by searching the error at help.overdrive.com or help.libbyapp.com.

I Am Receiving the Error Message, "Our Daily Lending Limit Has Been Reached. Please Continue to Browse, Add to Favorites, And Come Back Tomorrow." What Does That Mean?

Capital Area District Libraries has placed daily usage caps on the hoopla service to moderate our allotted monthly allowance for hoopla use. Once the daily limit has been reached, patrons will not be able to check anything else out until the daily cap resets at midnight. This does not mean that you've lost your checkouts for the month. Please try to check-out the title again tomorrow.

How Do I Place a Hold on an Item From Hoopla?

You do not have to place a hold on an item from hoopla. Hoopla allows for simultaneous use, so every item is always available to you.

Does Returning a Title Early Affect My Play Credits for the Month?

No, returning an item does not impact your number of checkouts for the month.

Can I Borrow a TV Show's Entire Season?

TV shows are downloaded by episode rather than by season. You can download an entire season, but it would have to be done one episode at a time. You may go through your allotted downloads for a month if you are trying to go through a TV season.

Can I Borrow an Entire Music Album?

Music albums are downloaded by the album rather than by the song. You download an entire album at a time.

How Do I Report a Problem on a Title From Hoopla That's Not Working?

When you are using hoopla on a computer: there is a button that says “Problem?” under the play options (click the arrow to the right of the cover image to toggle the full options menu if it’s hidden). Click this to report an issue.

When you have a title open in the hoopla app: scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the link that says “Having problems with this title? Let us know!” to launch a contact form to report the issue.

What Ways Can I View Kanopy?

Kanopy is available through the web browser on your computer via our Digital Downloads page, or by clicking here for CADL’s Kanopy site. Please view this webpage for supported desktop browsers and systems.

You can also view Kanopy films with your computer connected to your TV with an HDMI cord. For more info on that process, please see these directions: Kanopy via HDMI.

You may also be interested in these viewing options:

Kanopy on Chromcast

Kanopy for Mobile or Tablet Apps

Kanopy on Apple TV

Kanopy on Roku

How Do Checkouts Work in Kanopy?

Films in Kanopy are checked-out once you hit play on a film, and have the film fully load and start playing. You may then access the film as many times as you want for 72 hours.

What If I Don’t Finish My Movie Within 72 Hours?

As long as you begin the film while the green “Continue” button is active, you can finish the film even if you pass the 72 hour mark. If you come back to finish it after the viewing period has expired, you can use another play credit to check out the movie again. For quick access, you can find it listed under “Recently Viewed”.

How Do I Place a Hold on an Item From Kanopy?

You do not have to place a hold on a film from Kanopy. Kanopy allows for simultaneous use, so every film is always available to you.

Does Kanopy Use Mobile Data?

Kanopy is a streaming service and so will use cellular mobile data if you are not connected to Wi-Fi. In the Settings menu of the app, there are two ways to reduce your mobile data consumption while using Kanopy.

Cellular Data: Turn the slider to “Off” so that Kanopy will only play when connected to the internet via a Wi-Fi connection.

Video Quality: Reduce the amount of mobile data consumed by setting the “Video Quality” to “Basic”. This will allow Kanopy to play over a mobile data connection but will consume cellular mobile data at a lesser rate.  

How Do I Report a Problem on a Film From Kanopy That’s Not Working?

To report an issue, please email support@kanopy.com with the name of the film and a description of the error. You can also report the film directly through the website by flicking on “More” below the film’s title, selecting “Report”, and filling out the form on the next page.

I See a Notice That My Magazines Are Now Available Through Libby. What Does This Mean?

RBdigital content has migrated to the Overdrive platform. You can now access all the RBdigital magazines through the Overdrive website, or through their award-winning Libby app. RBdigital will function until March 31^st.

What Happened to the Audiobooks in RBdigital?

The audiobooks that were in RBdigital have been migrated to the Overdrive platform. 

Learn more about accessing these great titles and many more through the Libby app from Overdrive on our Overdrive Overview page.

How Do I Switch to Libby?

Switching to Libby is easy! Download the app from your Google Play or Apple Store and follow the prompts to find your library and sign in with your library card. You can learn more about it through the instructions or tutorial located on our Overdrive Overview page.