eLibrary FAQs

  • General Questions

    After you've signed up for an eCard, make sure to take down the number you are provided. Once you've done that, you'll need to get a PIN. You can do that by following the instructions here. You will need a PIN to use most of our resources.

    We have a number of eBook & eAudiobook vendors. Each of them is described in our Quick Start Guide. There you will find information about apps you might need, and getting started guides.  

    If you have questions, remember that you can always contact us through our eResources email form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!

    We occasionally have technical difficulties with our eResources that make them temporarily unavailable.  If you aren't sure if the problem is with your computer/device or with our systems, you can look at our eLibrary. There is a box in the upper right side of the screen titled, "Current Technical Issues."  Any problems will be listed in that section.  

    You can report problems to us by filling in our eResources email form. 

    Yes, some of our resources will let you read on your computer.

    OverDrive

    The most popular eBook vendor, OverDrive, has an app for Windows 10, you can find it in your app store by searching for Libby.  The icon has a maroon background and features a child reading.  Libby is very easy to use, and the set up is quick and easy - just follow the instructions on screen.

    If you don't have Windows 10, you can still use Libby in the browser at www.libbyapp.com.  It works exactly the same way as the app, but you cannot download eBooks or eAudiobooks.  You can also use most OverDrive eBooks and eAudiobooks in the browser directly from aclibrary.overdrive.com, but you may find that Libby is a better experience.

    If you need to download, you can choose to download eBooks to your computer by choosing the PDF or EPUB version when you check out at aclibrary.overdrive.com. You will need to have an eReader like Adobe Digital Editions installed on your computer.  You can find instructions for doing that here.

    Finally, if you would like to read Kindle eBooks on your computer, you can check them out at the OverDrive site and send them to a Kindle app on your computer.  You can learn all about checking out Kindle books here.

    If you need help with material from other resources not listed here, or if you have any questions or problems, please don't hesitate to contact us.  

    There are a few different reasons why you might choose to use OverDrive/Libby differently.  Read the questions below and pick what's right for you.

    Need more help?

    Check out this helpful device guide from OverDrive or look at our Quick Start Guides for more info.

    If you're still not sure which app is best for you, feel free to contact us - we'd be happy to help!

    hoopla Digital has a monthly limit of 8 checkouts per library member, no matter how many items you return. Each time you borrow something, it counts toward your monthly total.

    Because hoopla charges the library per item checked out, we set a limit to stay within budget and ensure everyone can enjoy the service.

    If you find yourself reaching your monthly limit often, we encourage you to explore hoopla Digital's Bingepasses. These passes only count as one checkout or borrow.

    The only eBooks that can be downloaded through the Library's catalog at this time are from OverDrive.

    If you check out an eBook or eAudiobook through the library catalog, do not download the EPUB, PDF, or MP3 file from the browser.  You will need to move to the Libby app or the OverDrive Browser Reader to read and listen. You can find detailed instructions in our Quick Start Guides.

    If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us through the eResources help email form.

  • eAudiobooks

    OverDrive is a vendor that sells eBooks, eAudiobooks, Libby Extras, and eMagazines.  Libby is OverDrive's app.  When you use Libby, you are using materials from OverDrive.

    Last May (2023), the original OverDrive app was retired in favor of Libby.  If you had the OverDrive app on your device, you can replace it with Libby.

    We have a guide to OverDrive and Libby that includes information about switching from the OverDrive app to Libby. Check it out for lots of great information about OverDrive and Libby!

    At OverDrive you can have 10 items checked out and 10 items on hold at any time.  eMagazines and Libby Extras do not count against your checkout limit. For more information about OverDrive/Libby, take a look at our Quick Start Guide.

  • eBooks

    OverDrive is a vendor that sells eBooks, eAudiobooks, Libby Extras, and eMagazines.  Libby is OverDrive's app.  When you use Libby, you are using materials from OverDrive.

    Last May (2023), the original OverDrive app was retired in favor of Libby.  If you had the OverDrive app on your device, you can replace it with Libby.

    We have a guide to OverDrive and Libby that includes information about switching from the OverDrive app to Libby. Check it out for lots of great information about OverDrive and Libby!

    At OverDrive you can have 10 items checked out and 10 items on hold at any time.  eMagazines and Libby Extras do not count against your checkout limit. For more information about OverDrive/Libby, take a look at our Quick Start Guide.

    eBooks and eAudiobooks at Libby/OverDrive are very popular, so it may seem like there's never anything to borrow when you look at the landing page.  Happily, there's more below the surface - you just have to know how to find it.  

    The quickest way to find borrowable materials in Libby is to filter for availability:

      1. Tap on "Library" in the bottom left of the screen.
      2. Tap on the little + next to "Preferences" in the band across the top middle of the screen.
      3. Tap "Availability" and choose "Available Now".  This will filter out everything that is checked out.

    You can also place holds on checked out materials.  You can see how long you'll probably have to wait by tapping the little calendar icon next to the cover. 

    Finally, please feel free to contact us at any time with questions.  We're happy to help you find just what you want!

    If you finish your Kindle eBook before it is due, you can easily return it early.

      1. In the browser, go to www.amazon.com and sign in to your account (make sure it's the same Amazon account you used to check out the book.)
      2. Move your mouse to the menu in the upper right corner labeled "Hello [your name] Accounts & Lists." When you move your cursor over it, a menu will pop up.
      3. Scroll down until you see "Your Content and Devices." Click on it.
      4. You will be directed to a list of all of the content on your Kindle.  The default list view is books arranged in chronological order from newest to oldest, so your eBook should be near the top.  
      5. Find the title you want to return.  The word "Borrowed" in orange letters will be next to the title on the right.
      6. Find the small square box to the immediate left of the title.  It has an ellipsis "..." in it.  Click on the box.
      7. A pop-up box will appear.  Find "Return this book" and click on it.  You will be asked to confirm that you wish to return the book.  Click on "Yes."
      8. A confirmation message will pop up on the screen.  Your book is returned.

    For more Kindle help, take a look at our tutorial on Managing Your Kindle eBooks.  If you still need help with this (or any other eResource question) please feel free to contact us through the email form here.

  • eMagazines & eNews

    OverDrive is a vendor that sells eBooks, eAudiobooks, Libby Extras, and eMagazines.  Libby is OverDrive's app.  When you use Libby, you are using materials from OverDrive.

    Last May (2023), the original OverDrive app was retired in favor of Libby.  If you had the OverDrive app on your device, you can replace it with Libby.

    We have a guide to OverDrive and Libby that includes information about switching from the OverDrive app to Libby. Check it out for lots of great information about OverDrive and Libby!

    There are two ways you can look at an electronic version of Consumer Reports:

      1. Read the eMagazine on Flipster. The titles of eMagazines on Flipster can be searched or browsed alphabetically.
        You can read in the browser or get the Flipster app for your iOS or Android device.  You will need your library card number to sign in.
      2. Read articles on EBSCOhost.  Full-text issues go back to 1991 but are organized by article. 

    If there is a specific article you would like to read or you would like to search across all issues, use the EBSCOhost link.  If you would like to read the most recent issue (or a recent back issue), use the Flipster link.

    If you need help or have questions, please contact us anytime. 

    Read The New York Times for free through Alameda County Library. You'll have full access to News, Games (Wordle, Crossword, and more), Cooking, and more.

    You must use our special access link. You currently can't use nytimes.com directly for free access, even inside the library.

    How to Claim Your Pass

    1. Access Link: Click this access link or select it on our NYTimes eResource pages (Inside the Library or At Home and On the Move).    
      • In the Library: If you use Library Wi-Fi or computers, no library card or PIN is needed.
      • Outside the Library: If you are at home or on the move, you need to enter your library card number and PIN when prompted.
    2. Log in or Create Account: Use your existing NYTimes account or create one for free using your email and a password.
    3. Claim Your 72-hour Pass: A confirmation screen will show when your pass expires. After 72 hours, you can use the same access link to renew.

    Claiming Your Pass: What to Expect

    • Confirmation Page: Shows your pass expiration date.
    • Renewal Reminder: You'll have an option to set a reminder to renew.
    • Get Started Button: Select the "Get Started" button to continue.
    • Newsletter and Game Alerts: Set your preferences for email newsletters and game alerts. Some will be pre-selected, so you have to uncheck them if you don't want them. You can unsubscribe later though.
    • Mobile App or Browser: Download the iOS or Android app, or read directly in your browser.

    Renewing Your Pass

    To renew your pass after 72 hours, simply return to the access link and repeat the steps above. You can renew as often as you like. If you are logged into your NYTimes account during those 72-hours, you can go to nytimes.com or use the app directly. You only need to use the access link to renew your pass.

    It depends on where you are:

    • At the library: You can access the Washington Post right away—no login or library card needed.
    • At home or on the go: You'll need to check out a renewable 7-day pass using your library card, then sign in with a Washington Post account.

    Not sure how to start? Our quick tutorial will walk you through the steps.

    We have a number of ways you can read eMagazines and eNews. Each of these resources has different content, so you might want to take a look at all of them to find your favorites.

    News

    • PressReader: PressReader has hundreds of newspapers and eMagazines to choose from.  It's easy to use in your browser, or you can get the app from your app store.  Check out our Getting Started tutorial and begin exploring eMagazines and News from around the world and in dozens of languages.
    • The New York Times Online: Start with the the FAQ to get a New York Times Pass, which gives you complimentary access to NYTimes.com and NYT apps.
    • The Argus: Find full-text articles on local news, issues, events, people, and much more from current and archived issues of The Argus. Covers 2001-Present.
    • East Bay Times: Explore current and archived issues of The East Bay Times with full-color newspaper pages and individual articles, as well as content only published online. Coverage from 2016 through current.
    • Access World News: Find current and archived articles on issues, events, people, government and more with the world's largest collection of full-text news sources. Includes local news, editorials, announcements, and other sections from more than 10,000 sources.

    eMagazines

    • PressReader: PressReader (see above) has hundreds of magazines from around the world and in dozens of languages.  
    • OverDrive: OverDrive offers dozens of your favorite eMagazines including The Economist and Newsweek. All you need is your library card number and PIN.
    • Flipster: Flipster offers more of your favorite magazines including Consumer Reports and People.
    • hoopla Digital: hoopla Digital now has eMagazines you can read by checking out a Bingepass! 

    More

    For even more, check out our complete collection of eMagazines and eNews including articles from EBSCOhost and Gale Cengage.

    Need help?

    Contact us anytime!  You might also find our Quick Start Guides helpful.

    Getting started with PressReader is pretty easy - just follow the instructions in this short tutorial.

    If you need help or have questions, please feel free to contact us at any time.  We love answering your questions!

  • eCollections

    Gale Presents: Udemy is somewhat different from most of our eResources in that there are a number of limitations on its use. Please take a look at our Quick Start Guide for help. Scroll down to the section titled Troubleshooting if you are getting a message indicating "Suspicious Activity."

    There are currently two eResources that are not compatible with the eCard:

    In addition, there are some eResources that are only available inside our libraries.

    We are working to expand access to all of our resources. We will update this list as things change.

    On a Desktop/Laptop:

    1. Access Rosetta Stone from Our Site: Use Alameda County Library's direct link on our Rosetta Stone page or the link in our our eLibrary.
    2. Log In: If you aren't using a library computer or library Wi-Fi, enter your library card number and PIN.
    3. Select the Service: After a successful login, choose Rosetta Stone Library Solution from the list of EBSCO products.
    4. Create or Sign In to Your Rosetta Stone Account: Use your email and password. First-time users will need to create an account.
    5. Choose a Language: Select your language.
    6. Launch the Program: Select Launch Rosetta Stone Foundations and follow the prompts to get started.

    On a Mobile Device (iOS, Android, Kindle Fire):

    • First-Time Setup (Recommended for New Users)  
      1. Install the App: Download the Rosetta Stone app—but don't open it yet.
      2. Log In via Browser: On your mobile browser, go to Rosetta Stone through our website and follow steps 1–6 above.
      3. Open the App When Prompted: When asked, "Open this page in 'Rosetta Stone'?", select Open. This links your session to the app.
      4. Start Learning: You're now logged in. The app will remember your credentials for next time.
    • Future Logins (Or If You Already Set Up Your Account)  
      1. Open the App and tap Log In.
      2. Select Account Type: Choose Work or School.
      3. Enter Credentials: Use the email and password you created earlier.
      4. Enter Workspace ID: Type in s8900657.

    Tips:

    • New Users: Follow the first-time setup for the easiest start.
    • Returning Users: Use the future logins steps if you're logged out. Both methods lead to the same learning experience.

    Rosetta Stone offers the courses in the following thirty languages:

    Arabic
    Chinese (Mandarin)
    Dari
    Dutch
    English (American)
    English (British)
    Filipino (Tagalog)
    French
    German
    Greek
    Hebrew
    Hindi
    Indonesian
    Irish
    Italian
    Japanese
    Korean
    Latin
    Pashto
    Persian (Farsi)
    Polish
    Portuguese (Brazil)
    Russian
    Spanish (Latin America)
    Spanish (Spain)
    Swahili
    Swedish
    Turkish
    Urdu
    Vietnamese

    Yes, you can use the LearningExpress Library app!  

    The LearningExpress native mobile app is available on the iOS and Android platforms for both phones and tablets, and are downloadable from iTunes and the Google Play Store. Links to both can be found in the LearningExpress home page footer.

    You will need to create an account for LearningExpress Library on the site before you can log in to the app. 

    Please note that some of the resources available in the app are different from those available on the full site:
    The mobile app includes all the same flashcards, eBooks, and articles that are available on the online platform. It also includes all multiple-choice only practice tests and skills builders. All multiple-choice only practice tests and skill builders on the online platform share identical content and test formats with their mobile counterparts. For many important tests whose online counterparts include item types other than multiple-choice (like the GED® Test), there are mobile-only, multiple-choice versions available in the application. If a practice test is a pared-down mobile-only version, this is indicated in the mobile test’s instructions. The mobile versions of these practice tests are very helpful preparation, but for a complete practice experience, including different item types and diagnostic scoring, users should take the full versions available to them on the online platform.

    Tutorials, computer courses, and Job & Career Accelerator tools are not currently available in the mobile application.  The mobile app does not offer diagnostic scoring. Each completed test in the app reports an overall test score as a percentage, as well as the number of questions the user answered correctly, incorrectly, or skipped.

    Need help! Feel free to contact us anytime!  You might also find our Quick Start Guides helpful.

    Discover & Go is a program your library provides that offers free and low-cost passes for museums, science centers, zoos, theatres, and other cultural destinations. You must meet your library's minimum age requirement and live within your library's service area to use the Discover & Go Service.

    Check out our Quick Start Guide to Discover & Go for detailed information.

    LinkedIn Learning for Libraries is somewhat different from the commercial version of the product in that library users do not provide their name or email address, and cannot connect their learning to LinkedIn.  For this reason, there is no way for the LinkedIn Learning system to add a name to a completion certificate. 

    You can download copies of your completion certificates, but they will always be anonymous.  Unfortunately, We do not have a way to change these certificates. 

    During the pandemic, the vendor that provides Ancestry Library to us gave us (and many other libraries) special permission to offer the product at home since users could not come to the library.  Now that our library buildings are open again, they are going back to the original model, which only allows on-site (inside our library buildings) use.  

    At this time, remote access is not available to purchase. 

  • Streaming Video

    Unfortunately, we are no longer able to offer Acorn TV as of May 14, 2021.  You can find some Acorn TV content at hoopla Digital.  

    If you love Acorn TV, check out our list of similar content from hoopla Digital.