Access Ebooks

The Olin College Library offers access to ebooks via several different platforms. If you're having trouble navigating our collections, please reach out to us.

Access Ebooks Through Overdrive/Libby

You can access ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines via the Overdrive or Libby app, or using your web browser if you're on a computer.

Video: Getting started with Overdrive & Libby

On your computer:

  • If you have not yet set a PIN/password for your Minuteman Library Network account, please visit this page and follow the instructions at the bottom.
  • Using your library card number and PIN/password, log in to the Overdrive site. Make sure "Minuteman Library Patrons" is selected.
  • Browse away! Note that you can access additional content in Overdrive if you sign up for a Boston Public Library ecard. Everyone in the Olin community is eligible. Ask us if you have questions.

On your phone or tablet:

  • Make sure you have set up your Minuteman Library Network PIN/password (see above).
  • Download either Overdrive or Libby in the Apple Store (iPhones, iPads) or Google Play Store (Android, Android tablets). The two apps have relatively similar functionality - try them out to see which one you prefer.
    iOS/Apple: Download Overdrive | Download Libby
    Android: Download Overdrive | Download Libby

  • When prompted to add a new library, search for "Minuteman Library Network" in Overdrive or Libby.
  • Log in with your library card number and PIN/password - and browse away!

Access Ebooks Through Library Databases

  • OlinScholar
    Search across most of Olin's online resources. Note that the Overdrive/Libby collection is searchable separately (see instructions above).
  • EBSCO Ebook Collection
    Over 150,000 eBooks across disciplines, including science, history, and literature.
  • JSTOR
    Arts and humanities database on language and literature, music, film studies, folklore, performing arts, religion, and the study of art and architecture.
  • Knovel
    Full-text of engineering reference works, including many textbooks.

Downloading Ebooks From OlinScholar

If you want to download ebooks from OlinScholar or Overdrive/Libby to your computer desktop, due to digital rights management restrictions that we also hate, you must have Adobe Digital Editions Adobe Digital Editions (not included in Olin's Creative Cloud package) installed on your device.

  1. Download here: https://www.adobe.com/solutions/ebook/digital-editions/download.html
  2. Open/run the program
  3. On the screen shown below, select "I want to authorize my computer without an ID" in the lower left corner, and then continue
  4. Download the book from Overdrive/Libby
  5. Drag the downloaded book file into the Adobe Digital Editions window. It should automatically open.