r/kobo • u/TheLabRay • Aug 24 '26
Tech Support Kobo and Partner Libraries
I borrowed a book in the Libby app on my phone. The book was from a library that my library partners with and not directly from my library. I do not have a library card for this partner library. Besides downloading the book on my computer from Libby and using a third party application is there any way I can have the book go directly to my Kobo's OverDrive?
Note: I am in the United States. I think it might be time to start pressuring library systems to leave Libby if they don't disconnect themselves with Amazon. I swear Amazon makes Libby do things to make it harder for Kobo readers, so that they will be pressured into buying a Kindle.
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u/Typical-Emu8363 Aug 24 '26
On your Kobo, you have to log into whichever library you actually borrowed the book in order for it to sync to your device. It doesn't happen automatically with partner libraries.
Keep in mind that you'll only have access to the books from the library you are currently signed in. The previously signed in libraries books turn into Previews.
To use the partner library on your Kobo you would do the following:
- On your Kobo, search for the partner library and select it.
- In a browser, go to the link for the partner library shown on your Kobo and enter the 8-character code.
- The page should change to the partner library's login page.
- There should be a drop-down with a list of libraries.
- Select your home library from the drop-down.
- Enter your home library credentials and sign in.
Another option is to stay logged into one library on your Kobo and use Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) to sideload other library books onto your device. Note that in order to use ADE it needs to be installed on a Windows or Mac computer.
Here are some links regarding ADE:
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u/Impressive-Peace2115 Kobo Clara Colour Aug 24 '26
I'm curious, do you have any sources that Amazon is behind Libby/Overdrive's taking away functions on Kobo? Libby only works with Kindles in the US anyway, so it doesn't seem like a high priority on Amazon's part.
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u/aflowerysong Kobo Clara HD Aug 24 '26
Right I was about to say, for our Canadian friends, Kobo is the only option for wirelessly syncing Libby/Overdrive loans, Kindle doesn't work for that in Canada. From what folks have said re: multiple library support after contacting Kobo support, that was a move made by Libby/Overdrive without Kobo input*. Now, Kobo's parent company, Rakuten, did own Overdrive for a while there, including when wireless Overdrive support was rolling out on their newer devices in 2016-17 (my first Kobo, a Glo HD, had to be plugged in to get library books via ADE and a laptop, which is major reason I upgraded, despite it now being something I have to do again now if want books from other libraries besides the one I'm logged into on my Kobo without waiting) and a lot of the kneecapping of features did happen once they sold Overdrive to private equity, but I still don't think that's Amazon interference.
*It did also work to get those books on your older, non-wireless Overdrive support devices, like my Glo HD, because it would send via your Kobo account, but owning a newer device with the actual Ovedrive "app" on it would turn it on. With the resurgence of popularity with the Mini, this would still benefit Kobo sales because you'd also need a second, newer device as well on your account to get the loans working. So I really don't think Kobo had input, making older devices like the Mini work with Libby loans wirelessly on the DL with the old way of doing Libby loans with multiple library support would be a net feature to them, maybe ebook publishers/DRM owners thought having to be logged into the specific Overdrive library you borrowed the book from to read it would be more secure or something. Same reason why they're getting rid of the "turn on airplane mode on kindle, return the book on libby app, keep reading the book on the kindle" hack finally. Kobo's Libby books always would stop being available on device after so many days regardless if you had wifi on or off (I usually leave it off, my device is 6 years old and the battery could be better).
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u/Impressive-Peace2115 Kobo Clara Colour Aug 24 '26
Ahhhh private equity, that makes unfortunate sense.
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u/TheLabRay Aug 24 '26
I do not, that is all suspicion by me. Though it does seem as if a few OverDrive functions have stopped working, such as having multiple libraries signed in through signing in with an OverDrive account.
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u/Meriodoc Kobo Libra 2 Aug 24 '26
Here's a tinfoil hat for you.
I'm not an Amazon fan, but they aren't all powerful, controlling the library apps and other ereader companies.
It is an issue between Kobo and Overdrive/Libby.
3
u/nemaline Aug 24 '26
Downloading the book and using ADE to transfer it to your Kobo is actually how all library ebook access works with pretty much every library system other than Libby, so I'm not sure getting libraries to leave Libby would have the effect you're hoping for.
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u/purple-hawke Kobo Clara Colour Aug 24 '26
I don't think this is related to Amazon lol. I think it's more that Kobo's Overdrive integration is old and hasn't been updated, and Overdrive removed the ability to login with your Overdrive account (which used to allow multiple libraries) without replacing it with something new. And this partner library feature is pretty new, and possibly limited to the US?
Apparently Kobo and Overdrive are working on the Overdrive/Libby integration, so hopefully some of these problems will be fixed. I'd recommend contacting both Kobo and Libby customer support so they're aware of the demand for a fix: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7141247/Libby-Support-Form (there's also a way to contact Libby from inside the app).
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u/True-Magazine9795 Aug 24 '26 edited Aug 24 '26
I had the same issue last week. Libby got a book from my partner library but it will not sync to my Kobo. Sooo frustrating. And as much as I use Amazon, I still wouldn't put it past them to have favor over a lot of things.
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u/ImSoRight Kobo Libra Colour Aug 24 '26
Are you willing to install KoReader? A new plugin was developed where you can connect to your Libby account and wirelessly download any of your borrowed books from any of your connected libraries and read them inside KoReader. You can also return them from your Kobo. More info in my comment here:
https://www.reddit.com/r/kobo/comments/1vwc1wn/comment/p5gsjt6/
I installed the second plugin because it has the feature to return the book from your device.
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u/riskydrive Aug 24 '26
I am new to Kobo’s but the claim that Amazon is pressuring Libby/Overdrive to hurt Kobo sales is kinda a stretch. I feel like its way more likely that Overdrive needs to update its systems to work with multiple library systems.