OverDrive is used by libraries across the country for reading ebooks and audiobooks. Through adding this platform, W&M Libraries aims to provide W&M students, faculty, and staff with seamless access to a vast array of electronic resources to support their academic pursuits and personal growth. Using the Libby app or any web browser, members of the W&M community can easily browse, borrow, and read ebooks or listen to audiobooks 24/7 on their phones, Kindles, tablets, or computers. Titles are also integrated into Primo, the library catalog, for ease of discovery.
In alignment with the library’s mission to support lifelong learning by facilitating the ongoing growth and advancement of our students, faculty, and staff, the initial launch spotlights a professional development ebook and audiobook collection. Whether users are interested in developing leadership and management capabilities, enhancing productivity, or acquiring new teaching methodologies and pedagogical approaches, these resources aim to empower W&M community members to progress their careers or take on new challenges. In addition, W&M Libraries has made several open access collections available, including University Presses, Springer Nature, Taylor & Francis, and Duke Classics titles. Although many of these titles are available through other platforms, the OverDrive/Libby platform offers additional format options such as Kindle.
Please note that titles need to be specifically purchased for availability in OverDrive, so not all ebook titles owned by W&M Libraries are available via this platform.
Web-browser:
Step 1
To access a title, click on the link in the library catalog under “View Online” that says “Overdrive” or visit https://williammary.overdrive.com/
Step 2
If you are not already logged in, you will come to the Overdrive title screen. Click the green Sign in button in the upper right corner.
Step 3
You will then be prompted to select your institution, either by searching “William & Mary” in the search bar, or, if you are on campus and have location turned on, your browser will suggest W&M as the closest library.
Selecting the library will then take you to the same OpenAthens screen used for accessing all other library resources. Select William & Mary Account.
This takes you to the CAS login screen. Enter your username and password and you are good to go!
Use the Libby app to discover and access titles in the library’s Overdrive collection.
Step 1
If you don’t already have it, download the Libby app from your device’s app store.
Step 2
If you are new to Libby, follow the prompts to find William & Mary Libraries and sign in using your W&M Credentials. If you already have Libby for another library, click on the three horizontal lines on the center bottom of the screen and select “Add Library”. Search for and select William & Mary.
Step 3
You will be then prompted to add a library card. Click Sign In With My Card.
As W&M Libraries uses centralized sign-on for all electronic resource access, you will be prompted to open a secure website. Select Next to continue. You will then be taken to the Overdrive institutional sign in screen. Select William & Mary Library from the list if available, or run a search. Sign into CAS using your W&M credentials. Once successfully logged in, you will see a virtual library card linked to your account. This will show you the total number of available loans and holds for your account.
Step 4
You are all set! Click on the library icon to browse the library's Overdrive catalog or tap the Search icon to search by title, author, or series.