OverDrive is a distribution platform through which users of our library can download popular eBooks and audiobooks.  From our personalized Yale University OverDrive site, we offer access to a variety of fiction and non-fiction titles in many different formats. 

NOTE: While OverDrive is a resource for ebooks, it does not hold many Art & Architecture titles in its collection.  This resource is provided to you by Yale University Libraries.  You will need your Yale NetID and password to access this resource.

You can check out and download the following types of digital materials in Overdrive …

• Adobe® EPUB eBooks
• OverDrive WMA Audiobooks
• OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks

To access these digital materials you need…

• A valid Yale NetID
• Internet access
• A computer or device that meets the system requirements for the type(s) of digital materials you wish to check out
• Free software for the computer or device on which you wish to use the materials available at this site

Step 1 - Download and install free software 

To download Adobe eBooks, you need Adobe® Digital Editions.

To download and install Adobe Digital Editions, click here.

To download OverDrive titles, you need OverDrive Media Console™. OverDrive Media Console is available for…

• Android v1.5 (or newer)
• BlackBerry v4.5 (or newer)
• iPhone® OS v3.1.3 (or newer)
• Mac OS® v10.4.9 (or newer)
• Windows® 98 SE (or newer)
• Windows Mobile® 5 and 6

To download and install OverDrive Media Console, click here.

Step 2 - Activate the software

After you have installed the software that you downloaded, you need to take steps to activate the software before downloading digital materials.

Adobe Digital Editions requires activation.

Adobe Digital Editions can be activated anonymously or by using an Adobe ID. Anonymous activation allows you to download and read DRM-protected eBooks on a single computer only. Activating using an Adobe ID allows you to download and read DRM-protected eBooks on multiple computers and transfer them to supported eBook devices.

• For more information on activating Adobe Digital Editions, click here

OverDrive Media Console for Windows requires a security upgrade.

OverDrive Media Console for Windows utilizes Windows Media® Player 9 Series (or newer) to play DRM-protected files. The first time that Windows Media Player attempts to open a DRM-protected file, it will alert you that a security upgrade must be performed before the file can be opened. The upgrade takes just a few moments.  Only OverDrive Media Console for Windows requires a security upgrade.  All other versions of OverDrive Media Console do not require security upgrades.

• OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks do not require the Windows Media Player Security Upgrade

Step 3 - Check out, download, and enjoy

Browse or search this site for downloadable materials. When you locate a title of interest, add it to the bookbag and check out the title. Once you have checked out a title, a download page is displayed. Click the 'Download' link to start the download. Once the download is complete, open and enjoy the title. You will never accrue late fees with titles you download from this website. At the end of the loan period, titles will expire and be automatically 'returned' to the library. At this time, you can delete the expired file(s) from your computer.

Explore your options…

• Search for digital materials using a variety of criteria on the advanced search page.
• Take digital materials with you on-the-go. Many audio titles can be burned to CD, and most audio titles can be transferred to supported portable devices.
• If you come across a title that you are interested in checking out, you can add it to your 'Wish List'.
• If a desired title is not available, you can place it on hold.