eBook FAQ

WVReads is a digital library consortium with member libraries representing many different counties throughout the state of West Virginia. The collection has many different eBook, audio book, and streaming video titles to choose from. If you would like to see something we do not have in our Overdrive collection, ask at the circulation desk for it to be ordered.

Overdrive is a digital management company that hosts and distributes the library’s electronic database of eBooks, audio books, and streaming videos.

Please check to make sure that you are entering your barcode number exactly as it is printed on the back of your library card number with no spaces. If you are entering your barcode number correctly and you are still unable to logon, please call the Upshur County Public Library at 304-473-4219, ext. 14, or email them at help@upshur.wvlibrary.info.

Yes! Most of our eBook collection is available in both ePub format and Kindle format so that they may be enjoyed across a wide range of devices. If you check a book out in Kindle format, it can also be read in the Kindle app on a variety of devices. See the appropriate instructions above.

Many eBooks contain Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection that protects the book from being shared with others, which is set by the publishers of the eBook, not the library. Your Adobe ID is used to authorize the book to your email address so that it is not locked on a single computer, but can be shared across your devices that are authorized with the same ID.

Yes! Three days before your eBook is set to expire, a renew option will appear on your bookshelf in your WV READS account screen. However, if another patron has placed a hold on the book, you will not be given an option to renew.

Yes! The process varies depending on the type of device and format of the eBook. For more instructions, please look at the tutorials on this page.

1. Our annual budget has a portion set aside to purchase electronic materials to add to the WVReads collection. However, not all publishers (particularly those available on Amazon/Audible) have made their eBook publications available to libraries.
2. Not all eBooks are published at the same time as the print edition, with many older titles not available at all.  Publishers do revisit their earlier publications periodically, but must purchase the rights to publish their earlier books in electronic format before they are available to purchase by libraries.
3. We are only purchasing a license to use the electronic materials, we do not own the content forever in most cases.  It is possible that we need to purchase a new license for that material. See the next question for more information.

We purchase eBooks just as we purchase print books: one copy at a time. Most eBook publishers prefer to sell their books this way, rather than allowing an indefinite number of downloads. Some eBook publishers also limit the number of checkouts or the amount of time the title is available for library patrons to enjoy before forcing libraries to purchase a new copy. Recent releases have the highest demand within the collection, but there are many other books to read. Try refining your search to show only those books that are available now and don’t hesitate to place a hold on the book you would like to read.