As we heed advice to stay home and practice social distancing, more and more patrons of The New York Public Library are accessing e-books and audio books with their library cards. Excellent! But even though these books are digital, the Library doesn't have unlimited access to them—they are a shared resource just like our physical books. If you find an e-book or audio book in the catalog (or through SimplyE or Overdrive) and all the available copies are "checked out," you can put a hold on it just as you would a physical book. And, conveniently, when you check one out, it is automatically returned when your lending period has concluded. If you are finished before your lending period is up, please "return" the book so that other readers (or listeners) can use it sooner.

It's easy to return an e-book or audiobook. Here's how:

SimplyE

If you're using the SimplyE app, locate the book you're ready to return under My Books, tap on the book cover to access the detail page, and then tap on the "Return" button. 

Overdrive

If you're using the Overdrive app, locate your book under Loans and tap the "Return" icon. Find more info about returning Overdrive materials on Kindle, Android, Chromebooks and more here.

Libby

If you're using the Libby app, tap "Your Loans," then "Manage Loan," then "Return Early".

Cloud Library

If you're using the Cloud Library app, tap "My Books" at the bottom of your screen and tap the  red "Return" button.

Read, return, repeat...read, return, repeat!