LibrariesWest provides a single shared e-audiobook service, provided by BorrowBox. E books and E newspapers are also available through the same service. 

How does it work?

• Free to use. Check out up to 10 e-audiobooks at a time
  
• Borrow e-audiobooks for up to 14 days - and return them early or renew (up to 2 times even if there is a waiting list)   
  
• Reserve an e-audiobook if it being borrowed by another customer (Note - a reservation counts as part of your loan entitlement) 
  
• Choose from around 13,000 e audio books - fiction (adult and children), biographies, history, cookery, health and lifestyle, travel and much more
  
• Download the free BorrowBox app to your tablet or smartphone - compatible with android and iOS devices, or use the website if you are using a PC or laptop. 
• No late fees - e-audiobooks expire automatically at the end of the loan period unless you have returned them early
  

Due to security restrictions and limited bandwidth on the public computers and the need to install software it is not normally possible to use the e-audiobook service in libraries. However, you can access them on your own device if the library has Wi Fi.

Access to digital content is provided by a third party supplier who delivers access to the platform and content through their own systems. Please be aware that the supplier will be the data controller for the information it collects. The supplier has servers in the US and has their own terms and conditions which you will need to read before choosing to use their service.

The Library Service is not responsible for third party content, and the information you share with the third party supplier.  

How to start borrowing - it's easy! 

 1. You can either use a web browser to access the website or download the free BorrowBox app, currently available for Android and iOS devices. When setting up the app for the first time you will need to select your library authority (e.g. Bristol, Somerset). 

2. Log on with your library membership number and PIN*. Need a PIN reminder?

3. Start browsing and check out titles straight away! 

For help or support, please try the Help section at the top of each BorrowBox site (you will need to log on) or send an email

If you have any suggestions for e-audiobooks you would like to see in the collection please email us

Information for Christchurch & Highcliffe users with Dorset library cards - once you have finished listening to your current loans, please either log out of the BorrowBox website or uninstall the app. Then reinstall the app or log back on to the website, selecting BCP - Christchurch & Poole. Enter your library membership number and PIN as usual.    

We also have a smaller collection of around 2,500 exclusive and unabriged e audio books available through the OverDrive/Libby service. 

How does it work? 

Either go to https://libbyapp.com/ (click on the large circle in the middle of the page at the bottom of the screen), click on 'Add a library' and type in 'Libraries West', and then log on with your library membership number & PIN*, or you can download the free Libby app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

* If you don't know your PIN, you can reset it easily from the LibrariesWest home page by clicking 'Log in', inputting your library membership number and then selecting 'Forgot my PIN'. This will send an automated email with reset instructions to the email address we hold on your account.  

NEW - Thousands of free eBooks and audiobooks in Ukrainian

In order to provide Ukrainian speakers with a range of free reading, listening, learning and entertainment opportunities, multimedia content provider Odilo launched a free app for both Android app and iOS app in April 2022. Available across Europe, the app includes 3000 e-books and audiobooks in a variety of genres, including 1,700 Ukrainian titles and 500 in English. There is material for both children and adults. We hope that everyone – from social workers to host families – will draw the attention of the refugees to this app. To offer them the support, pleasure or comfort of reading, learning and listening in these difficult and uncertain times.

A web version of Odilo is also available. Instructions on how to use Odilo can be found here.

Stuck for ideas on something new to read? If you have a membership card for Somerset Libraries why not try Who Else Writes Like - a free resource which guides you towards authors and titles you may not know about! Just log in with your library card number in the box on the right hand side of the screen.