FAQs and Help Guides

Getting started with digital media

New to the world of OPL's digital collection? Here are some guides.

Magazines

Ebooks and audiobooks

Device guides

You can download and read our collection of eBooks and audiobooks on your computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet, or eReader. These device guides can help you.

Android smartphone or tablet (includes Amazon Fire tablets, NOOK tablets, and Kobo tablets)

iOS Devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch)

eInk eReaders (such as the older Kobos, Kobo Glo or Aura HD)

Mac computer

Windows computer

Need additional help?

OverDrive help

Cantook Station

Additional assistance

In-person help

item format
Magazines - Downloadable

Getting started with cloudLibrary using Android

You can use the cloudLibrary app to get express eBooks and audiobooks on your Android device

Step 1

Install cloudLibrary from Google Play

Step 2

Open the cloudLibrary app. You will first get a welcome screen. Tap anywhere to continue. Next, it will first ask you to select a Country. Make sure that Canada (CA) is selected. Tap on Ontario and then tap on Ottawa Public Library from the list of libraries.

Step 3

Enter your library card / PIN and tap on Login. By continuing you are agreeing to cloudLibrary’s terms of use.

Step 4

Since holds are not allowed on the entire cloudLibrary collection, we suggest that you use the filter option. To display only titles that are available, tap on the top left hand corner of the app. Next, tap on Filters, then on the box beside Available Now.

Getting Started with cloudLibrary for Windows and Kobo

With a Windows computer, you can borrow and enjoy eBooks and audiobooks from cloudLibrary’s website.

Step 1

Visit the cloudLibrary page at: https://ebook.yourcloudlibrary.com/library/ottawapl/

Step 2

Click on Login and enter your library card and PIN

Step 3

Our Express collection does not allow for holds. To see what titles are available, click on Filters, and choose Available Now.

Step 4

Choose an available title and click on Borrow.

Step 5

Click on Read or Listen. The title will open in your web browser. To view or return checked out titles, click on My Books

To transfer titles to a Kobo

Please follow these instructions for transferring express eBooks to a Kobo eReader

How do I return an eBook?

Please note that you can only have 2 Express eBooks checked out at a time. To return an eBook click on My Books, List View, and then Return.

I accidentally accepted the cloudLibrary ID instead of installing my personal Adobe Digital Editions ID.

For Windows 7 Go to the Start menu. Search %appdata% This should pull up a list of folders. Delete the cloudLibrary folder (basically just its cache, it is also where it stores an Adobe ID for DRM purposes). The next time you check out a book in the cloudLibrary and open it, the cloudLibrary will use whatever Adobe ID your Adobe Digital Editions is authorized with. If you do not have ADE, it will ask if you wish to use the system-generated ID or to enter your own.

CloudLibrary installation & account FAQ http://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/index.php/en-us/support/installation-account

Getting started with cloudLibrary using iPhone/iPad

You can use the cloudLibrary app to get express eBooks and audiobooks on your Apple device

Step 1

Download cloudLibrary from the app store.

Step 2

Open the cloudLibrary app. You will first get a welcome screen. Tap anywhere to continue. Next, it will ask you to select a Country. Make sure that Canada (CA) is selected. Tap on Ontario and then tap on Ottawa Public Library from the list of libraries.

Step 3

Enter your library card / PIN and tap on Login. By continuing you are agreeing to cloudLibrary’s terms of use.

Step 4

Since holds are not allowed on any title in this collection, we suggest that you use the filter option. To display available titles, tap on the three lines at top left hand corner of the app. Next, tap on Filters, then on Available Now.

Getting Started with cloudLibrary for Mac

With a Mac computer, you can borrow and enjoy eBooks and audiobooks from cloudLibrary’s website.

Step 1

Visit our page at: https://ebook.yourcloudlibrary.com/library/ottawapl/

Step 2

Click on Login and enter your library card and PIN

Step 3

Our Express collection does not allow for holds. To see what titles are available, click on Filters, and choose Available Now.

Step 4

Choose an available title and click on Borrow.

Step 5

Click on Read or Listen. The title will open in your web browser. To view or return your checked out titles, click on My Books

To transfer titles to a Kobo

Download the software from http://yourcloudlibrary.com. CloudLibrary recommends that you download their software while using Safari. CloudLibrary is supported for Mac OS 6 and newer operating systems so if you’re unsure of your version, please click on the apple icon in the top left corner and then click on About this Mac.

Once installed, cloudLibrary will prompt you for your location as well as your Library Card number and PIN. You must agree to their legal terms before continuing.

If you have a pre-existing Adobe ID (that you use for Overdrive) please enter it here so that you can download both Overdrive and cloudLibrary titles.

Example 1, CloudLibrary detects your Adobe ID

Example 2, If CloudLibrary doesn’t detect your Adobe ID and you use or plan on using Overdrive, choose ‘Explicitly provide an Adobe ID’ and enter it manually. If you do not have an Adobe ID, go to Adobe’s website to create one: http://www.adobe.com/ca/solutions/ebook/digital-editions.html

Go to My Books to see checked out eBooks. If your Kobo is connected to your computer, the Transfer to Device button should appear. Click on this button.

How do I return an eBook?

Please note that you can only have 2 Express eBooks checked out at a time. To return an eBook click on My Books, List View, and then Return.

Database
Express eBooks and Audiobooks: CloudLibrary
item format
eBooks

Please note:

  • You must create a New York Times account to access. 
  • An email address is required
  • There is a daily limit on how many remote passes are available.
  • Access does not include the New York Times crossword puzzle and e-reader editions. 
  • If you get a subscription notice while browsing the site, please ignore. 

Accessing the New York Times website:

In Library Use

  • Go to https://www.nytimes.com
  • Click on 'Log In' in the top right corner
  • If you haven't created an account, click on Sign Up.  If you have already created an account, enter your email and password

Remote Access

  • Visit the OPL website and click on the link provided
  • Enter your library card and PIN
  • If you haven't created a New York Times account, click on 'Create Account'.  If you have already created an account, click on 'Log in here' and enter your email and password
  • Once activated, you will get a message that indicates when your pass expires and a link to go to NYTimes.com
  • Once you've activated your New York Times Pass, you can optionally download and install the apps for iOS, Android or Blackberry to access.  In the app, you must log in using your NYT account.

 

 

Database
New York Times
item format
Newspapers - Online

For a list of what you have access to with a library card, consult this webpage: https://biblioottawalibrary.ca/en/fees-and-loans

Note that some cards provide different limits for specific items. Please ask staff in our 33 branches or call Infoservice at 613-580-2940.

To access your online account, simply login with your Library card number or username and PIN. If it's your first-time logging in, you'll need to complete a short registration form where you'll choose an easy to remember username.

You can go to one of our 33 branches and ask branch staff for help or call Infoservice at 613-580-2940.

To change your personal information:

  • Access the Settings area of the catalogue and login to your account.
  • You can change your username, update your email address, change your branch and create a new PIN.
  • If you need to update your postal address or telephone number, visit your local Library branch with proof of your new address.

All eligible library items renew automatically prior to the due date.

If you wish, you can also renew Library materials manually in these ways: 

  • By using our online catalogue. Access your account to renew items, see what’s out on your card or monitor your requests by clicking on My Borrowing.
  • By touch-tone phone at 613-580-2535 (TeleCIRC).
  • In person at any branch.
  • Calling our central line at 613-580-2940

Library materials can be renewed except in the following circumstances:

  • There is a request on the item.
  • The maximum renewal limit on the item has been reached
  • There is an outstanding balance on your account of $25 or more.
  • Your Library card has expired.

You can renew your library card by visiting any library branch.  You will need to show your library card and pay any outstanding charges on your account before it can be renewed.

If your Library account is in good standing at the time of renewal (you owe less than $1 in fees), and you have used your card at one of 33 branches in the last 12 months, your card will be automatically renewed in our system, and you will not need to visit a branch.

When you get a Library card, you are agreeing to:

  • Follow the rules and regulations of the OPL.
  • Care for all of the materials you borrow.
  • Pay for all lost or damaged materials.
  • Tell us if your card is lost or stolen because the cardholder is responsible for any use of this card.
  • Tell us if your name, address or phone number changes.

To print documents from a chromebook, clients can upload any document(s) to OPL’s mobile printing service and print their document(s) at any branch. The cost of printing at OPL is $0.10/page.

To access the internet at a branch, you can connect to the public wireless network named oplbpo-1. After connecting to this network, you will be prompted to enter your library card number and PIN. In addition to the public wireless network, you can connect (where available) to OPL-BPO Hotspot; password: opl-bpo!.

Clients can checkout and use a chromebook (in-library use only) for 3 hours per day with a valid library card.