How to return OverDrive e-books early

A frequent question we receive via our “Ask the Librarian” service is “How do I return my OverDrive e-books early?” Here are some helpful tips!

If you read OverDrive e-books in your browser, here is how to return them early:

1.       Sign in to OverDrive.

2.       Tap on the Person icon to access your Bookshelf.

3.       Tap on Return Title.

See below for the instructions on to return Overdrive e-books from the most popular devices:

Android, Nook

Returning an EPUB E-book  or OverDrive MP3 Audiobook Early:

  1. Open the OverDrive App.
  2. From your in-app bookshelf, tap and hold a title to display the return options. (If you are using an older version of the app, tap the + next to a book, then tap Return/Delete to show return options.)
  3. You can Return a book to the library, which also deletes it from your device, or you can Delete a book from your device, but  you will still have it checked out to your library account.Tap on Return and then Delete. 

iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad

Returning an EPUB E-book  or OverDrive MP3 Audiobook Early:

  1. Open the OverDrive App.
  2. On  your bookshelf, tap and hold your finger down on the book cover until an option bar pops up.
  3. You can Return a book to the library, which also deletes it from your device, or you can Delete a book from your device, but  you will still have it checked out to your library account.

Kindle devices, Kindle app

  1. Visit Manage Your Kindle on your Amazon account page.
  2. Next to the book that you want to return, click Actions, and then select Return This Book.

If you read OverDrive e-books on your computer with Adobe Digital Editions, or use ADE to load them to your Kobo, Nook Simple Touch or Sony e-reader:

  1. On your computer, open Adobe Digital Editions (ADE).
  2. Click on the Library View icon to display your library.
  3. Under Bookshelves, choose the title you would like to return
  4. Click on the title icon, and an Item Options arrow will appear in the upper left-hand corner of the book.
  5. Click on the Item Options arrow and choose Return Borrowed Item.
  6. Click Return to verify that you want to return the e-book.
Shandra B. | Fri, May 23, 2014
adults, 50+, mcl blogs

Comments

I can return off my bookshelf but still shows on my account. Very frustrating. Unable to figure why. No one to talk to about it.
My bookshelf shows only 1 book has been borrowed. I can't borrow any more books because I am told I already have 5 books out, the limit. How to return the 4 books I apparently have, but can't access.
I download audiobooks for walking. I have read all my titles but not matter which method I try they will not return. I download them via Overdrive then I transfer them to my iPod. I followed all the steps given but they still remain. I had a book on hold and now it's gone because I had too many books borrowed but I didn't. I'd read them all but couldn't return them now I've lost my hold book.
your directions above for returning an audiobook early after downloading to an ipod DO NOT WORK. This is a very poorly conceived system and not worthy of MultCoLib investing any further money in it!
The above instructions are for Overdrive e-books, not audiobooks. Please use Overdrive help, or contact the library for help with audiobooks.
Terrible App. No way to return books. Help is useless. Dump this trash and get something that works.

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