We have some reading challenges for 2023! You can join these challenges on Beanstack.
Read books based on their challenge prompts!
Everyone has Read it Except Me!
Everyone has Read it Except Me! Kids edition
YA Reading Challenge
Using Overdrive and the Sunflower eLibrary
Overdrive, or the Sunflower eLibrary, is a great way to check out ebooks and audiobooks from the Andover Public Library.
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To begin, in your web browser, go to https://sunflowerelibrary.overdrive.com/sunflowerelibrary-andover/content
1. Click the Sign In button on the top right of the page
2. Select Andover Public Library from the pull-down menu.
3. Enter your fourteen-digit barcode number from the back of your card. Your password is your last name in lowercase letters.
4. Once you’re logged in, you will see the Sign In button is now My Account. From here, you can view your loans and holds, see which items you have on your wish list, which items you’ve rated, and change your account settings.
5. To search for an ebook, audiobook, author, or subject/genre, select the Search button. You can search by title, author, and genre! Interested in crime books? Search “Crime.” Interested in all books by John Grisham? Search “John Grisham.” Interested in Regency romance novels? Search “Regency Romance.” Give it a try!
6. The search results will show audio and ebooks both. You can filter your search by selecting the categories to the left. To search for all available titles, select Available Now under Availability. To limit your search to ebooks or audiobooks, select the appropriate item under Ebooks and Audiobooks.
If an ebook or audiobook is available, an orange bar with the words Available will show at the top of the cover image (see “The Rooster Bar” in the image below). If a book is checked out, a white bar with the words Wait List will show at the top of the cover image (see “The Reckoning” in the image below).
7. To find out more information about a book, select the book’s image or title. This will allow you to read a short description of the book, see what formats it is available in, read a sample, and either check the item out or place it on hold.
8. To place a hold on an ebook or audiobook from the search screen, select the Place a Hold button below the title. The pop-up notification will show you where you are in line for that item and how many copies the library owns. You will also see several “read-a-likes” that you might want to check out! When the item is available, you will receive an email.
9. To check out an item from the search screen, select the Borrow button below the title. Choose whether you’d like the item for 7 or 14 days and again select Borrow.
You have the option to read the ebook in the browser, download an EPUB version, or read with your Kindle. With audiobooks, you can listen in the browser or download an MP3 version.
Should you have any questions about using Overdrive and the Sunflower eLibrary, APL staff are always happy to answer questions.
Happy reading!
Passport Applications
That’s right! You can bring your passport application to the Andover Public Library and we will process it for you. No more standing in line at the post office. Here at APL your application will be processed in a matter of minutes.
APL Digital Downloads
Audiobooks, eBooks, and more!
The Andover Public Library offers OverDrive ebook and eaudiobook library services through a digital consortium with several other Kansas libraries. Andover patrons can access OverDrive or the Libby app to check out eaudiobooks, ebooks, video, and music using their Andover Library cards. Tablet or smartphone users can use the free OverDrive or Libby apps. Digital library items are returned automatically on the due date so there are never any late fees.
Not sure how to use Overdrive, the Sunflower eLibrary, or Libby? Check out our step-by-step guides for Overdrive and the Sunflower eLibrary and the Libby app.
Important notes:
• Your username is your Andover library card number. If your library card number is only 6 digits long, you will need to come to the library to update your library card.
• Your password is your last name in lowercase.
For more assistance, check out the help links in the “Getting Started” box on the right side of Sunflower’s home page.
Feel free to email contact@andoverlibrary.org with additional questions!
What you need to know about ebooks at the library:
1. Not all books are available as ebooks. – Maybe the author didn’t sell ebook rights. Maybe the publisher thinks no one will pay money for that title in ebook form. Maybe there are legal snafus that have not been made public. Who knows? What it all means is some books are not available digitally for anyone.
2. Not all ebooks are available to libraries. – Even if you see the ebook on Amazon, we may not be able to buy it for the library. Some publishers do not sell ebooks to libraries. If they did, we would buy them when funds are available.
3. Libraries pay more for ebooks. – It costs more to make a book available for multiple readers. While an individual person may pay $2.00 for a book, a library may pay $20.00 for the same title.
4. Ebooks don’t always come out on the release date. – Some publishers only sell the hardcover at first. They release the ebook when the paperback comes out.
5. “Ebook” does not mean “Always available to everyone all the time.” – As far as libraries are concerned, an ebook is just like a physical copy of a book. We pay for one copy of the book. Only one person can check it out at a time.
6. The library wants to get that ebook for you. – If there is a book you want to read in ebook form, please ask us to buy it. If we are not able to do so, we will let you know.
Mango Languages
Mango offers access to 60 foreign language courses and 17 English courses taught completely in the user’s native language. Mango can be accessed at the library, remotely, or even on-the-go with apps for iPhone®, Android™, Kindle® and Nook®.
Other Ebooks and Audiobooks
The State Library of Kansas has other services that provide free digital library books for Kansas residents. Come into the Library and get a free Kansas Library eCard to access these resources.