Getting started with BorrowBox

From the section: eBooks and eAudiobooks

In this section:

Getting started with BorrowBox

To use BorrowBox, you will need your library:

  • account number 
  • PIN

 Access BorrowBox eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines

If you need help

If you don’t have your PIN or you have any problems, contact us at 247library@solihull.gov.uk. 

If you are not a library member, please visit join a library.

About BorrowBox 

BorrowBox lets you download eBooks, eAudiobooks and ePress (newspapers and magazines) on your: 

  • tablet 
  • smartphone 
  • laptop or PC 
  • eReader 

You'll need to download the BorrowBox app to read them on your smartphone or tablet. 

If you are using BorrowBox for the first time you will be need to create an account. If you already have a BorrowBox account, you will be taken straight to the main page. 

Using multiple accounts

You can have multiple accounts with BorrowBox by using a family member's library card or library cards for other councils. However, you will need to sign in and out to switch between them. 

To do this:

  • go to Account Settings
  • select Reset App

Each account will keep your loans and any holds, but downloads will be removed. 

How to install or access BorrowBox

BorrowBox app

The BorrowBox app is available for:

  • Apple devices
  • Android devices
  • Amazon Kindle Fire

How to install the app

  1. Download and install the app from the App Store, Google Play Store, Amazon Store or Windows Store.
  2. When the download is complete, press 'Open'.
  3. When the app opens, you will be invited to enter the library name. Begin to type Solihull (you should only need a few letters for the library to be recognised).
  4. Enter your library card/membership number. Enter the numbers after the SLP on physical library cards, or just the numbers for digital library cards. For online memberships, enter the number with the WP or H in front.
  5. Enter your 4 digit PIN.
  6. You will then be asked to agree to the terms and conditions.
  7. The front page of the Borrowbox app will now show. You can start downloading immediately. 
  8. The app should remain logged in.

Please contact 247library@solihull.gov.uk if this does not work.

Laptops or PCs

You can use the web version of Borrowbox which looks identical to the version found on tablets and phones.

How to access BorrowBox on laptops or PCs

  1. Enter your library card/membership number. Enter the numbers after the SLP on physical library cards, or just the numbers for digital library cards. For online memberships, enter the number with the WP or H in front.
  2. Enter your 4 digit PIN
  3. Borrowbox will now be available to use.

eReaders (for eBooks)

You will need a Kobo or Nook or other account, depending on which eReader you have.

How to install BorrowBox

  1. Plug your eReader into your computer.
  2. Install the Adobe Digital Editions program on your computer and authorise it with an Adobe ID using your email address.
  3. Go to the Borrowbox website (not the app), sign in with your library card/membership number and PIN, and choose and borrow an eBook.
  4. Click Download Now which will download the eBook to your computer.
  5. The file name will end ‘.epub’.
  6. Find the eBook you’ve downloaded on your computer.
  7. Open the eBook in Adobe Digital Editions.
  8. The first time you do this Adobe Digital Editions will prompt you to enter your Adobe account details. If you don’t have an Adobe account, follow the link to set one up.
  9. Enter your Adobe account details.
  10. Your eReader will appear under the ‘Device’ heading. Drag and drop your eBook to copy it on to your eReader.

How to borrow and download an eBook, eAudiobook, eMagazine or eNewspaper

  1. Browse the eBooks, eAudiobooks or ePress collections. You can browse through the categories to find titles you might enjoy or search to find a specific title. 
  2. Select an eBook, eAudiobook or ePress by pressing 'Borrow'. 
  3. Select 'Confirm eBook loan' or 'Confirm eAudiobook loan'. 
  4. For ePress you can either select 'Borrow issue only' to borrow that edition only, or 'Confirm loan and subscribe' to automatically download new editions for free as they are published in the future.  
  5. The eBook, eAudiobook or eMagazine/Newspaper will now be available to read and you can access it later from 'My Loans'. 
  6. Once you've opened your eBook, you can edit the display settings to a dyslexia-friendly font or edit the font size and line spacing to your liking. 
  7. You can log into the same BorrowBox account on up to six different devices. 

Access to Wi-Fi or mobile data will be needed to browse, borrow and sync content across multiple devices. Once downloaded, content can then be viewed offline for the duration of the item’s loan. 

You can view the following guides for further support: