Managing indyreads in your library
This information is provided to assist NSW public libraries. If you are a member of the public and have a question about indyreads, please contact your local public library for help.
indyreads is an online platform that provides NSW public libraries with free access to ebooks and audiobooks for their users.
Library users can borrow from the collection using the indyreads app on their device or by accessing indyreads through the web browser.
Collection
The indyreads collection is intended to complement existing public library collections and ensure you can offer your users a diverse collection of quality Australian and international titles. The indyreads collection includes:
- Australian authors and independent publishers
- international independent publishers
- classic fiction, including modern classics
- award winners
- library professional publications
- simultaneous use titles for book clubs
- NSW local studies content
- best examples of self-published material
- collections in ten languages: Chinese, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese
- material to learn English
- Untapped: Australian Literary Heritage Project Collection.
Collection Development Policy
The collection is selected in accordance with the indyreads Collection Development Policy.
Lending
Find out about using indyreads below.
- Borrowing
Library users can borrow from indyreads by downloading the indyreads iOS or Android app on their device, or on the web browser on their computer. Users will need to sign in with their NSW public library card to borrow.
- Loan period
Loans are for 21 days. Books can be renewed if there are no holds.
- Borrowing limit
Users can borrow up to 20 items.
- Renewals
If there is no reservation on a title, a Renew button will appear in the Bookshelf three days before the due date.
- Reservations
There is no limit on the number of reservations someone can place. Additional copies of a title are purchased when there are a lot of reserves.
Administration
Find out how to get the most out of indyreads for your library.
- Catalogue integration
You can integrate indyreads MARC records to your library catalogue to increase visibility of the collection and allow users to borrow directly from your catalogue.
Libraries with the following LMS can integrate indyreads via web services or an API:
- Aurora AIT
- Civica Spydus
- SIRSI Dynix
- Libero
- SOLUS aims to integrate indyreads to their Library app but the date for this is unknown.
Once integrated, some library management systems provide automated record harvesting while others are required to be updated manually.
Contact your LMS account manager to find out more about catalogue integration.
Moving a new LMS
When you move to a new LMS, your configuration details will need to be updated. Please contact us at least two weeks before your transition, with the following details:
- the SIP2 or webservices configuration details from your new LMS vendor
- the date of migration
- a test card and password.
- Purchase suggestions
We welcome suggestions for purchase for titles by Australian authors or Australian independent publishers. You can send these through the contact us form.
- Exclusive content for your own library users
indyreads contains an opt-in Odilo Marketplace where you can select content exclusively for your members. This is called a segmented collection and costs for this service will be debited to your library. This is an optional service. Contact us for more information.
- Local studies content on indyreads
You can upload eligible digitised or born-digital content from your local studies collection to indyreads. Find out how more here.
- Uploading content from local authors, historians and publishers
Content from your local authors, historians and publishers that fit the indyreads Collection Development Policy can be uploaded to indyreads. We have developed a licensing agreement to facilitate this. Please contact us for more information.
- Statistics
You can extract your library's indyreads loan statistics for reporting purposes. Each library has a designated staff member with administration rights. If the person assigned changes, please contact us to update access rights.
- Creating lists
You can create lists on indyreads as a way of providing readers' advisory to your community, including Staff Picks, recommended reading and more. Create a Staff Picks list for your library and contact us so we can add it to the indyreads Staff Picks carousel. You can also embed the URL of lists you create in your promotional resources such as newsletters and social media.
Troubleshooting
If indyreads isn’t working properly, these troubleshooting steps can help fix or diagnose most issues.
If your library user can’t log into indyreads, try the following:
- Are they connected to the internet?
- Have they selected the correct library to log into?
- Is their library card still active?
- Enter the log in details again, ensuring no additional spaces are included.
- App not working
If your user is having issues, they may need to update the app to the most recent version. Deleting and reinstalling the indyreads app should resolve most issues such as bookmarks not working, or missing chapters or images.
- Book won’t download
If your user's book won't download, check the Settings – is it set to ‘Download with Wifi’? A book won’t download until your library user is on Wifi. This setting can be changed.
- Loans won’t open or play
Open the Bookshelf to see a user's loans, tap on the three dots on the right of the book title and tap ‘Delete downloaded file’. Tap the down arrow to download the file again.
- Reading on an ereader
Books can be transferred to ereaders (except Kindle) using Adobe Digital Editions and a computer. Follow the instructions here.
- Reading offline on the Microsoft indyreads app
- Download the Odilo App for Windows and install on your computer
- Select indyreads from the first drop down menu
- Select your library service from the second drop down menu
- Enter your library card number and password/pin
- Accept the terms and conditions and activate.
- Still having issues with the app or loans
If the steps above don't resolve your user's issue, please contact us with the following information and we will escalate it to our vendor to resolve.
- Name and library card number
- Explanation of issue and attempts at resolution (i.e. above actions)
- The title and author, if the issue is related to a specific ebook/audiobook
- Model of device
- Operating System of the device and version (find in device systems info)
- Version of indyreads App (found in Settings on the app).
- indyreads user guides
You can find more information about how to use indyreads in the app user guide and web browser guide.
Please Contact Us if you need any assistance with indyreads at your public library.