BorrowBox

With your library card, you can download and stream eAudiobooks on your device.

How it works

Your library card gives you free access to the BorrowBox app, which allows you to download free audiobooks to your phone or tablet. You can also listen to the same titles in your browser (such as Chrome, Edge or Firefox) from the BorrowBox website.

Get started

BorrowBox is available on iOS, Android phones and tablets and PCs. All you need is your library card number. Apply for a library card now — we can get a number to you within a few working days.

Please be advised that the temporary WEB library card number issued to you when you first apply online will not work with eLibrary services — you must have a permanent library card number to start using BorrowBox. This will be emailed to you once we have processed your application.

You can start using BorrowBox by:

Downloading the free BorrowBox app from the iOS App Store
Downloading the free BorrowBox app from the Google Play store
Visiting the BorrowBox website

The quickest way is to install the app. Search for “BorrowBox” in the iOS or Google Play app stores and follow the instructions.

Step by step instructions

If you need help setting up BorrowBox on your device, visit your local library where our friendly staff can walk you through the process.

Setting up on a smartphone or tablet

Download and install the BorrowBox app from the App Store or Play Store‍
When the download is complete, click ‘Open’
When the BorrowBox app opens, type ‘Suffolk’ in the search bar and select ‘Suffolk Community Libraries’
Enter your library card number and PIN number
Register an account with an email address and display name
Agree to the terms and conditions
Suffolk Community Libraries BorrowBox service will now be available to use

Setting up on an Amazon Kindle Fire

On an Amazon Kindle Fire you will need to download the BorrowBox app directly from their website rather than from the Kindle store. Download the BorrowBox app for Kindle Fire.

Once you have downloaded the app, follow the steps from step 4 above.

Setting up on a computer

Go to the BorrowBox website and click the ‘Sign in’ link
Enter your library card number and PIN and click ‘Sign in’
Register an account with an email address, display name and agreeing to the terms and conditions – then click ‘Submit’
You will be provided with information about the service, then click ‘Next’
Suffolk Community Libraries BorrowBox service will now be available to use

Borrowing titles on a tablet or smartphone

Choose ‘eAudiobooks’ or ‘Search’ in the app menu to find an eAudio book
Select the eAudio book you want and click ‘Borrow’, and then ‘Confirm loan’. If it is on loan to another borrower, you can reserve it by clicking ‘Reserve’ and then ‘Confirm renewal’
A message will come up saying ‘Loan successful’. Click ‘Download now’. This will give you the option to download all or select eAudio book files, and listen to the files in the app
The eAudio book will automatically expire in 3 weeks. You can renew it if no one else has reserved it, by clicking the ‘Renew’ button on the ‘My Loans’ view
You can also return an eAudio book early by clicking ‘Return’ next to the book title

Borrowing titles on a computer

Go to the BorrowBox website and find an eAudio book through the search bar or browse categories by clicking ‘eAudiobooks’ next to ‘Start’
Select the eBook you want and click ‘Borrow’, and then click ‘Confirm eAudiobook loan’. If it is on loan to another borrower, you can reserve it by clicking ‘Reserve’ and then ‘Confirm renewal’
You will be able to ‘Download complete eAudiobook’ or download it in parts. The files will be MP3 format
Find the eAudio book files on your computer and open them in a program that plays MP3 files
The eAudio book will automatically expire in 3 weeks. You can renew it if no one else has reserved it, by clicking the ‘Renew’ button on the ‘My Account’ page
You can also return an eAudio book early by clicking ‘Return’ next to the book title, and deleting the files from your computer