Getting started with cloudLibrary

Getting started

Welcome to cloudLibrary! Choose from thousands of e-books and e-audiobooks for all ages and interests, free with your Brampton Library card. Borrow up to twenty (20) items at a time and benefit from a 21-day loan period with automatic returns and no late fees. 

Continue here for more information about how to get a library card.

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How to access cloudLibrary   

Downloading and Transferring e-books to an e-reader

Frequently asked questions

Help and support

How to access

cloudLibrary can be accessed from any computer or mobile device through a web browser, or through the apps for iOS and Android.

To start using cloudLibrary on a computer

• Visit cloudLibrary in your web browser. 
• Click the "Login" button in the upper left corner of your screen. 
• Enter your library card and PIN, then click "Log In" to continue.
• Review the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and End User License Agreement, then click "Accept" to continue.
• You're all set! Start browsing or searching the collection to find your next great reading or listening experience.

To start using cloudLibrary on a smartphone or tablet

cloudLibrary has downloadable mobile apps available for the following:

• Android OS: Android Phones, Android Tablets 
• iOS: iPad, iPhone, iPod touch 
• NOOK OS: NOOK Tablets
• Fire OS: Kindle Fire, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HDX Tablets*

*Not supported by all versions: cloudLibrary is currently not compatible with Kindle e-Ink reader devices (i.e. Paperwhite, Oasis). If you would like to read e-books from the library on your Kindle, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and request that Amazon allow compatibility with cloudLibrary.

• Download the cloudLibrary app from the app store on your device (see links above).
• Once your download is complete, open the app and follow the prompts on your screen:
• Select your language, then tap the screen to continue.
• Tap "Select Country" and choose Canada. Tap "Select State/Region" and choose Ontario. Tap "Select Library" and choose Brampton Library. Click "Next" when you're ready to continue.
• Review the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and End User License Agreement, then click "Accept" to continue.
• Enter your library card and PIN, then click "Log In" to continue.
• You’re all set! Start browsing or searching the collection to find your next great reading or listening experience.

Downloading and transferring e-books to an e-reader

The older generation cloudLibrary desktop apps for Windows OS and Mac OS X apps will be phased out in early 2021. For downloading eBooks to an "e-ink" e-reader device (i.e., Kobo Clara, Libra, Nia, Forma and older models) we encourage you to use the process outlined below.

Before you begin, make sure you have Adobe Digital Editions installed on your computer: Click this link to install the latest version. For more information on how Adobe Digital Editions works, please see the FAQs.

• Visit cloudLibrary in your web browser and login (see above section for login instructions).
• Search for a book you want to read, then borrow.
• Once borrowed, the Book Details screen for your borrowed title will pop up. For books you've already borrowed, you can go to "My Books" and tap on the book cover to pull up the Book Details screen.
• Under the "Read/Return" button, you'll see "Download for offline reading." Click on the text link and the file will download onto your computer’s designated download folder.
• Open Adobe Digital Editions, and log in with your Adobe ID and password. If you don't have one, you will need to create one using the "Create an Adobe ID" link in the menu.
• Once in Adobe Digital Editions, click on "File" from the upper menu and choose "Add to Library."
• Navigate to the folder with your downloaded file. If nothing shows up when you search with File Explorer or Finder (Control + F on your keyboard), you may have to choose "Adobe Content Server Message" as the file type. When you find the file, open it. 
• The book will now open in Adobe Digital Editions. To exit the reading view, you can click the "Library" button.
• Connect your e-reader to your computer. Once connected, you'll see your device name appear under "Devices" on the left menu in Adobe Digital Editions.
• With your cursor, select your e-book file(s) and drag and drop over your device name. The e-book will be copied to your device. 
• You’re all set! Safely eject your e-reader before disconnecting the USB cable. 

Frequently asked questions

How many items can I check out in cloudLibrary?

Up to 20 items at a time. If you've reached your checkout limit, you can choose to return a title early in order to borrow a different title. 

How many holds can I place in cloudLibrary at one time?

Up to 20 items at a time. If you've reached your holds limit, you can choose to remove your hold from a title in order to place a different title on hold.

How long can I borrow an item for in cloudLibrary?

Up to 21 days. After this time period, your item will automatically expire. 

How do I renew a borrowed item in cloudLibrary?

If the item is eligible for renewal, a "Renew" button will appear for the item under "My Books" in the cloudLibrary web platform and mobile apps. An item that is on hold for another user is not eligible for renewal. In this case, if you want to borrow the item again, you will need to place a hold once your loan has expired. 

Due to the nature of digital items, e-books and e-audiobooks borrowed from cloudLibrary cannot be renewed using the Brampton Library mobile app or catalog. Please use the cloudLibrary web platform or mobile apps for this activity.

How do I return a borrowed item in cloudLibrary?

In the cloudLibrary web platform or mobile app, go to "My Books" and click on the "Return" button for the item (located under the "Read" button). 

Due to the nature of digital items, e-books and e-audiobooks borrowed from cloudLibrary cannot be returned using the Brampton Library mobile app or catalog. Please use the cloudLibrary web platform or mobile apps for this activity.

How do I suggest a title for purchase in cloudLibrary?

Can’t find what you're searching for? Let us know! To suggest e-books and e-audiobooks, we encourage you to submit your purchase suggestion through cloudLibrary in the following ways:

1. When you are logged into the cloudLibrary web platform:

   • Click on the search bar, then select Advanced Search.
   • Open the drop-down menu under Availability, then select Suggestions for Library.
   • Enter the title, author, series, and/or ISBN you are looking for, then select Search. 
   • If you are unable to find the title, please contact Library staff for assistance.

2. When you are logged into the cloudLibrary mobile app:

   • Tap the Search button from the menu.
   • Tap the Filter Books menu (three lines) next to the Search bar. 
   • Tap the toggle next to Suggestions for Library to turn on this option. Tap Apply.
   • Browse or use the search bar to find a book or audiobook of interest. Tap the Suggest button on any title you would suggest.

   When a title you suggested is purchased for the cloudLibrary collection, you will get a notification that it is available to borrow. Simply go to your Holds under My Books in the cloudLibrary web platform or mobile app.

All purchase suggestions are evaluated according to the library's Collection Management Policy, including demand, quality, and budget. Brampton Library values your feedback and encourages you to suggest titles for purchase, however we regret that we are unable to purchase every item suggested. 

How many title suggestions can I make?

Up to three (3) suggestions per month. Brampton Library values your feedback and encourages you to suggest titles for purchase, however due to a high volume of requests we are unable to increase the number of suggestions per month at this time.

Why do some titles disappear from cloudLibrary?

Brampton Library has partnered with public libraries across Ontario to form a cloudLinking consortium. Basically, cloudLinking allows participating libraries to pool e-book and e-audiobook collections together on cloudLibrary, providing a greater selection of titles and more "available now" copies to library cardholders. The reason why some titles may seem to disappear in cloudLibrary is because they belong to another library within the consortium and have been borrowed. These titles will reappear once they are returned and available to borrow again. All Brampton Library owned titles remain visible, borrowable, and holdable on cloudLibrary regardless of their availability status. 

Help and support

Visit cloudLibrary’s support site to learn more.

For further assistance, contact us.