Can You Highlight Text In Kindle Overdrive Borrowed Books?

Actually trying to annotate library ebooks on my Kindle Oasis via Overdrive and it's not letting me highlight. Anyone figure out a workaround for taking notes on borrowed titles?
2025-07-07 15:19:37
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7 Answers

Best Answer
WesHale
WesHale
Reply Helper Pharmacist
For borrowed OverDrive books read on a Kindle, highlighting is generally allowed—it functions like any other Kindle book, and your highlights remain in the book file until the loan expires. After that, they're removed unless you buy the book later. If you're looking for something with plenty of memorable lines you'd want to highlight, the werewolf romance 'Marked by the Alpha' has a tense dynamic where the protagonist's defiance leads to some sharp, quotable exchanges that really stick with you.
2026-08-06 10:05:58
86
Everett
Everett
Library Roamer Photographer
I can confirm that highlighting works beautifully in Overdrive borrowed books. The process is identical to highlighting in any other Kindle book—just press and hold the text, then choose the highlight option. The highlights are saved to your Amazon account, which means you can access them even after returning the book. This is super handy for students or researchers who need to reference material later.

One thing to note is that the highlights won't disappear when the book is returned, but you won't be able to see the surrounding context unless you borrow the book again. I’ve found this feature especially useful for tracking themes in novels or key arguments in non-fiction. Overdrive and Kindle really make borrowing feel almost like owning, minus the cost. Another perk is that if you ever buy the book later, your highlights will still be there, seamlessly integrated.
2025-07-08 02:54:43
26
Oscar
Oscar
Honest Reviewer Police Officer
I’m a heavy user of both Overdrive and Kindle, and highlighting borrowed books is one of my favorite features. It’s straightforward—just long-press the text and select 'Highlight.' The best part? Those highlights stick around even after the book is returned. They’re stored in your Kindle account under 'My Clippings,' which is perfect for revisiting your favorite lines or notes.

For anyone who loves organizing their thoughts, this is a lifesaver. I often highlight quotes from borrowed books to use in reviews or social media posts later. The only limitation is that you can’t see the full page of a highlight once the book is returned, but the text itself remains. It’s a small trade-off for the convenience of free library books. If you’re into annotating, this feature makes Overdrive borrows feel just as personal as owned books.
2025-07-09 02:17:36
26
Lydia
Lydia
Library Roamer HR Specialist
one thing I love is how seamless the experience is for borrowed books. Highlighting text is totally possible, just like with purchased Kindle books. When you borrow a book through Overdrive and send it to your Kindle, you can highlight passages by pressing and holding on the text. The highlights sync to your Kindle account, so you can review them later in the 'My Clippings' section. It's a game-changer for keeping track of favorite quotes or important points. The only catch is that once the loan period ends, the highlights stay in your account, but you won't be able to access the full book again unless you borrow or buy it. I use this feature all the time for book club discussions and personal notes.
2025-07-12 18:11:27
22
NicoKlein
NicoKlein
Clear Answerer Veterinarian
Technically, yes. Ethically, it feels a bit weird. I know it's permitted by the software, but highlighting someone else's book—even a digital copy—feels like I'm defacing property. I know that's an irrational, physical-book mindset spilling over into the digital realm.

Logically, my 'defacing' disappears for the next borrower and doesn't harm the file. Yet, I still get a slight twinge of guilt when I do it. I stick to the 'note' function instead, which feels more like writing on a private sticky note placed in the book rather than marking the text itself. It's a psychological distinction without a technical difference, but it lets me engage without the weird guilt.
2026-08-02 14:51:12
33
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Can I highlight text in kindle library books?

2 Answers2025-07-21 22:16:04
highlighting text in library books is one of those features that feels like it should be simple but has some quirks. The short answer is yes, you can highlight passages in Kindle library books, but there are limitations based on the publisher's settings. It's frustrating when a book you're really into doesn't allow highlights, but most do. The process is identical to highlighting purchased books—just press and hold, then drag to select. The highlights even sync across devices if you're logged into the same Amazon account. What's cool is that these highlights stick around even after the library loan expires, as long as you don't manually delete them. They get stored in your 'My Clippings' file, which you can access through your Kindle's documents folder. I've built up a massive collection of quotes and notes from library books this way. Some publishers disable the feature, especially for newer releases, which feels like a missed opportunity for readers. It's worth noting that borrowed books don't allow sharing highlights publicly, unlike purchased ones where you can see popular passages.

How does borrowing a kindle book work on OverDrive?

7 Answers2026-07-27 03:54:04
I can walk you through the process. OverDrive is a digital library platform that partners with local libraries to lend e-books. To borrow a Kindle book, you first need a library card from a participating library. Once you have that, you log into your library's OverDrive website or use the Libby app, search for the book you want, and check if it's available in Kindle format. If it is, you click 'Borrow' and select the loan period, usually 7-21 days. After borrowing, you'll see an option to 'Read with Kindle.' Clicking this redirects you to Amazon, where you log into your account. The book is delivered to your Kindle device or app automatically. If the book isn't available, you can place a hold and get notified when it's your turn. The process is seamless, but remember to return the book on time to avoid late fees—though with e-books, they just expire automatically.

Can you highlight text in kindle books from the library?

10 Answers2025-07-20 18:36:25
I’ve explored the ins and outs of highlighting library books. Yes, you can highlight text in Kindle books borrowed from the library, but there’s a catch. The highlights and notes you make will only stay in your device’s local storage until the book is returned. Once the loan period ends, those highlights vanish unless you save them elsewhere. I’ve found workarounds like using the 'My Clippings' file or third-party tools to export highlights before the book expires. It’s a bit tedious, but worth it for research or favorite quotes. The process is identical to highlighting purchased books—just tap and hold to select text. Just remember: library books are temporary, so act fast if you want to keep those insights!

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4 Answers2025-08-16 04:08:48
As an avid Kindle user who loans books frequently, I can confirm that highlighting text is possible, but there are some limitations. When you loan a book through Kindle's lending program, you retain most of the features, including highlighting. However, if the lender has restrictions enabled, your highlights might not sync to their device or persist after the loan period ends. I've loaned books like 'The Midnight Library' and 'Project Hail Mary,' and my highlights stayed intact during the loan. The key is to ensure your Kindle settings allow annotations. Some public library loans through Kindle also permit highlighting, but it depends on the publisher's settings. Always check the book's details page for lending permissions before borrowing.

How many OverDrive books can I borrow on Kindle at once?

3 Answers2025-08-09 07:55:18
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3 Answers2025-08-09 05:12:06
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Can you highlight in a library book on kindle?

7 Answers2025-07-20 14:38:07
As an avid Kindle user who loves annotating books, I can confirm that highlighting in a Kindle library book is possible, but with some limitations. Kindle allows you to highlight text in most borrowed eBooks from services like Kindle Unlimited or Prime Reading, just like you would in a purchased book. The highlights sync across devices if you're logged into the same Amazon account. However, some library books borrowed via OverDrive or Libby may restrict highlighting depending on the publisher's settings. I’ve found that highlights in library books usually stay in your Kindle until the loan expires, and if you check out the same book again later, your highlights might reappear. For those who love revisiting their favorite passages, it’s a fantastic feature. Just press and hold the text to bring up the highlighting tool, and choose your color. It’s a seamless way to engage with the text, whether you’re studying or just savoring a beautiful line.

How to borrow kindle overdrive books from local libraries?

3 Answers2025-07-07 04:54:20
I recently discovered how to borrow Kindle Overdrive books from my local library, and it's been a game-changer for my reading habits. The process is straightforward but requires a few steps. First, you need a library card from a participating library. Once you have that, visit the library's website and look for the digital or Overdrive section. From there, you can browse the available titles and select the one you want. When you choose a book, you'll see an option to borrow it in Kindle format. After borrowing, you'll be redirected to Amazon's website to complete the process. Make sure your Kindle is registered to your Amazon account, and the book will be delivered wirelessly. The loan period varies, but you can usually renew if no one else is waiting. It's a fantastic way to access free books without leaving home.

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10 Answers2025-07-08 06:41:02
I use Kindle rentals all the time, especially when I want to try out a book before committing to buying it. Highlighting works just like with purchased books—press and hold a word, then drag to select the text you want. The highlights sync across devices, so I can review them later on my phone or tablet. One thing I love is that even if the rental expires, my highlights stay saved in my Amazon account under 'Your Highlights.' It’s super handy for studying or revisiting favorite passages. Just make sure to return the book on time to avoid extra charges!

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