You don’t always need to purchase my books to read them, as many of my titles can be borrowed through library ebook services.

Public libraries use digital platforms like OverDrive, BorrowBox and cloudLibrary to offer online lending, and if your local service is signed up to one of these, you can usually borrow my ebooks on your phone, tablet or e-reader with a valid library card.

If a title isn’t listed straight away, your library can normally order it on request.

My ebooks are supplied to a range of library systems, which means different authorities may carry them in different apps.

Some rely entirely on OverDrive and Libby, others prefer BorrowBox or cloudLibrary, and quite a few use more than one service.

Once a librarian selects a title for their digital shelves, it becomes available for readers in that area.

Using OverDrive and Libby

OverDrive is one of the largest library ebook services in the world, and Libby is their main reading app.

Here’s how to try to borrow one of my books through OverDrive or Libby.

Sign up for a library card with your local public library if you don’t already have one.

Download the Libby app to your device, or go to your library’s OverDrive website.

Open Libby or the OverDrive site and search for your library by name.

Log in with your library card number and PIN.

Use the search box to look for “Jon Cronshaw” or the title you want.

If the book is available, tap or click Borrow and it will be added to your loans.

If the book is not listed, look for an option such as “Recommend”, “Notify Me”, or “Tag as wish list”.

Some libraries use these lists to decide what to buy next.

If you still can’t see a way to request it in-app, you can usually send a purchase suggestion through your library’s website or ask staff at the desk.

Using BorrowBox

BorrowBox is widely used by libraries in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand.

To try to borrow my books through BorrowBox, follow these steps.

Join your local public library and make sure your card is active.

Install the free BorrowBox app from your device’s app store, or visit the BorrowBox website your library links to.

Open the app, choose your library service from the list, and log in with your card number and PIN.

Use the search bar to look for “Jon Cronshaw” or a specific title.

If the book is in the collection and currently available, select Borrow and confirm the loan.

If all copies are on loan, you can usually place a reservation so you get a notification when it’s free.

If the book doesn’t appear at all, ask your library if they can order it through BorrowBox.

Because the books are already in BorrowBox’s catalogue, librarians should be able to add them if budgets allow.

Using cloudLibrary (Bibliotheca)

cloudLibrary is another major platform that lets libraries lend ebooks and audiobooks.

To use cloudLibrary, get a valid library card from a service that offers cloudLibrary.

Download the cloudLibrary app from your app store or visit your library’s cloudLibrary page.

Open the app, pick your country, then your library, and log in with your card number and PIN.

Search for “Jon Cronshaw” or a title.

If your library has already bought the book, you can borrow it with a tap.

If it hasn’t, cloudLibrary often lets you “Include books not in library” and add them to a wish list.

That wish list is visible to library staff and helps them decide what to order.

If you can’t see that option, you can still request the book by using your library’s online recommendation form or speaking to staff.

What about Tolino?

Tolino itself is a network of ebook shops and devices used mainly in German-speaking countries.

It is more of a retail and hardware brand than a library service.

However, some Tolino eReaders can work with library platforms such as OverDrive if your library supports them, so you may be able to read borrowed titles on a Tolino device.

If you use a Tolino, your best bet is to check which library app your local service uses.

Borrow the ebook through that app.

Then follow their instructions for reading on a compatible eReader.

If you can’t find the book in your library

Even if a platform lists my books in its master catalogue, your local library still has to decide to buy them.

If you search and nothing comes up, check that you are spelling “Jon Cronshaw” correctly.

Try searching by title instead of author.

Look for “show all titles” or “include books not in library” toggles.

If that fails, go to your library’s website and look for a page called something like “Suggest a purchase”, “Recommend a title” or “Request a book”.

Put in the book title, my name, and that it is available to libraries through OverDrive / BorrowBox / cloudLibrary.

You can also walk into your branch and ask a librarian.

Staff can usually check the supplier catalogue and order copies if they have the budget.

Quick checklist

Here’s a simple checklist you can follow.

Get a valid library card.Find out which ebook app your library uses.Install the app and log in with your card number and PIN.Search for “Jon Cronshaw” or the title you want.If the book shows up, borrow or reserve it.If it doesn’t, use the app’s wish-list or recommendation feature, or ask your librarian to order it.

That way you support both your local library and my writing, all while reading for free.