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You can burn OverDrive audiobooks to CD or transfer them to your mp3 player.

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Digital Books - How to Use OverDrive

Go directly to Overdrive

Video Tutorials

Watch these video tutorials to learn how to use NetLibrary. Flash required.

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Getting Started: Get the Software

First you need the OverDrive software. Before you can download any audio books, you need OverDrive Media Console. Read the system requirements and then click on the button to start the download. Click on the OverDrive button until a pop-up box appears, then click "Run." The software will install automatically. Just follow the steps on your screen. It takes only a minute or so.

If you try to download a book before installing the software, the book won't open.

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Sign In

It is faster if you sign in with your library card number before you begin searching. Click the Sign In button, and then enter your 14-digit library card number.

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Searching for Digital Books

You can browse the OverDrive lists of books from their site, or you can search using the search box at the top of the page.

If you want to see only ebooks or only audio books, click on the appropriate link at the top of OverDrive's main screen to limit your search.

Click on a book cover or title to see more about the book, such as:

  • Format - ebook or audio download
  • Availability - if the item is available, you'll see a link for "Add to ebag"
  • File size - helps you estimate how long it will take to download
  • Number of parts and Duration - for audio downloads only

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My eBag

When you see an item that's available, you can add it to your ebag. It will stay in your ebag for 30 minutes while you search or browse, so that no one else can check it out.

To add a title to your ebag, simply click on the Add to ebag link.

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Check Out

Go to My eBag to see a list of books waiting for check out. If you're happy with your selection, click on Proceed to Checkout.

You can remove items from your ebag by clicking on the remove links next to the titles.

Click on Confirm Checkout.

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Downloading Audio Books

Remember that you must install OverDrive Media Console before you download any digital books.

You have to use the same computer to download and open audio books and ebooks.

Once you check out, you'll see your item on the screen with a download button. Click the download button on the screen. OverDrive Media Console will open and download the book.

When asked which folder you would like to save the file in, it is best to leave it in "My Documents\My Media" because this makes it easier to transfer digital books to CD's or mp3 players later.

Questions about Downloading Audio Books

Do I have to download the entire book at once?
You can download audio books in parts. Select the parts you want to download and then click Ok.
How long will it take to download the book?
Download times will vary with the length of the book and the speed of your Internet connection. If you are on a dial-up connection, you should expect download to be slow.
Can I download the title multiple times?
For audio books, there is no limit to the number of times you can download the title. Throughout the 3-week check out period, you can download the parts at separate times.
How do I get back to the audio book to download other parts?
Follow these steps:
  • Open OverDrive Media Console.
  • Locate the desired title in your 'Media Library', and single-click it. This will select that title.
  • Click the 'Download parts' button. The 'Download Part(s)' dialog box is displayed, and lists all of the parts of the selected title.
  • If you are not already online, connect to the Internet.
  • Locate the part which you want to download, and place a checkmark in the checkbox to the left of the desired part.
  • Click the 'OK' button. The selected part will begin downloading, and the download status will be displayed in the lower-right hand corner of OverDrive Media Console.

Troubleshooting OverDrive Audio Books

See Troubleshooting OverDrive Audio Books if you have any problems downloading audio books.

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Playing Audio Books on Your Computer

You can listen to audio books on your computer by opening OverDrive Media Console. Any titles you have checked out will appear there. Double click on a title to listen.

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Transferring Audio Books to a Portable Device

You must download any audio book file to your computer first for them to work correctly. From there you can transport to a portable device.

Which MP3 Player Can I Use?

Can I Use My iPod? Unfortunately, no. Right now there are no digital book download systems available for libraries that work with iPods. Here is a web site that explains which mp3 players work with our digital books. Make sure your mp3 player can handle subscription downloads.

Transfer Instructions

You need to have Windows Media Player on your computer. You can use version 9, 10, or 11.

To transfer using OverDrive Media Console 2.1:
  • Plug in your portable device to the computer in the USB port.
  • From OverDrive Media Console, click the Transfer button.
  • A window appears asking you to plug in your device. Click Next.
  • Select which parts of the file you want to transfer to your device.
  • Click Next.
  • Files will sync to the portable device.

To transfer using OverDrive Media Console 1.0 and Windows Media Player version 11.0:
  • Plug in your portable device to the computer in the USB port.
  • From OverDrive Media Console, click on Transfer/Burn. This will open Windows Media Player.
  • Click theSync tab.
  • On left hand side, under Playlists, click the title you want to transfer.
  • Drag the parts of the file you want to transfer, from the center of the screen to the box marked Sync List.
  • Click the Start Sync button. Files will sync to the portable device.

To transfer using OverDrive Media Console 1.0 and Windows Media Player version 10.0:

  • Plug in your portable device to the computer in the USB port.
  • From OverDrive Media Console, click on Transfer/Burn. This will open Windows Media Player.
  • Click the Library tab.
  • On right hand side, click down arrow to get to your sync list.
  • Search for the file name and drag it into your sync list.
  • Click on Sync tab.
  • Click Start Sync. Files will sync to the portable device.

To transfer using OverDrive Media Console 1.0 and Windows Media Player version 9.0:

  • Plug in your portable device to the computer in the USB port.
  • From OverDrive Media Console, click on Transfer/Burn. This will open Windows Media Player.
  • Go to File > Copy > Copy to Portable Device
  • Select with check marks the sections you want to copy to the portable device (in left-hand side of window).
  • Select portable device drive from drop-down in right-hand side of window.
  • Click on Copy in upper right corner of window. Files will copy to the portable device.

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Burning Audio Books to CD

You must download any audio book file to your computer first for them to work correctly. From there you can burn them to a CD. You must have a CD burner in order to burn audio books to CD.

Each 'part' of an OverDrive audio book will take up approximately one CD.

Burn Instructions

You need to have Windows Media Player on your computer. You can use version 9 or version 10.

To burn using Windows Media Player version 10.0:

  • Open OverDrive Media Console, highlight your book and click the 'Transfer/burn' button.
  • Windows Media Player opens and begins playing the title. You may stop playback at this point if you choose.
  • In the 'Now Playing' screen, ensure that the 'Now Playing List' is displayed on the right-hand side of the player.
  • If it is not displayed, click the 'Restore the Video and Visualization Pane' button.
  • Click the 'Library' tab. The media library will be displayed but the 'Now Playing List' should remain.
  • Insert a blank CDR in your CD-RW drive and click the 'Start Burn' button. Windows Media Player will burn the parts to CD in the order that they appear in the 'Now Playing List'. The Player will prompt you when it requires a new CD.

To burn using Windows Media Player version 9.0:

  • In OverDrive Media Console, highlight a book and click the 'Transfer/burn' button. Windows Media Player opens.
  • Click the 'Copy to CD or Device' button. The 'Copy to CD or Device' screen will appear.
  • Select the part(s) to be burned to CD by checking the box next to the part name.
  • Place a blank CDR in your CD-ROM drive and ensure that your CD drive is selected in the right hand pane of Windows Media Player.
  • Click the 'Copy' button in the upper right hand corner of Windows Media Player to add the part(s) to the list of files to be burned to disc.
  • Windows Media Player will inspect, convert, and temporarily copy the file in preparation for burning. This process may take a few minutes. You may follow the Player's progress by monitoring the 'Status' field in Windows Media Player.
  • When the burning process is complete, Windows Media Player will eject the disc and the status field will indicate 'Complete'.

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Downloading Ebooks

Remember to install Adobe Reader before you download ebooks.

If you check out an ebook, once you click the download button, Adobe Reader will open and begin the download.

Questions about Downloading Ebooks

Do I have to download the entire book at once?
Yes, ebooks must be downloaded all at once.
How long will it take to download the book?
Download times will vary with the length of the book and the speed of your Internet connection. If you are on a dial-up connection, you should expect download to be slow.
Can I download the title multiple times?
For ebooks, there is only one download. Once you download it to your computer, all you can do is transfer it to a PDA.

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Reading Ebooks on Your Computer

After you download an ebook, to view it, you need to open Adobe Reader. Go to the File menu and select Digital Editions. Any titles you have downloaded will appear in this window. Double click to open.

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Returning Ebooks Early

You can return OverDrive Ebooks (not audio books) early if you wish. Here's how:

  • Open Adobe Reader
  • Go to File
  • Select Digital Editions
  • Click on My Digital Editions
  • Select the title you want to return
  • Hit the Actions button at the bottom of the screen
  • Click Return to Lender. A window will pop up with the loan due date.
  • Click Return to Lender

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