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Download Audiobooks and More from your library’s ‘Virtual Branch’ website

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Quick Start Guide

About Your Library’s Download Service
Your library’s download service is available via a ‘Virtual Branch’ website. It is a service of your public library and powered by OverDrive.

• Your library has selected a collection of popular titles in digital formats that are available anytime, anywhere.
• You can Browse, Check out and Download popular audiobooks, eBooks, music & video from your library’s website – a ‘Virtual Branch’ website that includes many of the same services of a regular branch! (Formats vary by library.)
• In addition to many user-friendly features such as MediaMarkers™ and bookmarks, accessibility features are included in the OverDrive Media Console to enhance the experience for visually impaired or blind patrons.

What You Need

• An Internet-connected computer. (Windows based PCs can play or display audiobooks, eBooks music and video. Adobe eBooks and MP3 audiobooks are compatible with Mac computers.)
• A valid library card.
• Free software available via your ‘Virtual Branch’ website.

Note: Titles available from your library’s ‘Virtual Branch’ may be enjoyed at home, work or when you travel. OverDrive Audiobooks may be used on library computers only with the OverDrive Download Station software installed.

How to Use the Service

Downloading audiobooks, eBooks and other media from your library is easy! It’s like online shopping. Just follow these easy steps:

Step 1: Browse

1. Browse the digital catalog on your library’s ‘Virtual Branch’ website.
2. You may also search by title, subject, author, format and other criteria. Convenient categories are also accessible from each page.

Step 2: Check out

1. Add selections to your ‘Cart’. Note: if a title is not available, you may place a hold. You will receive an email when the title is available for checkout.
2. Click on the ‘Proceed to Checkout’ link and enter your library card number.

Step 3: Download... Enjoy!

1. Click on the ‘Download’ button under each title to launch OverDrive Media Console (for audiobooks, music and video), or other software for eBooks.*
2. Select parts to download (for audiobooks, music and video), then click ‘OK’. The download will begin.
3. Once downloaded, titles may be enjoyed on your computer and transferred to a supported portable device! (see next column for details)

* How to Install Free Software

Prior to downloading an audiobook, eBook, music or video title for the first time, you’ll need to install free software designed to enhance your reading, listening or viewing experience.

• Locate the software links at your library’s ‘Virtual Branch’ website, and click to select one. Depending on what formats your library offers, you may see any of the following: Adobe Digital Editions (for Adobe eBooks on PC and Mac), Mobipocket Reader (for Mobipocket eBooks), OverDrive Media Console (for audiobooks on Mac or PC, and Music and Video on PC).
• When you click each link, a Help page will open with instructions and system requirements for the installation.
• Follow the instructions to complete the installation.

How to Transfer to a Portable Device (audiobooks, music, video)

After downloading from your library, most titles can be transferred to a portable device.

1. Open OverDrive Media Console.
2. Select the title you wish to transfer.
3. Click ‘Transfer’.
4. The Transfer Wizard will open. Then:
   • Connect your portable device to your computer. Click ‘Next’.
   • When the device is detected, the ‘Confirm’ screen will appear.
   • Select the ‘Parts’ you wish to transfer and click ‘Next’.
   • OverDrive Media Console will test for storage space before beginning the transfer.
   • After the transfer is complete, you may disconnect your device.
5. Click ‘Finish’ to close the Wizard.

How to Burn to CD (audiobooks, music)

1. Open OverDrive Media Console.
2. Select the title you wish to burn to CD.
3. Click ‘Burn’.
4. The Burn Wizard will open:
   • Click ‘Next’, the ‘Confirm’ screen will appear.
   • Place a blank CD in your CD-ROM drive.
   • Select the ‘Parts’ you wish to burn.
   • The Burn Wizard will tell you how many CDs are required.
   • Click ‘Next’.
   • When the burn process is complete, the CD ejects automatically and the ‘Success’screen appears.
5. Click ‘Finish’ to close the Wizard.

For detailed instructions, visit your ‘Virtual Branch’ website.

Automatic Expiration

At the end of the lending period, each title will automatically expire and be returned to the ‘Virtual Branch’ website. There are no late fees! The file will still be visible on your computer, but is unable to be opened.

Help Resources

Visit your library’s ‘Virtual Branch’ website for assistance.

Help Page
Click on the ‘Help’ link for FAQs.

Quick Start Guide (electronic version)
How to get started in three easy steps.

Guided Tour

Self-paced guide to browsing, downloading and enjoying digital titles. Review the entire Flash-based Guided Tour in about 25 minutes, or select an individual topic.

For a list of participating libraries in the OverDrive network

Common Terms

OverDrive Audiobook

An audiobook is a digital version of a recorded reading of a book. An OverDrive Audiobook is an audiobook that has been optimized for download. OverDrive Audiobooks come in two formats, MP3 (DRM-free) and WMA (digitally-protected Windows Media Audio). All OverDrive Audiobooks are divided into parts for easy downloading and, depending on publisher permission, many may be burned to CD and/or transferred to supported portable devices.

eBook

An eBook, short for ‘electronic book’, is a book in digital format. It can be any published book that is formatted for viewing on a computer screen or on a growing list of portable devices. Like all of the media in your library’s digital collection, you browse for eBooks online and then download to read them offline! You don’t have to be connected to the Internet to read an eBook. Plus, like all digital formats, reading eBooks requires free software which is easy to use and available for download via your library’s ‘Virtual Branch’.

OverDrive Media Console™

OverDrive Media Console is free and easy-to-use software that handles all aspects of your download audiobook, music and video experience. Available for both Windows and Mac, OverDrive Media Console provides easy navigation, including a point-and-click scroll bar, jump back 15 seconds, and bookmarking, as well as adjustable playback speed. It also includes a Transfer Wizard that allows you to transfer titles to your supported portable device in just a few clicks and a Burn Wizard for easy burning to CD.

About OverDrive

The leading digital media services provider for libraries, schools, and retailers, OverDrive enables your library to deliver download audiobooks, eBooks and other digital media from your library’s ‘Virtual Branch’ website. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, OH

© 2009 OverDrive, Inc.