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Audiobooks

About MyiLibrary Audiobooks

MyiLibrary Audio from Ingram Digital features a user-friendly interface that is both PC and Mac compatible. All titles are downloadable and playable via iPod and iPhone, in addition to hundreds of MP3 devices. These downloadable materials cover a wide range of fictional and non-fictional topics, and run on easy-to-use free software available from the Ingram Digital MyiLibrary website. In order to borrow and use a specific format of digital media, you must download and install the proper software.

• No fines!
• Customer-selected loan period.
• Can be transferred to a handheld device.
• Free Ingram Media Manager software required.
• Supports newer versions of Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari browsers.
• Windows Media Player v9 and above is required (WMA)
• Apple® iTunes® version 7.6.2.9 or newer required (iPod and iPhone)
• Limited copies of each title, but a waiting list is provided when no copies are available.
• Titles from Random House Audio, Simon & Schuster Audio, Penguin Audio and others.
• Email notification when a requested title placed on hold is available for download.

How to download MyiLibrary Audiobooks

1. Search for audiobooks by entering a part of the title, an author, an ISBN, or other keywords describing the audiobooks you are interested in finding. The search will look for all of the words you enter in the description of the audiobooks.
    
2. Type in your search, and click the right arrow button. If you only want to see audiobooks which are currently available for download, check the "Only Available Items" checkbox before you click the right arrow button.
    
3. The advanced search can be accessed by clicking on the "Advanced Search" link just below the search entry box.
    
4. You can view all of the audiobooks in your library's collection, or you can browse for specific topics by using the links always found on the left side of the screen.
    
5. After entering a search or selecting a category to browse, you will see a list of audiobooks on your screen. The list will include some of information about each audiobook and will allow you to add the audiobook to your Bookshelf or place a hold on any book that is already checked out.
    
6. To download an audiobook, you first need to add the audiobook to your Bookshelf. From the Bookshelf you can download new audiobooks, view the list of audiobooks you have on hold, and see a history of the audiobooks you have downloaded in the past.
    
7. Audio books will remain on your Bookshelf until the check out period expires or you return them. You may download audiobooks at any time as long as they are on your Bookshelf. To download an audiobook, click on the Download Now button. If you decide that you do not want to listen to an audiobook on your bookshelf, you can remove it by clicking the Return Now button.
    
8. When all available copies of an audiobook are checked out, MyiLibrary e-audio allows you to place a hold on the audiobook. An audiobook on your hold list will remain in this section of your Bookshelf until you remove it or it becomes available and is moved to the Download section of your Bookshelf. You will be notified via email when an audiobook you have on hold becomes available for download. Each item on your Hold list indicates your place on the waiting list (e.g. You are patron 1 of 3 on waiting list). Click the Remove button to remove your hold on an audiobook.
    
9. If you need additional assistance or have other questions, see MyiLibrary Help.

About OverDrive Audiobooks:

These downloadable materials from Maryland's Digital eLibrary Consortium, powered by OverDrive,  cover a wide range of fictional and non-fictional topics, and run on easy-to-use free software available from the OverDrive website. In order to borrow and use a specific format of digital media, you must download and install the proper software.

• Thousands of titles!

• No fines

• Customer-selected loan period

• Windows Media Audio (WMA) format

• Windows Media Player v9 and above is required for WMA

• Some titles available in MP3 format.*

• Can be transferred to a handheld device.*

• Apple® iTunes® version 7.6.2.9 or newer required for MP3

• Free OverDrive Media Console software required

• Some titles may be burned to a CD

• Limited copies of each title, but a waiting list is provided when no copies are available.
• Titles from Brilliance Audio, Blackstone, Books in Motion, Penton, and more!
• How to download Audio Books from OverDrive

*With OverDrive Media Console for Mac, Audiobooks in MP3 format can be transferred to a wide range of handheld Apple devices. The built-in Burn Wizard can be used to burn MP3 Audiobooks to CD, and the Transfer Wizard allows quick and easy transfer to Apple® devices. If you wish to transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to your Apple® device, you will need to have Apple® iTunes® version 7.6.2.9 (or newer) installed.

How to download OverDrive Audiobooks

1. Search for specific titles or browse the collection. Once you find the title you want, click Add to "My Bookbag". Titles in your bookbag remain there for 30 minutes. When you finish browsing, click on "My Bookbag", then "Proceed to Checkout".
    
2. When asked to log in to your account choose Baltimore County Public Library as your library system, then enter your library card number. Click on "Confirm Checkout" at the next screen, and the titles are ready to download. You may not download to BCPL public computers.
    
3. You must have OverDrive Media Console installed to listen to these audio books! The checkout confirmation screen offers you the option of downloading the Media Console.
    
4. If a title you want is not currently available, you can place a hold on it. That puts you next in the queue for that title. Proceed as instructed in #2 to check out your other titles. You will be asked for an email address during the Check Out process. This information is required so that OverDrive can notify you via email that the title is available.
    
5. When the title becomes available, you will receive an email with instructions on checking the book out. The item will be held for you for 3 days (starting when you are emailed notice that the title is available). Please note: Some families with multiple cardholders use the same email address for notification. If you receive an email stating that a book is ready for download, but it does not appear on the list when you log in to your account in OverDrive, check to be sure the book was not inadvertently checked out using a family member's card instead of your own.
   
6. If you have additional questions, see the OverDrive Help pages.

Troubleshooting OverDrive Audiobooks:

The answers to most questions can be found by following the "Help" link, which is available from every page on the OverDrive website. Be aware that OverDrive also offers materials in other formats, so be sure you are looking at the Audiobook Help pages!

If you are unable to find an answers to your question online, contact support. Please include the following information in your correspondence:

• Steps to reproduce the problem (in as much detail as possible)
• Exact text of any error message (screen shots are helpful)
• URL(s) of any error page(s) you encounter
• Library card number
• Title(s) of problem download(s)
• Applicable software version (this information can typically be found under Help > About.)
• Operating system (Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 98 SE, etc.)
• Internet browser and version (Internet Explorer 7.0, Firefox 2.0, etc. In most browsers, find this under Help > About.)
• If applicable, device type and operating system

To find out which players will work, go to OverDrive's Device Resource Center. There are also links here to each of the manufacturer websites which may be able to help with troubleshooting.

Unfortunately, neither BCPL nor the Audiobook vendors can troubleshoot individual listening devices. There are many devices to which the products can be downloaded, and the vendors are very clear that they do not troubleshoot at the device level. The best method for dealing with device problems is to refer to the device manufacturer's website.

Comparison of MyiLibrary and OverDrive Audiobooks:

Other Sources for Free Audiobooks

Assistive Media: Expanding the World of Reading
An audio-literary service for persons with print reading/access barriers. To listen to the books you must have at least a 28.8K modem and an installed version of RealPlayer (available on their web site.) Assistive Media provides free-of-charge, copyright approved, high caliber audio literary works.

This page is provided by the Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, Maryland USA.
The text version of this page was last revised on 29 December 2009.
The graphics version of this page was last revised on 29 December 2009.
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