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Portland Public Library members now
have two options to download audiobooks. eAudiobooks are digital versions of audiobooks
that are available over the internet from your library. You
can search for, check out and download eAudiobooks to your
computer through NetLibrary or
Overdrive Maine
Infonet Download Library via the internet.
You can listen to eAudiobooks directly from your computer or
transfer the digital files to a portable device.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is available?
NetLibrary: About 2,000 titles, a mix of fiction and
nonfiction. Includes Pimsleur Language programs. No youth
titles. All titles are always available.
Overdrive: A mix of adult, children, and young adult
titles, fiction and nonfiction. If an item is checked out, you may place a hold.
How do I register?
NetLibrary:
call the reference desk at
871-1725 (have your library barcode number handy) or, if you are
in the library,
click
this link for the Netlibrary eAudiobook Center and look for
"create a free account" in the upper right hand corner.
Overdrive: You do not need to register. Sign in
with your PPL library barcode number. It may take up to a
week for new cards to be activated. If you have had a card
for more than a week, and you are unable to log in, please call
the reference desk at 871-1725, or email us at
reference@portland.lib.me.us.
Can I download and
play eAudiobooks on a Mac or iPod?
NetLibrary and
Overdrive: Offer both WMA and MP3 eAudiobook
formats. OverDrive and NetLibrary MP3 Audiobooks are compatible with many
devices including most cell phones, PDA’s and MP3 players such as
iPods. OverDrive is now iPod-compatible for most audiobooks
but only some will work with Mac computers. The WMA Audiobooks work only with PC based machines and
Window Media compatible portable players and devices. Please see
the 'Plays on' icons that display with each title for
compatibility assistance.
What Kind of Device (MP3 Player) should I use?
Choose a device that will play WMA files for access to all
eAudiobooks. You may also want to look for a "bookmark"
feature that will register the place where you stopped listening.
Do I need any software on my
computer to listen to NetLibrary eAudiobooks?
NetLibrary: Yes. You will need Windows Media
Player version 9 or higher, or iTunes to use with an iPod. You may also choose
to download the NetLibrary Media
Center. Both are available free. (If you are using the Media
Center, make sure you have the latest version. There have
been important updates).
Overdrive: Yes. For Windows computers, you will need Windows Media Player version 9 or
higher, and Overdrive Media Console. For Mac computers, you
will need iTunes, Quicktime, and the Overdrive Media Console. Can I burn to a CD?
NetLibrary: No.
Overdrive: You may burn some titles to a CD.
Check the "plays on" icons that display with each title to see
if burning to a CD is allowed.
What are the lending rules?
NetLibrary: You may check out up to 10 titles at a time for up
to three weeks. You may not return a title before its
lending period is up. It stays checked out for 3 weeks and then is
automatically checked in. You will need to delete the file
on your computer or device.
Overdrive: You may check out up to 2 titles at a time
for up to one week. You may not return a title before its
lending period is up. It stays checked out for 1 week and
then is automatically checked in. You will need to delete
the file on your computer or device.
For More Information: Call the
reference desk at 871-1725, email us at reference@portland.lib.me.us,
or visit the NetLibrary and Overdrive
sites.
NetLibrary: Visit the NetLibrary
eAudiobook Center and click on Help at the upper right hand
side. To set up an account, visit any PPL branch
or call the
reference desk at 871-1725.
Overdrive: Visit the Overdrive
Maine Infonet Download Library and look under Getting Started
for a quickstart guide, more FAQ, and checkout assistance. |
