Overdrive Audiobooks Quick Start Guide

July 7, 2006

Overview

Step 1: Download & Install Overdrive Audiobook Software

Step 2: Register Your Free Software

Step 3: Check Out and Enjoy Overdrive Audiobooks

Step 4: What if I Need More Help?

Overview

Overdrive Audiobooks are the digital audio versions of print books and can be used on a variety of devices such as PCs, laptops, and supported MP3 players. This site offers digital audio books in the OverDrive Media Console™ format. To access Overdrive Audiobooks at from the Milwaukee County Federated Library System, you will need:

* A valid library card

* Access to the Internet

* Free software for the device on which you wish to use your Overdrive Audiobook

Please note that Overdrive Audiobooks can be enjoyed at home, at work, or when you travel, but are generally not for use on the computers in your library.

Step 1: Download & Install Overdrive Audiobook Software

As a first step, you will need to install free software on the machine(s) on which you want to use Overdrive Audiobooks.

To read more about the free software and to review system requirements and instructions for download, use the link below:

· OverDrive Media Console -- Required for listening to digital audio books.

o http://dbooks.wplc.info and click on the Digital Book FAQ link

Step 2: Register Your Free Software

Before you check out an Overdrive Audiobook, you'll need to register your free software. You only need to register the software once for each machine on which you'll access Overdrive Audiobooks.

OverDrive Media Console utilizes Windows Media Player® 9 Series to play audio files, burn audio book files to CD, and transfer files to portable devices. The first time that Windows Media Player attempts to open a protected file, it will alert you that a Security Update must be performed before the file may be opened. The update takes just a few moments, and is a one-time process that must be performed before Microsoft Windows Media Player will allow any copyright-protected files to be played.

Step 3: Check Out and Enjoy Overdrive Audiobooks

You can browse or search this site for Overdrive Audiobooks:

http://dbooks.wplc.info/

When you locate a title of interest, simply add it to your cart and check out the title. If the desired audiobook is not available, you may place a hold on the title. The checkout period is currently set at 7 days and the limit on checked out items is 2.

In addition, if you place a hold on a title, you have 3 days to checkout the audiobook after an email is sent out notifying you that it is available, otherwise the next person in the queue receives notification. You can have a maximum of 5 items on your waiting list.

When placing a hold or checking out a title, you will be required to choose your library system (Milwaukee County Federated Library System) and enter your library card number.

Once you have checked out the Overdrive Audiobook, a download page will be displayed. Click the download link to download your audiobook. Once the download is complete, you can close your Internet connection and enjoy your Overdrive Audiobook offline.

You will never accrue late fees with Overdrive Audiobooks. At the end of the Overdrive Audiobook loan period, the title will expire and be automatically 'returned' to the library. At this time, you can delete the expired file from your machine. Please be aware that early returns and renewals are not possible at this time.

For more complete information on installation, troubleshooting and the checkout process, go to http://dbooks.wplc.info and click on the Digital Book FAQ link.

Step 4: What if I Need More Help?

If you have viewed the online help at http://dbooks.wplc.info and still need assistance, contact your local library and be prepared to offer the following information.

• Library card number
• Operating System (Windows 98 SE, etc.)
• Internet browser and version (Internet Explorer 6.0, Netscape 4.8, etc. In most browsers, find this under Help > About.)
• Internet Service Provider (Earthlink, MSN, AOL, etc.)
• Is a firewall in operation (yes or no)
• If applicable, MP3 device type and operating system
• Title(s) of problem digital book(s)
• Exact text of any error message (screen shots are extremely helpful)
• URL of any error pages
• Steps to reproduce the problem
  
  
  

System Requirements for
OverDrive Media Console for Windows® PCs/Tablet PCs/Laptops

• Operating system:
• Microsoft® Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), Windows 2000 (Professional or Server), Windows Millennium Edition (ME), Windows XP (Home Edition or Professional)
• Processor:
• A 233 megahertz (MHz) processor, such as an Intel Pentium II or Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) processor
• RAM:
• 64 megabytes (MB)
• Free hard disk space:
• 100 MB
• Sound card:
• 16-bit sound card
• Video adapter and monitor:
• Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution
• Browser:
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 (or newer)
• Windows Media Player 9 Series (or newer)
• Supported MP3 Players:
• Must support the WMA (Windows Media Audio) file format. A list of MP3 players that support this format can be found at http://www.playsforsure.com

Steven Heser

Library Systems Administrator