Digital Media Downloads/OverDrive - Questions Frequently Asked by CBRL Patrons (FAQs)
Q: How many items can I have checked out at the same time?
Q: Can I renew the items I have checked out?
Q:
Are eBooks and audiobooks always available for me to download? Can they be
checked out by
multiple people at once because they are digital and not "real?"
Q: How long can I
have OverDrive eBooks checked out?
Q:
Why would you want to take out an eBook for only 1 week?
Q: How do I
return items early?
Q: I successfully downloaded a digital audiobook or eBook, but I can't find it. Why?
Q: Why won't my
iPod/iPod Touch/iPad work
correctly with OverDrive?
Q: What is the Windows Media Player
Security Update?
Why can't I get the Windows Media Player Security Update to install properly?
Q: How do I activate Adobe Digital
Editions on my Computer and/or eReader Device?
Q: I've checked out my title, and
I've already downloaded it three times, clicked on the
download button three times, or tried to download the remaining parts to my
digital audiobook
-- but it won't let me download anymore. Why?
Q:
How many items can I have checked out at the same time?
A:
You
may have up to ten eBooks and audiobooks checked out at any given time.
Q:
Can I renew items I have checked out?
A:
Ebooks and audiobooks
cannot be renewed. When the items you have checked out expire,
however, you may check them out
again if they are still available (i.e. if no one else has placed a hold on the
item).
Q:
Are eBooks and audiobooks always available for me to download? Can they be
checked out by multiple people at once because they are digital and not "real?"
A: eBooks
and digital audiobooks are always available to download in terms of the
OverDrive service being accessible 24/7,
but only titles marked 'Always Available' can be downloaded by multiple people
at once, unless the library has purchased multiple copies of a title.
The publisher of a given eBook or audiobook sets the terms and conditions for
each title, and the library must accept these
terms when we purchase materials for our collection.
When searching for titles on the OverDrive site, you will be able to add items
that are currently available to your Digital Bookbag, and you may place a hold
on items that are currently signed out to someone else. If you place a hold, you
will receive an
email notification as soon as the title is available and then you can check out,
download, and enjoy.
Q:
How long can I have OverDrive
eBooks checked out?
A: The
default loan period is the same as with regular library books and audiobooks - 2
weeks. With OverDrive, however, you have the option of checking items out for 1
week or 3 weeks. You can do this either on the screen just before the “Checkout”
screen, when checking out books digitally, or in your OverDrive account, where you can set your default to 1, 2 or 3 weeks
for all items.
Q:
Why would you want to return an eBook after only 1 week?
A:
Several reasons: First, you can have 10 digital books (e and audio combined) out at one time, so if
you can finish a book in a week and want more, 1 week makes sense. Second,
unlike e-books, you
cannot return digital audiobooks early, so you are stuck with one on your
account for 3 weeks (if you choose that option) even if you are done with it.
Q:
How do I return items early?
Q:
When a title that I have placed on hold becomes available for me to
check out, how much time do I have to check out the title before the hold
expires?
Q:
I successfully downloaded a digital audiobook or eBook, but I can't
find it.
Q:
I just bought a Sony Reader. Is there anything I should know before
installing the software that comes with it?
If you have Windows 7 or Windows Vista:
A:
To return eBooks with Adobe Digital Editions (e.g. If you have a Kobo eReader,
Kobo Touch, or Sony eReader):
1. Go into Adobe Digital Editions in 'Library View' (select
library view by clicking on
the picture of three book-ends on the
upper-left-hand-corner of the program screen).
2. Click on the picture of the book you want to return. The
books you have should
appear on the right-hand portion of
your screen, which is your 'digital library.'
3. Click on the small arrow on the upper-left-hand-corner of
the the book picture
4. Click 'Return Borrowed Item' and follow the instructions.
5. The item should now be returned to the library and deleted from your computer
and library account.
To return eBooks with OverDrive Media Console for iPad/iPhone:
1. Open the OverDrive Media Console app. From the library screen, swipe across the eBook you want to delete.
2. A 'Delete' button is displayed next to the title toward the right
side of the screen.
3. Select 'Delete' to display the return options.
4. Select 'Return and Delete.'
5. The item should now be returned to the library and deleted from your
device and library account.
To return eBooks and audiobooks with OverDrive Media Console for Android (e.g. If you have a
Kobo Vox):
1. Open the OverDrive Media Console app. From the library screen, tap and hold
the eBook you want to delete.
2. A 'Delete' button will appear. Select this button to display delete
options.
3. Tap 'Return then Delete.'
4. The item should now be returned to the library and deleted from your
device and library account.
A:
When the title you have placed on hold becomes available, you will receive an
e-mail indicating that the title is now available with instructions on how to
check out the item. If you do not check out the title within five days
from the time the e-mail was sent, the hold will expire and the item will made
available to the next patron waiting in the hold queue or returned to the
library's collection.
Why?
A:
When you click on the 'Download' button for any title in your digital checkouts,
a box should pop up on your screen asking you what you would like to do with
that file. In the case of Mozilla Firefox, the box will have two options. The
first option, which should be selected by default, should be 'Open With (either
OverDrive Media Console for digital audiobooks OR Adobe Digital Editions for
e-books). Selecting this option will cause the appropriate software to
automatically download and load your file. This is the option you will always
want to select. Never select the second option. The second option will give you
the option to save the file somewhere on your computer.
With the Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) browser, the options are similar. With IE,
you want to select the 'Run' option, which should be the default option. This
should 'run' the appropriate software, downloading, opening, and loading your
file automatically.
If some other software opens your files besides Adobe Digital
Editions (for eBooks) or OverDrive Media Console (for audiobooks) you will have
to change your file permissions to make ADE and/or OMC the default software for
your OverDrive files. Instructions on how to do this for eBooks can be found
here under "When I download an eBook, it opens in Sony® eBook
Library Software instead of Adobe Digital Editions. What should I do?" Instructions on how to do this
for audiobooks can be found
here under "Instead of the OverDrive WMA Audiobook I
expected, I downloaded a file with the extension 'ODM'. Where is the audiobook?"
A:
Yes. Please go
to this page before installing the Sony Reader Library software. You
may also want to try changing the file associations so that .acsm and .EPUB
files are opened with Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) software, rather than Sony
Reader Library software. Follow the instructions below to change the file
association settings on your computer. If you are still having problems
with the Sony Reader Library software taking over your .EPUB/.acsm file
associations after following these instructions, please uninstall Sony Reader
Library, and then reinstall it being sure to follow the suggestion from the
above link.
1. Go to Start > Control
Panel > Default Programs.
2. Click 'Associate a
file type or protocol with a program.'
The computer lists the
file types used on your system. It can take a few moments for the list to be available.
3. Select 'ACSM' and
click 'Change Program'.
4. Click the 'Browse…' button. A second 'Open With'
dialog box is displayed.
5. Go to C: > Program
Files > Adobe > Adobe Digital Editions and select 'digitaleditions.exe'.
6. Click 'Open'. Your computer is now set to open .acsm files in Adobe
Digital Editions.
*Repeat this process for
the EPUB file type*
If you have Windows XP
or an earlier version of Windows:
1. Open 'My Computer'.
2. Select Tools > Folder Options. The 'Folder Options'
dialog box is displayed.
3. Select the 'File
Types' tab.
4. Select '.acsm' and
click 'Change'. A list of programs is
displayed.
5. Select 'Adobe Digital
Editions'.
6. Click 'OK'. Your computer is now set to open .acsm files in Adobe
Digital Editions.
*Repeat this process for
the EPUB file type*
If you have a Mac:
1. If you haven't downloaded an eBook from
the OverDrive website on your computer in the past, download one now.
2. Open the Finder application.
3. In Finder's search box in the upper right-hand corner, type in .acsm and
press enter. After locating an .acsm file, control-click the file and
select 'Get Info.'
4. Expand the 'Open with' option. You may have to select 'Other' to view a
complete list of Applications.
5. In the list of applications displayed, select Adobe Digital Editions. Check
the 'Always Open With' checkbox. Your computer is now set to open .acsm files in
ADE.
*Repeat this process for the EPUB file type*
A:
There
are a number of reasons why your iPod may not work correctly with OverDrive:
-Check out
OverDrive's 'Supported Devices' page to see if your model of iPod is supported by OverDrive.
-The iPod Touch, iPhone,
and iPad require different software to function. They have a special version of
OverDrive Media Console (OMC) which allows both playback of audiobooks AND
viewing of e-books. The link to download it is on the OverDrive/Digital Media
Downloads website, under the OverDrive Media Console link. From there you follow
a link to the software, which is designed as an app.
- Have you checked the title you are downloading/transferring
to ensure it is compatible with iPods? When you are
searching for items on the
on the Nova Scotia Public Libraries Digital Media Downloads/OverDrive
website, you will see that audiobooks
that are compatible with
iPods will have a little coloured iPod symbol and also state they are compatible
in their details.
-You also have to have the latest version of iTunes
installed to use OverDrive with your iPod and your iPod has to be set to
'manually manage music.' Adjust this setting as follows:
1. Connect your device to your computer.
2. If it does not launch automatically, open iTunes.
3. In iTunes, locate your device in the left vertical
navigation panel (under heading 'DEVICES'), and click your device.
4. The 'Summary' screen is displayed.
5. If it is not already checked, place a checkmark next to option 'Manually
manage music…'
6. Click the 'Apply' button.
7. The iTunes 'Summary' screen refreshes, and your changes
are saved.
Q:What is the Windows Media Player Security Update? Why can't I get the
Windows Media Player Security Update
to install properly?
A: The
Windows Media Player Security Update is an 'update' which is necessary for you
to use the OverDrive Digital Media Console (OMC) software and library audiobooks, on your computer. The update makes Microsoft's Windows Media Player
(which is also required to be installed for our digital audiobooks to work on
your computer) compatible with DRM files. 'DRM' stands for 'Digital Rights
Management' and involves special security settings which protect the copyright
of the digital audiobooks you download.
The OverDrive Media Console (OMC) software will usually prompt you to install
the update the first time your run it, unless you already have it installed for
some reason or something goes wrong.
If you did not install the update the first time you ran OMC and still need it
to be installed, do the following:
-Update your version of Windows Media Player to the latest
version. You can do this easily by running 'Windows Update' or
by going to the Microsoft Windows Update website. Windows update will also
automatically prompt you to update your software if you have 'automatic
updates' turned on.
-Next, open OverDrive Media Console. Go to the 'tools' menu
on the upper-left-hand corner of OMC. Click it with your
left mouse button. You will see two options appear. The very first option is
"Windows Media Player Security Upgrade." Make sure you are connected to the
internet, and click this option with your left mouse button. Follow the steps it presents
to you and the update should be installed.
-If the
update does not seem to work and you still cannot play digital audiobook files,
here are some steps to try:
1) Your web browser's pop-up blocker might be blocking the
license acquisition tab when you try to download the update.
Temporarily turn off your brower's pop-up blocker and try again.
2) Make sure your Windows Firewall, or any other firewall, is
not blocking Windows Media Player or OverDrive Media
Console from accessing the internet. The setting for Windows Firewall are found in
your Microsoft Windows 'Control Panel' section.
3) If steps 1 and 2 produce no results, go to the following
link with Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web Browser:
http://drmlicense.one.microsoft.com/indivsite/en/indivit.asp. Once at the
site, click on 'upgrade' and follow any
instructions to finally install the update.
4) If you still cannot get it to work, contact
cbrl-support@nssc.library.ns.ca
with a full description of your problem,
including your operating system, web browser, your name, and library
barcode.
Q:How do I activate
Adobe Digital Editions on my Computer and/or E-Reader Device?
A: To Activate Adobe
Digital Editions on your computer, using an Adobe ID:
1. Open Adobe Digital Editions for the first time.
2. The 'Setup Assistant' dialog box is displayed.
3. Click 'Continue.'
4. The 'Authorize Computer' screen is displayed.
5. In the appropriate fields, enter the email address and password for your
Adobe
ID.
6. If you do not already have an Adobe ID, click 'get an Adobe ID online' and
follow the instructions to sign up for an Adobe ID.
7. Click 'Activate.'
8. Your computer is activated to your Adobe ID.
9. Click 'Finish' to close the 'Setup Assistant' dialog box.
To Activate/Authorize Adobe Digital Editions
after the first time you
use it, do the following:
1. Open Adobe Digital Editions.
2. Make sure it is in "Library View." If it is not, click on the 'Go to Library
View' button (a little picture with three book-ends on it) in the upper left-hand corner of the program screen.
3. Click where it says 'Library' on the upper left-hand corner of the program screen (to the right of the book icons).
4. Click on 'Authorize Computer.'
5. Follow steps 2-9 above.
To Activate a
supported eBook device using an Adobe ID:
1. Connect the eBook device to your computer.
2. Open Adobe Digital Editions.
3. Adobe Digital Editions launches and detects the eBook device. The 'Device
Setup Assistant' dialog box is displayed.
4. Click 'Authorize Device'.
5. Adobe Digital Editions activates the eBook device. You can now transfer
DRM-protected Adobe eBooks to the device.
6. Note that both Adobe Digital Editions and the eBook device must be
activated
with the same Adobe ID to transfer DRM-protected Adobe eBooks
to the
device.
To Activate a supported Sony® Reader using an Adobe ID:
1. Please note that you must have the Sony Reader Library software installed on your computer to transfer Adobe eBooks to the Sony Reader. To
download Sony Reader firmware upgrades and the Sony eBook Library software,
click here. The Sony Reader Library software will attempt to become the
default program for your e-books. To stop it from taking over, please follow
the advice on this page when installing
the software. Please note that the display of Adobe eBooks on Sony Readers may
vary, depending on the nature of the content.
1. Connect the eBook device to your computer.
2. Open Adobe Digital Editions.
3. Adobe Digital Editions launches and detects the eBook
device. The Device
Setup Assistant' dialog box is displayed. If the Sony Reader Library software launches instead: Close Adobe Digital Editions, Close the Sony Reader Library software and any other open
programs. Uninstall the Sony Reader Library software and reinstall it being
sure to follow this advice.
4. Click 'Authorize Device.'
5. Adobe Digital Editions activates the eBook device. You
can now transfer DRM-protected Adobe eBooks to the device.
6. Note that to transfer Adobe eBooks to a supported eBook device, Adobe
Digital
Editions and the eBook device must be activated using the same
Adobe ID.
For more information, look at the 'Help' and 'Getting Started' sections of the Nova Scotia Public Libraries Digital Media Downloads Website. There you will find many more FAQs, lists of supported audio and e-book devices and much more.
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