OverDrive Media Console Mobile App Update & Your Adobe ID

On May 29th, OverDrive will release an update to the OverDrive Media Console mobile app for iOS (Apple devices) and Android. Apple users will be required to reauthorize their Adobe ID after performing the update.

If you are in the middle of reading an eBook, be sure to sign into the same Adobe ID account! If you create a new account, the eBook you are reading will no longer be authorized to you and you will not be able to continue reading the book.

Note the "Forgot password?" link to have your password sent to your email account.  

Android users will not need to sign back into their Adobe accounts. Apple users who only listen to MP3 audiobooks on the app will not need to sign in with an Adobe ID. 

Read More

Enjoying EPUB eBooks on an iPad with the OverDrive Media Console

Installing the OverDrive Media Console App on an Android Device

Returning MP3 Audiobooks and EPUB eBooks Early to the Collection

Returning Books Early from the OverDrive Media Console Mobile App

You never have to return eBooks or audiobooks early to the collection, but some formats can be returned early. The OverDrive Media Console mobile app will automatically block your access when the loan period ends, removing it from your account and prompting you to delete the title from the app. But if you finish the book early, you can return the MP3 audiobook or Adobe EPUB eBook to the collection from the OMC app.

From the app's bookshelf, tap the small plus symbol to return the title. Be sure to return then delete the title. Deleting the title will not remove it from your account.

These instructions apply to all versions of the OverDrive Media Console mobile app.

Read More

Reading EPUB eBooks with OverDrive Media Console App
Returning Kindle Books Early
Returning Kindle Books Immediately
WMA audiobooks can never be returned early.
Open EPUB eBooks can never be returned early. 

Reading EPUB eBooks on an iPad

With the use of the OverDrive Media Console mobile app for iOS, you can enjoy EPUB eBooks on your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch.

Note that these instructions very nearly apply to all phones and tablets that have a compatible version of the OverDrive Media Console mobile app, such as Android phones and tablets, Nook Color, Nook Tablet, Nook HD, Nook HD+, Kindle Fire, Blackberry, and Windows phone and Surface tablet.


Having trouble viewing the embedded document on your iPad? Get the EPUB version of the handout and open it with iBooks.

Read More

Kindle Books on an iPad
MP3 Audiobooks for Mac Users (iPod Transfer)

Kindle Books on an iPad

You can browse the NH Downloadable Books collection, checkout a Kindle Book and read the eBook all on your iPad or iPad Mini.


Having trouble seeing the embedded document on your iPad? Download the EPUB version of the handout onto your iPad and open it with iBooks.

Read More

Complete Kindle Book Handout
Return a Kindle Book Immediately
Return a Kindle Book Early

MP3 Audiobooks for Mac Users Handout

Mac users can download and enjoy MP3 audiobooks to their computer and transfer the audiobooks to their iPods, iPhone, and iPads.

The WMA audiobooks can never be downloaded to a Mac or directly to any mobile player, phone, or tablet. All WMA audiobooks must be first downloaded to a Windows computer. The Windows computer contains the "key" to "unlock" the DRM (Digital Rights Management) of the WMA title. Note that Windows users with an Apple device can transfer WMA audiobooks to the iPod/iPad/iPhone.




Having trouble seeing the handout on your Apple device? Get the EPUB version of the handout to open in iBooks!

 

Read More

Transferring WMA Audiobooks from a Windows Computer to an iPod
Should You Select a WMA or MP3 Audiobook? 
Installing the OverDrive Media Console Mobile App 
Enjoying MP3 Audiobooks on the OMC App
Troubleshooting MP3 Audiobooks Playing Out of Order

Installing the OverDrive Media Console Mobile App

It is possible to download and read EPUB eBooks and listen to MP3 Audiobooks on the go by installing the OverDrive Media Console mobile app on a wide variety of mobile devices:

• Android phones and tablets, including the popular Nexus devices
• eBook reading tablets like the Kindle Fire, Nook Color, Nook Tablet, Nook HD, Nook HD+
• Apple iOS devices, including the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, iPad Mini
• Blackberry phones
• Windows 7 phone and Microsoft Surface RT tablet. 

 

Installing the OMC App for Android

• The OverDrive Media Console mobile app can be found in the Google Play store on the Nexus.

Note: The OMC mobile app can also be found in the Kindle App Store for the Kindle Fire and the Nook's App Store for Nook Color, Nook Table, Nook HD, and Nook HD+. Apple's iOS users will find the OverDrive Media Console app for iPads and iPhones (and iPod Touches) in the "App Store" app on their apple device. Install the app as you would install any other app you've added to your device.

• From Google Play, search for the OverDrive Media Console app.
• Once you locate the app, tap install.

• Accept the agreement to continue the installation.
• You can watch the download and installation progress from the notification bar a the top of the screen.

• Open the app.

You may or may not get prompted to add your Adobe ID. The app must be authorized with a free Adobe ID before an Adobe EPUB title can be fulling downloaded and opened. You will be also be prompted to register your app with an Adobe ID when you download your first Adobe EPUB eBook. It is not necessary to authorize the app for MP3 audiobook downloads.

At this point, you have the choice of using the OMC mobile app's browser (which is built into the app itself) OR the web browser installed on your device (Safari or Chrome, for example) to browse the NHDB site and download eBooks and audiobooks. Either method works equally well with Android devices at this moment. However, when using an Apple device, please use the Safari web browser to visit our site. The OMC app for iOS needs to be updated to show the new "Next Gen" OverDrive website. 

Read More

Enjoying MP3 Audiobooks with the OverDrive Media Console Mobile App
The OverDrive READ eBook Format on a Nexus 7 or Android Device  
The OverDrive READ eBook Format on an iPad

Enjoying MP3 Audiobooks with the OverDrive Media Console Mobile App

It is possible to download and listen to MP3 audiobooks on the go by installing the OverDrive Media Console mobile app on a wide variety of mobile devices:

• Android phones and tablets, including the popular Nexus devices
• eBook reading tablets like the Kindle Fire, Nook Color, Nook Tablet, Nook HD, Nook HD+
• Apple iOS devices, including the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, iPad Mini
• Blackberry phones
• Windows 7 phone and Microsoft Surface RT tablet.

 

Desktop Computer Transfer

Note that it is also possible to download MP3 audiobooks to a Windows or Mac computer and transfer the MP3 audiobook to the mobile device with a cable directly to the device's music player.

Apple products and other WMA-compatible devices can also play WMA audiobooks, provided the WMA audiobook is first downloaded to a Windows computer and transferred to the device with the use of a cable and the OverDrive Media Console for Windows (and iTunes when using an Apple device). Note that from the list of devices above, only the Apple devices can be used to listen to the WMA audiobooks. 

Read more about transferring a WMA audiobook to an iPod from a Windows computer.
Read more about transferring an MP3 audiobook to an iPod from a Windows computer.
Read more about transferring an MP3 audiobook to an iPod from a Mac computer. (Coming soon!)

Finding and Installing the OverDrive Media Console App for Your Device 

 

Install the OverDrive Media Console on your mobile device. Each device provides access to an app store. Here is an example of getting the app for the Google Nexus 7 Android device. Note that you may be prompted to register the app with a free Adobe ID. This is only necessary if you plan to read Adobe EPUB eBooks. It is not necessary to register the app to listen to MP3 audiobooks.

Using the NHDB Site 

 

Log into the NHDB site through the mobile web browser or the OMC app's mobile browser. Either method works equally well. I typically use the mobile browser (Safari, Chrome, etc.) to browse the NHDB site.

After logging into the site, click the "menu" icon and select an audiobook genre to start browsing.

 

The titles are automatically sorted by the newest added to the site. To see titles that are available to borrow immediately, click "Available Now."

Be aware that there is a glitch with the mobile site. After clicking "Available now" you'll see both audiobooks and eBooks. Scroll downwards to limit your results to audiobooks only.

When you see an audiobook that looks appealing to you, click on the cover to view more about the book.

Double-check that the title is available in MP3 audiobook format.
Note that mobile browsers will not display WMA audiobooks.

Click "Borrow" to checkout the audiobook.

Press "Download" to start downloading the audiobook.
The OverDrive Media Console opens automatically.

Note that audiobook files are very large. Take care when downloading audiobooks on your mobile device's cellular network. You may wish to wait to download the audiobook until you have access to a wireless network. 

Once one part has downloaded you can start listening to the audiobook!

Tap on the book cover or surrounding area to open the audiobook player.

Return to the Bookshelf to select another title from your downloaded EPUB eBooks or MP3 audiobooks.

Note that different versions of the OMC app have different ways to return to the app's bookshelf...

Android App on the Nexus 7

iOS App on iPhone

Returning the MP3 Audiobook Early 

The OverDrive Media Console mobile app will automatically block your access to the audiobook after seven days, removing it from your account and prompting you to delete the title from the app. But if you finish the audiobook early, you can return the MP3 audiobook to the collection from the OMC app.

From the app's bookshelf, tap the small plus symbol to return the title.

Read More

Reading EPUB eBooks with OverDrive Media Console App

Transferring a WMA Audiobook to an iPod

Once you've checked out and downloaded your WMA audiobook to the OverDrive Media Console for Windows, you are ready to transfer the audiobook to your Apple device.

Read More

Borrowing and Downloading an Audiobook
Transferring MP3 Audiobooks from a Windows Computer to an iPod/iPhone/iPad

A Note about iPod Compatibility 

In order to transfer WMA audiobooks from a PC (not a Mac computer), you must have both the OverDrive Media Console and iTunes installed on your computer. If you are a PC user who owns an iPod, it is likely that you already use iTunes. Be sure that you are using the most recent release (from the Help menu >> Check for Updates). If you don’t already sync your device to a computer, you’ll need to install iTunes and authorize it with your same iTunes ID and password as used to purchase items on your Apple device. 

Download iTunes for free from: http://www.apple.com/itunes/ 

If you are a Mac user you will not be able to download WMA audiobooks to your Mac computer. We do not recommend connecting and syncing your (Mac-synced) iPod to a new computer in order to get audiobooks. When you connect to a different computer, all of the data (songs, videos, apps) will be erased and replaced the data from the new computer. Eeks! Think carefully before taking this step.

Transfer Tips for iPod Users

Patience 

• Download the WMA audiobook to the OverDrive Media Player program on your Windows computer. 
• Attach your iPod/iPhone/iPad to the computer with the USB cable. 
• Wait. 
• Let the device sync, backup, transfer purchases, and update as needed. Don’t try to transfer the audiobook until all of this has finished. 

Manually Manage Music

• You must have the device set to “Manually Manage Music (and Video). From the left sidebar >> Click on your device name >> Stay on the Summary page >> Scroll down to see “Manually Manage Music (and Video) >> Select >> Apply. Be sure to apply the changes!

Change Import Settings 

You will also need to make a quick change to the import settings in iTunes.

• Open iTunes. 
• From the “Edit” menu, click “Preferences.” 
• From the “General” tab, click “Import Settings” button. 
• Change the Settings to “Spoken Podcast” and click “OK.” 

Why Change the Import Settings? 

When transferring the WMA audiobook file to an iPod, the WMA file is converted to an iPod-friendly AAC file. This conversion/transfer can take 2-4 minutes per part. The OMC software prompts the patron to change the iTunes import settings from “High Quality” to “Spoken Podcast.” Doing so will significantly reduce the transfer time.

The changes to the iTunes settings only need to be done once. You are now ready to transfer the audiobook to your iPod.

Transferring a WMA Audiobook from a Windows computer to an iPod/iPhone/iPad

• Open the OverDrive Media Console. 
• Click once on the audiobook you wish to transfer. It should now be blue. 
• Click the Transfer button and the Transfer Wizard will open. 

• The first screen of the transfer wizard shows you the title. The second screen detects your player…

• Each part will take 2-4 minutes to convert and transfer to the iPod. Watch the progress in both the OMC and iTunes.

• After the first part is successfully transferred to your iPod, a new playlist will show up on the left sidebar of iTunes, beneath the name of your device.

• Wait for all parts to finish downloading. Close the OMC Transfer Wizard when prompted to do so and safely disconnect your device. 
• Note: The WMA audiobooks can be found in different places for different Apple devices. 
• iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch: Music app >> Playlist 
• iPod Nano: Audiobooks

Read More

Transferring an MP3 audiobook from a Windows computer to an Apple device

Transferring an MP3 Audiobook to an iPod/iPhone/iPad

These are instructions for transferring an MP3 audiobook from a Windows computer to an Apple iPhone, iPod, or iPad.

Once you've checked out and downloaded your MP3 audiobook to the OverDrive Media Console for Windows, you are ready to transfer the audiobook to your Apple device. 

A Note about iPod Compatibility 
In order to transfer MP3 audiobooks from a PC to an Apple device, you must have both the OverDrive Media Console and iTunes installed on your computer. If you are a PC user who owns an iPod, it is likely that you already use iTunes. Be sure that you are using the most recent release (from the Help menu >> Check for Updates). If you don’t already sync your iOS device to a computer, you’ll need to install iTunes and authorize it with your same iTunes ID and password as used to purchase items on your Apple device. 

Download iTunes for free from: http://www.apple.com/itunes/ 

Transfer Tips for iPod Users

Patience 

• Download the WMA or MP3 audiobook to the OverDrive Media Player program on your Windows computer. 
• Attach your iPod/iPhone/iPad to the computer with the USB cable. 
• Wait. 
• Let the device sync, backup, transfer purchases, and update as needed. Don’t try to transfer the audiobook until all of this has finished. 

Manually Manage Music

• You must have the device set to “Manually Manage Music (and Video). From the left sidebar >> Click on your device name >> Stay on the Summary page >> Scroll down to see “Manually Manage Music (and Video) >> Select >> Apply. Be sure to apply the changes!

Change Import Settings 

You will also need to make a quick change to the import settings in iTunes.

• Open iTunes. 
• From the “Edit” menu, click “Preferences.” 
• From the “General” tab, click “Import Settings” button. 
• Change the Settings to “Spoken Podcast” and click “OK.” 

Why Change the Import Settings? 

When transferring the WMA audiobook file to an iPod, the WMA file is converted to an iPod-friendly AAC file. This conversion/transfer can take 2-4 minutes per part. The OMC software prompts the patron to change the iTunes import settings from “High Quality” to “Spoken Podcast.” Doing so will significantly reduce the transfer time.

The changes to the iTunes settings only need to be done once. You are now ready to transfer the audiobook to your iPod. 

Transferring the MP3 Audiobook to your Apple Device on a Windows Computer

• Open the OverDrive Media Console. 
• Click once on the audiobook you wish to transfer. It should now be blue. 
• Click the Transfer button and the Transfer Wizard will open.

• The first screen only shows the name of the title and format. Press “Next.” 
• The second screen shows you the name of your iPod. (Success!) Press “Next."

• An MP3 audiobook should transfer through iTunes to your device very quickly. Watch the progress happen in iTunes, too.

• Close the OMC Transfer Wizard when prompted, but leave the iPod connected and iTunes open.

Finding Your MP3 Audiobook
Note that your audiobook will not be located in iTunes itself; it will be loaded on your device.

• MP3 audiobooks will be in your Music folder on your iPod. 
• While the device is still plugged into the computer and recognized by iTunes: 
• Click on your device from the right-sidebar. 
• If you don’t see a “Books” folder directly under your device, click the small arrow immediately to the left of the device name to view the folders in your iPod.

Adding Metadata to Your MP3 Audiobook
The MP3 audiobooks don’t have metadata to let iTunes know that it’s really an audiobook. It will be located in your “Music” folder on your iPod. Adding some information to the audiobook parts will keep the audiobook from shuffling and player will remember your location in the book.

• From iTunes >> Device >> Music >> Find your audiobook.
• Select all of the parts together. Shift-click to select all parts. 
• Right-click anywhere on the selected parts. 
• Click “Get Info.”
• From the “Options” tab, change the following: 
• Media Kind: Audiobook 
• Part of a Compilation: Yes 
• Remember Position: Yes 
• Skip when Shuffling: Yes 
• Make sure each of these options is checked, too.

• The audibook will quickly move from the “Music” folder to the “Audiobooks” folder. 

Read More

Transferring a WMA Audiobook to an iPod/iPhone/iPad

Using the OverDrive Media Console App to Listen to MP3 Audiobooks

Borrowing and Downloading an Audiobook

Here are the steps to download an audiobook to a Windows computer:  

When you find an audiobook that is available for checkout, click on the book cover to learn more about the title, listen to a sample, and borrow the book. 

• Make sure the title is available in the correct format. (It’s easy to get involved browsing the collection and accidentally check out an eBook!)
• Click the “Borrow” button to check out the audiobook.

•  The “Borrow” button now shows “Go to Bookshelf.” Click to visit your bookshelf.

• Select and confirm a format...

• iPod users are urged to select the MP3 format whenever it is offered as a choice. The MP3 transfer is very fast, whereas the WMA transfer to an iPod takes 2-4 minutes per part to transfer.
• The audiobook is now checked out to you. 
• Take note of the time you’ll have to enjoy the audiobook. 
• Since you have already downloaded and installed the OverDrive Media Console, click “Download (MP3 Audiobook)."

• A new dialog box will pop up… 
• Every browser will handle this next action differently: 
• Firefox will ask if you want to “Open with OverDrive Media Console” or “Save.” Always select “Open” and the OMC program will open correctly. 
• Chrome will ask if you where you want to save the file. Select “Desktop” and save the file. It will be temporarily downloaded to the lower-left corner of your browser screen. Click the file name in the lower-left corner and the OMC program will open correctly. 
• Internet Explorer will either automatically open the file with OMC or ask if you wish to open or save the file. Open the file and the OMC program will open the file correctly.

• Allow the file to download to the default location. Changing the location is problematic! 

• Download all of the parts at once unless you use slower satellite or dial-up internet service, then you might wish to download one part at a time. (Be sure to download additional parts from the “Download” button at the top of the OMC program, not the website.

• Watch the download process from the bottom-left corner of the OMC software. 

• Once the audiobook has completely downloaded, you can listen to it on your computer, transfer it to a compatible player, or, in some cases, burn it to CDs.

Read More

• Should You Check Out An MP3 or WMA Audiobook?
• Transferring a WMA Audiobook to an iPod from a Windows Computer
• Transferring an MP3 Audiobook to an iPod from a Windows Computer

Adding the Site to Your iPad Home Screen

Did you know that you can bookmark the NH Downloadable Books site to your iPad/iPhone/iPod's home screen? You might have noticed that the website inside the OverDrive Media Console app on your mobile device hasn't been updated to the new site. The old site doesn't allow you to take advantage of the great new OverDrive READ format eBook. Here's how to remember to visit the new site:

• Open Safari and visit our site at: http://nh.lib.overdrive.com
• Click on the small arrow at the bottom of the screen. 

• Tap "Add to Home Screen."

• Rename the shortcut, if desired...

• Now you have a shortcut to our new Next Gen site on your home screen! 

Read More:
Clearing the cache on a Google Nexus to see the new NHDB site.
If OverDrive READ doesn't load on an iPad

If OverDrive READ Doesn't Load on iPad

Here's what to do if the OverDrive READ format does not load properly on your Apple device:

• Close Safari and open the Settings app.
• In Settings, browse for Safari.
• Tap on Safari...
• Clear History.
• Clear Cookies and Data. (You will lose your saved web logins!)
• Turn off Private Browsing.

Close the Settings app and reopen the Safari app. You will have to log back into the NHDB website. Return to your account and open the title again in the READ format. The title should fully load now.

Checking Out the OverDrive READ Format on an iPad

The new OverDrive READ format uses HTML5 technology to save the entire eBook in your browser. How is this different from using the Kindle or OverDrive Media Console app?

• No registration needed
• No additional app needed
• No Adobe ID needed (OMC app only)
• No Amazon account needed (Kindle app only)
• The OverDrive READ book opens in a new tab on your browser!

Of note: The OverDrive READ format works better in some browsers than others. In some cases, like with the Nook Tablet I experimented with, it was more enjoyable to read the book in the Adobe EPUB format in the OMC app than in the new READ format. Experiment yourself and share your results with your local librarian! 

Log into the site and browse for eBooks as you would on a desktop computer. Narrow your results by format by selecting "OverDrive READ" from the Format section. See: Browsing for eBooks. 

Check to make sure the eBook is available in the OverDrive READ format.

Click the "Borrow" button...

Click the "Read (in your browser)" button. A new tab will open with the eBook. 

(Click on any image to enlarge...)

After the file finishes loading, look at the tips panel and tap "OK" to get rid of it. Pull the page down to see reader options. 

More options can be found by swiping from right to left... 

You can either bookmark the site (book) or save the site to your home screen. Adding an icon to your home screen is a great way to remember the book!

Now you have an icon to remind you to start reading!