OverDrive Media Console App on a Kindle Fire 2

With the use of the Kindle App Store, it's easy to install the OverDrive Media Console mobile app on both the first and second generation Kindle Fires.

These screenshots were taken with a second generation Kindle Fire, but it should be similar with a first gen device.

Start your Kindle Fire (Fire) and connect to a local wireless network. Tap "Apps" at the top of the device to find the App Store. Search for "OverDrive Media Console."

(Click to enlarge any image...)

Select the OverDrive Media Console app, purchase the free app, download it, and open it when it has installed. 

Note that you will always see this notice after opening the app. (I have yet to find a way to make it truly disappear... 

Click on the small "Get Books" icon and add a library. 

Type in your New Hampshire ZIP code for your local member library and select the NH Downloadable Books Consortium. 

Sign into the site with your library card number. (Note that some libraries require additional login information such as a PIN or prefix. 

Tap the small "Menu" icon to start browsing. Note the large, blue button to narrow the search results down to available titles? (The light gray icon means the title is checked out.) Read more about finding available titles.

Narrow your search results down by format, if necessary. Note the rotating your device 90 degrees shows a left-sidebar to the site? This is a helpful way to browse the site. 

Once you have found a book you'd like to read, click borrow. 

This is a great example of why it's handle to be omni-formatted! In order to use the Kindle Book version of this book you'd have to download the Kindle Book file to your computer and transfer the file to your Kindle Fire with a USB cable. Why? This title is published by Penguin and they do not allow wireless transfers of their books in Kindle format. Learn how to transfer a Kindle Book using a computer and USB cable. 

This title can be read in either Kindle Book (with USB cable transfer) or in EPUB eBook format. Tap the "Download" button to select a format. 

You are now in your web-based Account Bookshelf. Learn more about your account. Select EPUB eBook. 

Confirm your selection.

At this time, the file is typically downloaded to the OverDrive Media Console's bookshelf and is ready to read in moments. However, it is necessary to authorize the app with a free Adobe ID the first time you use it. We are prompted to do so at this time. The next time you download a title, you will not have to do this. If you don't have a free Adobe ID, get an ID. 

Fill out this simple form. Double check your spelling! Write down your ID (email address) and password immediately. (Trust a librarian on this!) If you don't wish to receive emails from Adobe, deselect the check box. 

Fabulous! You now have an Adobe ID. 

Now you have to go back to the OverDrive Media Console app and authorize the app with your ID and password. Here's how to find it. Tap on the small settings button.

Enter your email address and password. Be sure to check your spelling! Tap "Authorize."

The app communicates with the Adobe server... When you see "Deauthorize," you're all set!

Go to the app's Bookshelf to see your book. Tap on the book cover to start reading the book.  

When you are reading the book and want to return the main menu, tap on the center of the screen and tap the small back arrow at the bottom of the screen. 

To return the title back to the collection prior to the end of your 7 or 14-day loan period, click on the small plus sign next to the title. 

The OverDrive Media Console mobile app can be used on most phones and tablet devices, including Androids, Apple devices, Blackberry, Nook Tablets, and Windows 7 phones and Surface tablets. 

Thanks for the use of your Kindle Fire, Di!

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)

Borrowing an EPUB eBook for a Nook Simple Touch Handout

Patrons with Nook Simple Touch, Nook Color, Nook Tablet, and Kobo devices use the desktop program Adobe Digital Editions to download and transfer Adobe EPUB eBooks to their devices.

These instructions cover: 

• The installation of Adobe Digital Editions 2.0
• Finding and borrowing an available Adobe EPUB eBook from the NHDB collection
• Downloading the EPUB eBook to the desktop/laptop computer
• Transferring the EPUB eBook to the device
• Returning the Adobe EPUB eBook to the collection early with Adobe Digital Editions 2.0

Download the handout in Word format.

Adobe EPUB eBooks for Nook Simple Touch by

Note that Nook Color and Nook Tablet devices are also compatible with the OverDrive Media Console mobile app. The app can be found in and installed from the Nook's app store. The app itself needs to be authorized with an Adobe ID -- even if the device is already authorized with an Adobe ID from being connected to Adobe Digital Editions.

The Nook HD and Nook HD+ are not compatible with Adobe Digital Editions and cannot be used to transfer books from the computer. All eBook transfers are done through the OverDrive Media Console mobile app.

Read More

Getting to Know Your OverDrive Account
Installing the OverDrive Media Console Mobile App on a Nook Tablet
Borrowing an EPUB eBook with the OverDrive Media Console Mobile App

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

The OMC App and EPUB eBooks on the Nexus 7

It is possible to download and read EPUB eBooks 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.

Learn how to find and install the OverDrive Media Console mobile app for your device.

After you have successfully installed the OverDrive Media Console mobile app for your compatible device, 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 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.

Whether you use the browser built into the OverDrive Media Console app or Nexus' Chrome web browser...

• Visit our NHDB website.
• Log into the site with your library card number.
• Open the menu (the icon with three horizontal lines) to browse for eBooks. 
• Select fiction or nonfiction eBooks to start browsing. 

Note that you are seeing the newest eBooks added to the collection and they are most likely checked out by other library patrons.

•  To view eBooks that are available to borrow immediately, tap the "Available Now" button. 

Note that there is a glitch with the mobile site. After selecting "Available Now," all formats are shown, not just eBooks. To fix this, simply move down the page and tap "eBooks" to limit the results to eBooks.

• Find a title that looks interesting and tap on the cover to read more about the book. 

• Be sure to double-check that the title is available in the eBook format you want.
• There are two types of EPUB eBook formats. 
• Adobe EPUB eBooks contain DRM (Digital Rights Management), require the OMC app to be registered with an Adobe ID, and can be returned to the collection earlier than 14 days. 
• Open EPUB eBooks contain no DRM and cannot be returned to the collection earlier than 14 days. 
• Tap "Borrow" to checkout the book. 

You are brought to your Account >> Bookshelf where you can select a format and download the eBook.

Note that you have a variety of choices at this point! 

• If you are a Kindle customer and have the Kindle app installed on your device, you can get the Kindle Book (if available for that title) to read on the Kindle app. 
• You can choose to open the OverDrive READ format (if available for that title) in your browser -- no app, additional login, or ID required.
• Or you can continue with these instructions and download the Adobe EPUB or Open EPUB eBook using the OMC mobile app. 

• As soon as you select the EPUB eBook format and confirm the format, you can download the title.
• The OMC mobile app will open automatically.

• If you have not yet authorized the app with a free Adobe ID, you will be prompted to do so at this time. The app will open and give you the opportunity to registered the device or obtain a new ID.

• Register for a new ID, if necessary.

Remember to re-open the OMC app and registered the app. Tap the small "settings" button to find the Adobe registration. (The settings button can be seen in the image below. Look in the upper-right corner of the screen for the second button from the right with three horizontal lines.)

• Tap the book to start reading!

• To return the book early, tap the small "plus symbol" next to the title to return then delete the title.

Note: Adobe EPUB and MP3 audiobooks can be returned from the OverDrive Media Console mobile app for Android, iOS, Nook tablets, and the Kindle Fire.

Read More

The READ eBook Format on a Google Nexus

eBook Instructions for iPad in EPUB Format

Download the EPUB instructions to use the OverDrive eBooks on your iPad or iPhone.

So let me openly acknowledge the counter-intuitive nature of downloading an eBook to learn how to use eBooks. <smile> The files listed here contain no DRM (Digital Rights Management) and can be easily opened using iBooks (or any other app that allows you to read DRM-free EPUB eBooks.)

These handouts are also available in PDF format from the "Getting Started with eBooks" page.  

Reading OverDrive READ eBooks on an iPad

Reading EPUB eBooks on an iPad

Reading Kindle Books on an iPad

The links lead to Box.net, a file hosting site. Click the "Download" link on the Box.net website and select iBooks to open the file. The eBook will open in iBooks.

Returning an Adobe EPUB eBook with Adobe Digital Editions 2.0

If you are a Nook Simple Touch user or use another eBook reader that requires you to download eBooks to Adobe Digital Editions before transferring your eBook to the device, these instructions are for you!

• To return an eBook early to the collection and off your account, open Adobe Digital Editions 2.0 and find the Adobe EPUB eBook. 
• Right-click on the cover.
• Select "Return borrowed item." 

Note that only Adobe EPUB eBooks can be returned to the collection early. Open EPUB eBooks cannot be returned early. 

The eBook should be removed from your NHDB account almost immediately.  

If the book has disappeared from Adobe Digital Editions but not from your account, try refreshing the page once or twice. If the problem persists, ask your local librarian to submit a support ticket to OverDrive asking that they return the title for you. 

Read More:

Return an eBook with an older version of Adobe Digital Editions

How to Read Open EPUB eBooks

The NHDB has added a new format to the eBook collection! The Open EPUB format is a type of eBook that does not contain DRM (Digital Rights Management). At this time there are just a few publishers selling eBooks to libraries without DRM, so a majority of our eBooks still contain DRM.

The Open EPUB eBooks will work on any eBook reader, tablet, or smart phone that can currently use the Adobe EPUB titles.

Unlike the Adobe EPUB eBooks, the Open EPUB eBooks cannot be returned to the collection early.

To find the small collection of Open EPUB titles, use the Advanced Search, and select the "Open EPUB eBook" as the format.

Browsing for and checking out the Open EPUB titles are similar to finding and checking out any other format in our  collection. Find a title, add the Open EPUB format into your cart, proceed to checkout, and confirm your checkout.

Downloading the Open EPUB eBook to Your Computer (to read or transfer to a Nook, Kobo, or Sony Reader): 

Instead of seeing the "Download" button (from your computer screen), you'll see a "Right-click to Save" button. Right-click the “Right-Click to Save” button and (depending on the browser you are using) save the link, preferably to an easy to find location, like my desktop. (Tip: if you are using an out of date version of Internet Explorer, consider downloading a newer version of IE or different software like Chrome or Firefox, all of which will allow you to set an easy to find download location!)

Opening the File:

Nook and Kobo users: Find the file on your computer and double-click the file to open it with your previously-installed Adobe Digital Editions. Transfer as normal.

Sony Reader users: Find the file on your computer and double-click the file to open it with your previously-installed Sony Reader Library. Transfer as normal.

Emailing the eBook to Tablets or Smart Phones:

If you checked out and downloaded the file using your computer, you can email the file to yourself and open it with your tablet or smart phone. Normally, when you view the email on your smart phone or tablet, you’ll tap on the attachment to open it. By default, Apple devices open EPUB with the iBooks app; however, you can choose other program like the OverDrive Media Console app or the Bluefire Reader app, etc. – anything you have installed that can open EPUB.

Downloading Open EPUB from the NHDB Site on a Mobile Website:

Open your mobile browser, visit the NHDB site, and use the “Browse” button to browse Open EPUB titles. Check out the title as normal, and press the “Download” button.

Open the file in the desired application and start reading!