Zooming In On the Collection

Mobile users rejoice! It is now possible to zoom in to view the NH Downloadable Books page.

No need to tap and hope you managed to click the correct link. Instead, pinch outwards to zoom in on the area of the screen you want to view more closely. If you don't get it exactly right, drag the screen into the right place. Pinch inwards to bring the page back to the normal level.

Here's a view of the usually very small "select and download a format" area of the account page.

You might have also noticed that the "Borrow" button has moved on the mobile site. You'll now see it without having to scroll downwards. 

Don't forget to scroll downwards to view format information!

Cover, Grid, or List View on a Mobile Device

Have you noticed that there are three choices to view the digital collection -- by cover, grid, or list view? Here's what each looks like on an iPhone:

The cover view pretty much only shows you the book covers, availability, and format, as well as the option to add the title to a wishlist.

The grid view also provides series information (and a link to others in that series!) and a brief description of the title. 

Browsing the titles in list view will provide you with the most viewing options. You'll be able to see all the information as the other views above, along with a longer description, the number of titles purchased, how many people are waiting on hold for the book, and the ability to borrow or place a hold from the list view itself. 

Customizing Your Loan Periods

You may have noticed that it is possible to customize the default eBook and audiobook loan periods.

Haven't listened to "A Northern Light" yet? It's a wonderful book for teens and adults!

This leads you to your account settings where you can select the default loan period for audiobooks and eBooks. By default, we've kept the eBook loan period at 14 days and the audiobooks at 7 days. It is possible to set the default of either format to another time period. 

Please keep in mind that the faster the items are returned to the collection, the less money the public libraries will spend on expensive duplicate copies and the faster other patrons will get the books they are waiting for! 

New Views Available: Grid and List Views

There are big changes in how you can view our digital collection! You now have the option of viewing the collection by book cover (the most recent view available) or grid or list view.

List view most closely resembles the earlier site. You are able to see subtitle, series information, the number holds on the title, and a brief description of the book. Nice! 

You can switch between collection views by selecting Cover, Grid, or List.

Note that the Cover/Grid/List view buttons have replaced the "Available Now" button. You'll find the option to sort to available titles on the left sidebar now. 

This is the view iPhone users will see when selecting available copies. 

Google Chrome Frame Solves Internet Explorer Errors

If you use Internet Explorer to access the New Hampshire Downloadable Books site and are experiencing any of the following problems, please install the Google Chrome Frame to solve these issues:

• Unable to select a format
• Unable to download a title
• Unable to load the "Holds" page
• Unable to load the "Lists" page
• Unable to load an eBook sample or the OverDrive READ format

The Google Chrome Frame adds additional functionality to the Internet Explorer browser -- namely support for HTML 5. Our new NHDB site relies heavily on HTML 5 code and without this "boost" the the IE browser, some site features do not work properly. 

Instructions

• Using Internet Explorer, visit the Google Chrome Frame site.
• Fully install the software. 
• Close IE. 
• Open IE and visit the NHDB site. 
• Log into the site. Your account should load properly now. 

Hold Notifications from OverDrive

There have been some random reports by patrons telling us that they are receiving emails from the NH Downloadable Books service informing them that their holds are available, but when they check their account, the titles aren't available. There was a problematic mass email notification last month where many patrons were accidentally sent hold notifications for titles that were not available yet. I'm not quite sure this is the same type of problem...

After you receive your hold notification, you'll log into your NHDB account and see the following menu from your account:

The holds button always looks grayed out when you arrive to your account and are viewing the "Bookshelf" page. Once you click on "Holds" you'll see that the "Holds" button now looks colorful. 

Even if the holds button is grayed out, it doesn't mean that there are no holds available. It just means that you are viewing another part of the account. The same holds true for "Lists." Read more about your NHDB account. 

Librarians: If a patron reports a hold problem, please submit a support ticket to OverDrive through Content Reserve and give them the following information: 

• Patron number 
• Date hold notification was sent 
• Patron email
• Title of book 
• Explanation that the book was not available after receiving a hold notification

Please report any hold problems to me, so I can make others aware of the issue. -Bobbi

Returning Incompatible Titles Immediately

Every now and then you might find yourself with an eBook or Audiobook that won't work with your device. It is possible to return the incompatible title to the collection immediately at your bookshelf immediately after checking out the title. 

If you have a choice of forms, of course, always double-check the available formats. But if you notice your preferred format isn't available, don't "select and confirm." Look for the "Return Title" button below the format options. (Click on any image to enlarge.)

When there are no additional options, double-check the format before downloading. Notice the "Return Title" option? That option will disappear when you attempt the download the title.

If you accidentally select and confirm or try to download an incompatible format, many of the items can be returned early to the collection. 

If you are not able to return the title yourself, contact your local librarian and ask that they submit a support ticket to OverDrive's tech support team 

Solution to Bookshelf Error

Resolved! (Whew!) It turns out that successfully downloading and installing the Google Chrome Frame fully resolves this problem. Be sure to exit and restart Internet Explorer after installing the Chrome Frame.

You can disregard the rest of this message... 

OverDrive's tech support team offered the following solution to the script error in the patron account >> bookshelf.

From OverDrive's tech support team member:

We thank you for contacting us and for providing the screenshot. After researching the issue that is being reported, I found that this is a script error within the  browser being used. I have provided a link to the Microsoft Support page that lists ways to clear the script error.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308260

We saw that your patron is also having the issue using Google Chrome. What I located is if the error is corrected in Internet Explorer, it will be fixed in other browsers as well. 

This article explains what could be happening on your computer in a way that the average person might make some sense of it. ;-)

http://www.ehow.com/about_5052668_causes-internet-explorer-script-errors.html 

I've also asked OverDrive if this is a script error that they themselves can fix.

Bookshelf Error

Resolved! It turns out that successfully downloading and installing the Google Chrome Frame fully resolves this problem. Be sure to exit and restart Internet Explorer after installing the Chrome Frame.

Update: Installing the Google Chrome Frame plugin helps in more ways that this! If you have any trouble accessing your account or your holds, try installing the Google Chrome Frame. We have a 100% success rate at this point!

A couple of tips: Use IE and click on the link above to get the Frame. Run the installation. After completely, close IE and restart. If you have any other errors accessing your account, be sure to clear your temporary internet files and restart IE. (Clearing the temporary internet files hasn't been necessary in most cases.)

Original Message: Some users are having a strange error show up in their account >> bookshelf. I only have a very small screenshot provided by a patron, but it appears to be a "format and availability..." error that is covering the download buttons. I think the error is coming from those small icons that normally show up in the upper-right corner of the book cover not fully loading.

I've reported the problem to OverDrive and will post their response or solution here.

 

Our apologies for the problem. Let's hope we get this cleared up as soon as possible!

Getting to Know Your Account

In order to add books to your cart or wish list, place a hold, or rate an audiobook, you’ll need to be signed into the site.

What Your Account Holds 

After you have entered your library card number into the site, you have access to information under “Account.” This link can be found at the top link bar.

When you click on “Account” you will see the following information:

Bookshelf

• Displays the items you currently have checked out.
• You may only have three items checked out at a time.(A fourth item, even if it is being held for you, may not be checked out.)
• Audiobook titles are checked out for seven days.
• MP3 Audiobooks can be returned early.
• WMA Audiobooks cannot be returned early.
• eBook titles are checked out for fourteen days.
• Adobe EPUB eBooks, Kindle Books and OverDrive READ eBooks can be returned early.
• Open EPUB eBooks cannot be returned early.

Holds

• Displays any items you have placed on hold.
• Items that are not currently available for check-out may be placed on hold for you.
• The Consortium purchases multiple copies of audiobooks titles. Typically a new title will be purchased when there are at least ten people waiting for the title.
• In order to place a hold, you must submit a valid email address.
• You will receive an email when the title becomes available to you.
• You can edit the email address at any time (Account >> Holds >> Edit)
• You only have 48 hours to check out the title after the hold notification email is sent before the hold is removed and the title becomes available to the next person on the waiting list.
• You may remove the hold from any audiobook in your “holds” list. (Account >> Holds >> Remove)

Wish lists (Account >> Lists >> Wish List)

• The wish list is an inactive list. You are not on hold for the title.
• Use the wish list to keep track of the books you’d like to listen to, but don’t have the time for now.
• Titles displaying a "red ribbon" have been added to your wish list. 
• Click the “gray ribbon” to add a title to your wish list. The ribbon will turn red.
• Click a “red ribbon” to remove a title from the wish list. The ribbon will turn gray.

Rated Titles (Account >> Lists >> Rated Titles)

• Rated titles displays a list of books you have given a star rating.
• When you are logged into the site, you have the ability to rate the audiobooks.


• Grayed out stars: No one has rated the title.
• Blue stars: Others have rated the title, but not you.
• Yellow starts: You have rated the title and this is your rating. 

Settings

• There are no additional settings for our NHDB service.

Read More

Checked Out v. Available Titles: Spotting the Difference

If the Next Gen Site Doesn't Load on a Google Nexus

If the Next Gen site isn't loading on your Nexus device, follow these steps:

• Open the Chrome web browser.
• From "Settings" >> Privacy >> Clear Browsing Data

My source says, "Up on the top bar, not in the list of privacy options that show on that screen." 

• Then check the boxes for cookies/cache >> tap the "Clear" button.

Also, look in the Google Play app to see if the OverDrive Media Console app is available for update.

Read More:
If the OverDrive READ format doesn't load on an iPad
Adding the site to your iPad's home screen
Download MP3 audiobooks to your Android device with the OMC app

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

Using the Wish List

Have you tried adding books to your new wish list yet? It's a great way to remember the books you want to read!

Adding a title to your wish list:

When you're browsing the collection and see something you want to remember, click the small "ribbon" at the bottom of the book cover. (Click the red ribbon to remove the title from your wish list.)

(Click on any image to enlarge it...)

Getting to your wish list: 

• Sign into your account (if necessary).
• Click on "Account" at the top of the page.
• Click on "Lists."
• Select "Wish List" from the Lists drop-down.

Putting a wish list title on hold: 

• Click the book cover.
• You are then brought to the item record where you can check out the book (if it says "Borrow") or place a hold on the title. 

Finding Available Titles

In our OverDrive site, whenever you click on a link to view a genre or collection the titles are sorted from newest to oldest. It's great to see what's new, but what if you want to check out a book right now? There's a simple solution: Click the "Available Now" button to sort to available titles. It's quick and easy to see great titles that are ready to read or listen to immediately. Notice the option to switch between cover, grid, and list view? (I like viewing the site in list view.)

(Click to enlarge the image.)

After you click the "Available Now" button, the way the titles are sorted changes from "Added to Site" to "Relevancy." For best results, consider re-sorting the collection by "Most Popular" (this is a great way to find yesterday's best sellers you might have missed!) or "Added to Site" to catch the newest titles that just became available. 

 Now you see a collection of popular, available titles to check out! 

Read More: 

Checked out Versus Available Titles

Login Problems

Update: If you are seeing a drop-down menu on your computer's browser when you attempt to log in, please clear your cache and restart the browser. You should now see the correct login box that allows you to type in the name of your library. Thanks for your patience while we sort out any remaining upgrade issues!

If you are experiencing problems logging into the site, please clear your cache and try again. It seems that Internet Explorer users are experiencing the most problems. If you still aren't able to log into the site, contact your local librarian or post a comment to our Facebook page. Please let us know the browser you use and the version, if possible.

Browse for eBooks

Our new site looks and works a little differently. Here's how to log into the site and browse for available eBooks:

Find the "Sign In" link in the upper-right corner of the screen. 

Type in your library or town name and select the library. Note that some libraries require more than just your library card number. Check with your local librarian for more information. 

The navigation menu at the top of the page can be brought back by clicking "Menu." 

Click on "All Fiction" or "All Nonfiction" (or any genre) to start browsing. Or check out the librarian-selected collections on the home screen. 

By default, the collection is sorted by the newest (to us!) titles that are usually checked out. Click on the "Only View Titles with Available Copies" button (moved to the left sidebar) to see titles you can check out now.From this screen you can narrow down the results by format, subject, publisher, even grade level. 

Clicking the "x" will remove the filter.

Available (left) versus checked out (right) icons:

Click on a book cover to read a description, see available eBook formats, add it to your wish list, or check it out. 

After your click "Borrow" you are brought immediately to your bookshelf to select a format. 

See Checking Out An Adobe EPUB eBook for:

• Nook Simple Touch
• All Kobo devices
• Older Sony Readers without wireless public library borrowing
• Nook Color or Nook Tablet users have the option of using this method. 

See Checking Out a Kindle Book for Kindle Devices and Apps for:

• All Kindle Devices
• Most Kindle Apps

See Checking Out an Adobe EPUB eBook for the OverDrive Media Console App for:

• Android Phones
• Most Android Tablets
• iPhones
• iPads
• Nook Tablet, Nook Color, Nook HD, Nook HD+
• Blackberry
• Windows Phone 7

Site Upgrade: Checked Out Versus Available Titles

Our new NH Downloadable Books site shows available/checked out titles differently now. Note the small book graphic denoting an eBook and the small CD/headphones graphic used for audiobooks.

Here are examples of an available eBook and audiobook: 

And here are examples of checked out eBooks and audioboks:

A side-by-side comparison of eBooks: 

And a side-by-side of an available versus checked out audiobook:

And after clicking on the book cover and entering the item record, be sure to look to the right of the page to find out the available format(s) of audiobook or eBook the title: 

Read More

• Borrowing and Downloading an Audiobook
• Should You Select a WMA or an MP3 Audiobook?

  

Checking Out an Adobe EPUB with Adobe Digital Editions 2.0

Not all users will need to install Adobe Digital Editions on their Windows or Mac computer and download the eBook to the computer before transferring the title to their device. Any user with an OverDrive Media Console app can skip these instructions and use the instructions for the app. 

Popular devices that require Adobe Digital Editions:

• Nook Simple Touch 
• An older Sony Reader (that doesn’t allow for wireless public library downloads) 
• All Kobo devices. 

Devices that can use ADE or the OverDrive Media Console app:

• Nook Tablet 
• Nook Color 

Note: Nook HD and Nook HD+ users must use the OverDrive Media Console app found in the device’s app store.

Once you've checked out the eBook, you'll be prompted to visit your bookshelf to select a format.

People needing to use Adobe Digital Editions will use either Adobe EPUB or Open EPUB eBooks. At this time, these formats are found under the "Other formats" drop-down. If you find that the title isn't available in the correct format, you can immediately return the title from your bookshelf before selecting a format. 

Confirm your format selection...

The Firefox browser was used to take these screenshots. Here's what Firefox users will see. Be sure to "Open with Adobe Digital Editions [2.0]" -- never save these files regardless of the browser. 

IE users will "open" the file and (provided you've installed the software) ADE will open immediately. 

Chrome users should look to the lower-left corner of the screen and double-click the file to open with ADE. 

Adobe Digital Editions will open automatically and start downloading the file. Provided you are using high-speed internet, the file should download within 10-15 seconds. Satellite users can expect about a minute to download. The software will show the open book, ready to be read. To transfer the title to your Nook, click the "Library" button in the upper-left corner. 

Plug in your Nook at this time. Notice the "Nook" on the left sidebar. Click, hold, drag, and drop the book cover to the Nook. You'll see a small red icon turn to green when the book is ready to be dropped. 

Be sure to safely eject your Nook before disconnecting the cable from the computer. 

Read More:

Return the Adobe EPUB eBook back into the collection early.

Note: The Open EPUB eBooks cannot be returned early.