Introducing OverDrive Downloadable Audiobooks
Introduction
As a member of the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium, Northern Waters Library Service is pleased to offer OverDrive Audiobooks. OverDrive Audiobooks allows you to select and download audiobook titles to play directly on your computer, play on an MP3 player or burn to a CD. Please Note: As of September, OverDrive has begun accepting audiobooks that prohibit burning audiobooks to CDs. You will be able to tell if your audiobook allows CD burning by viewing the Digital Rights Information section at the bottom of each title page on the OverDrive website.
Before entering the OverDrive site at http://dbooks.wplc.info please review the Quick Start Guide and the Frequently Asked Questions.
System Requirements
(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
Video adapter and monitor: Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution
Browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 (or newer)
Players: 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/
How It Works
A library patron can check out an audiobook file by accessing the library's website. The patron can then use the file for a set loan period. Because of the large file sizes, patrons will have access for the full lending period and can return to download separate segments as required. Once the file is downloaded to a PC, the patron will be prohibited from sharing and passing it to another computer. For portability, the patron will be able to transfer segments of the file, or the entire file, to a supported mobile device, such as PDAs, MP3 players, or Microsoft Smartphones. The patron may also burn the file to a CD. At the end of the lending period, the title automatically expires and is returned to the library. You can then delete the expired file from your machine.
Access to OverDrive
To access OverDrive Audiobooks users will need:· A valid Merlin library card (or non-Merlin library card holder ID)
· 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 the library.
The Collection
The collection purchased by the WPLC for use by Wisconsin residents contains 636 titles. New titles will be continually added in 2007.
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