Audio eBook FAQ

Listen to an Audio eBook in 7 easy steps

New Audio eBook Service Goes into Full Effect January 3, 2005

The Library is launching a new Audio eBook service at ebooks.denverlibrary.org. An Audio eBook is the digital version of an audiobook that can be listened to on your home computer, laptop, and certain PDAs, portable audio players, and Smartphones. All you need is the free Overdrive Media Console, Windows Media Player 9.0 or higher, a Denver Public Library card, and a connection to the Internet to select an Audio eBook, check it out, download and listen to it.

The Library's new Audio eBook collection includes bestsellers and classics, fiction and non-fiction. You'll find popular titles by writers such as Amy Tan, and science fiction author, Anne McCaffrey, as well as travel guides, non-fiction, and biographies. Best of all, Audio eBooks are automatically returned, so there are never any late fees! You can listen for an hour, and then pause or stop the recording. The next time you open the Audio eBook, you can begin listening from where you finished last time. Be sure to note the exact time of pause to resume where you left off. If an Audio eBook is not available, you can place a hold and be notified by e-mail when it becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the policies related to these eBooks?

• You can have up to 7 Audio eBooks checked out at any given time.
• There are currently no renewals.
• The borrowing period for Audio eBooks is 21 days.
• You can have up to 30 eBooks on hold at a time.
• Once an e-mail has been sent notifying you that a hold is available, the Audio eBook will be held for you for 96 hours (4 days).
• You do not need to return borrowed Audio eBooks. Once the 21 day borrowing period has elapsed, the Audio eBook is automatically returned to the library. If you wish to burn the Audio eBook to a CD you must do so before it expires in 21days. See the help page at ebooks.denverlibrary.org.

How do I download eBooks?

You need:

• Free Overdrive Media Console software
• Windows Media Player 9.0 or higher
• A valid Denver Public Library card
• A personal computer (not a public PC or PC with Windows NT)
• Access to the Internet

Try it in 7 easy steps:

1. Go to ebooks.denverlibrary.org
2. Select a title or browse the full list
3. Add to eBookBag and check out
4. Sign in
5. Confirm checkout
6. Download software and Audio eBook
7. Listen!

What are the policies related to these eBooks?

• You cannot steal, lose, or ruin an Audio eBook! Plus no overdues!
• You can check out the Audio eBook and then burn to a CD for listening in your car.
• Customers can check out Audio eBooks 24/7/365. They are available all the time from any location with Internet access.
• Audio eBooks are extremely portable. You can listen to travel guides on a PDA while you trek across Europe. You can listen to several novels with you on your laptop, PDA, Smartphone, or MP3 player on the airplane.
• Most of the titles are unabridged, but you can also choose to download parts or chapters of the Audio eBook.
• The Audio eBooks are much less expensive than their tape or CD equivalents. In addition, there is no processing and they come cataloged.
• Audio eBooks may contain extra features not found in other media, such as added essays or personal author commentary.
• It’s a way to reach people who would not normally consider the library.
• Newly purchased Audio eBooks are loaded instantly. There is no wait time between order and shelf.
• This service has been very popular at other libraries such as Cleveland Public Library and King County Public Library. Audio eBooks are not replacing books on tape or CD. They are a terrific supplement to a library's audio collection, allowing us to increase access to popular titles.

Can customers use these in the library?

No, these Audio eBooks are not for use on the public computers in the library. This is because the Audio eBook may only be downloaded once per customer during the 21 day checkout. Once on the public PC, it would stay there for 21 days and not be available to the customer from home. The library does not allow downloading on its public PCs. Also, to ensure digital rights management, the Audio eBook requires Windows Media Player 9.0 or higher be present. Library PCs with Windows NT do not allow higher than Windows Media Player 6.2 be present on the machine.

Which eBook reader software is needed?

Currently the library is collecting Audio eBooks, which require an Overdrive Media Console and Windows Media Player 9.0 or higher. The Audio eBook site provides a lot of help on downloading readers and Audio eBooks, including a 7-step Audio eBook 'How to' Guide, complete with images, and an extended FAQ page for more detailed information.

Which devices can people use?

The Audio eBook help on ebooks.denverlibrary.org provides a list of all the portable devices you can listen with. Alternatively, check the Microsoft list for devices that support Windows Media Player.

Many other questions are answered on the eBook help section of the ebooks.denverlibrary.org site.

If you have additional questions, please send an e-mail and we will answer as soon as possible.