Downloadable Audiobooks FAQ
What are downloadable audiobooks?
Downloadable audiobooks are similar to books on tape or CD except that you will use your home computer and internet connection to download the title onto your machine. Once downloaded, you can listen to the audiobook on your computer or transfer it to a Windows Media compatible portable player. When the audiobook expires, it will just cease working, and you can remove it from your computer.
You must be a West Bloomfield resident or member of our contract community to use this collection.
What is required?
You will need a few things to use our downloadable audiobooks.
- A computer.
- High speed internet connection.
- Software: Windows Media Player for Netlibrary/Recorded Books and Overdrive Media Console Player for Overdrive.
- Portable Player: The player must be Windows Media compatible. For a list of players, go to www.playsforsure.com.
- An account: Overdrive uses your West Bloomfield library card. Netlibrary requires that you create a username and password.
What are the advantages to listening to downloadable audiobooks?
- Available 24/7.
- Never have to worry about a broken or missing disc.
- No overdue fees, when the books are due, they just stop working.
- They can be loaded onto compatible portable devices.
Where are the audiobooks purchased from?
The West Bloomfield Township Public Library purchases downloadable audiobooks from two different vendors, Netlibrary/Recorded Books and Overdrive (Metronet Online Lending Library).
What are the differences between the two systems?
Overdrive
- Requires Overdrive’s Media Console Player.
- Collection contains over 700 fiction, mystery, science fiction and non-fiction titles from publishers like Blackstone and Brilliance.
- Check out is based on a 1 copy to 1 patron model. Only one patron can have access to a title at any given title. Think if of like a physical book. If one person possesses the title, no one else can access it until it is returned. Multiple copies are purchased for high demand titles, and holds can be placed on checked out titles.
- Titles circulate for 10 days.
- Uses library card number to check items out.
Netlibrary/Recorded Books
- Requires Windows Media Player 9 or higher.
- Collection contains over 1800 titles in the fiction, mystery, science fiction and non-fiction genres. All titles come from Recorded Books.
- Unlimited copies available. Multiple people can check out the same title.
- Titles circulate for 3 weeks.
- An account must be created at Netlibrary’s website (Note: If you are signing up for an account from home, you will be prompted for your name and library card number first).
What steps are involved in downloading titles?
Overdrive Quickstart Guide
Netlibrary Quickstart Guide
Where do I find downloadable audiobooks?
Go to the Listen section of the Library’s homepage. This page will then redirect you to Overdrive and Netlibrary’s websites where you can search or browse for titles.
Using the Library’s catalog, do a subject search for downloadable audiobook. This search will only retrieve Recorded Book titles.
What portable players work with this system?
There are a lot of portable devices that work with the Library’s downloadable audiobooks. The important thing is that the device must be Windows Media compatible. A great places to look for players is, www.playsforsure.com
Some things to consider when shopping for devices are: storage capacity (the more the better), battery type and life and physical size of the device.
Why won’t iPods and Zunes work?
Neither of these devices works with protected WMA files, which is the format used for our audiobooks.
Can you listen to downloadable audiobooks in a car?
Yes. You will need a portable device for starters. Some newer cars have an auxiliary jack in the car radio that you can attach a peripheral device to. There are also devices available that you plug into your portable player that allows you to turn your car radio to a specific frequency and receive sound from your player.
What if I have problems downloading an audiobook?
If you are experiencing problems downloading an audiobook, the first place you should look for help is at Overdrive's website or Netlibrary’s website. Both companies have placed a lot of troubleshooting information at your disposal.
If you still cannot find an answer for your problem, contact the West Bloomfield Township Public Library via email or call 248-682-2120.
In order for us to help you, please provide the following information:
Name of the title
Type of error, please be specific
Operating system
Browser name and version
Last Update: April 18, 2007 | 
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