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 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:
Portable Player:
- Netlibrary:
- For WMA format audiobooks, a WMA compatible player.
- For MP3 titles, the player must be MP3 compatible.
- Overdrive:
- For WMA format audiobooks, a WMA compatible player.
Many Overdrive WMA titles are now iPod compatible. Look for the iPod symbol in the audiobook record.
- For MP3 Overdrive titles, the player must be MP3 compatible
An account: Overdrive uses your West Bloomfield library card. Netlibrary requires that you create a
username and password.
(Note: If you are signing up for an account from home, you will be prompted for your name and Library card number first.)
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
- Title are in WMA or MP3 format.
- Requires Overdrive’s Media Console Player.
- iTunes to transfer Overdrive compatible titles to an iPod
- Zune Software to transfer NetLibrary MP3 titles to a Zune
- Collection contains over 1800 WMA fiction, mystery, science fiction and non-fiction titles from publishers like Blackstone and Brilliance. The collection also contains over 290 MP3 fiction, mystery, science fiction and non-fiction titles.
- 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
- Titles are in WMA or MP3 format.
- Requires Windows Media Player 9 or higher or the NetLibrary Media Center, which downloads, searches and transfers titles.
- iTunes to transfer NetLibrary MP3 titles to an iPod
- Zune Software to transfer NetLibrary MP3 titles to a Zune
- Collection contains over 2000 titles in the fiction, mystery, science fiction and non-fiction genres. All titles come from Recorded Books. The collection also contains approximately 800 MP3 fiction, mystery, science fiction and non-fiction titles.
- 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. Click on the Download Audiobooks link on the left side of the page to go to either Overdrive or Netlibrary’s websites where you can search or browse for titles.
Using the Library’s catalog, do an author search for Overdrive or Netlibrary. Then refine your search by material type, Audiobook - Download.
What portable players work with this system?
It depends on the format of the audiobook. Most audiobooks from Overdrive and Netlibrary are in the WMA format, so a WMA compatible player is required to play these titles. Most of Overdrives WMA audiobooks are compatible with iPods. Look for the iPod icon in the audiobook record.
Overdrive and Netlibrary now offer some titles in the MP3 format. Almost any portable device that accepts MP3 files will work with these titles. Each title will tell you if it is in WMA or MP3 format.
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.
Will iPods work?
They will work with MP3 format titles from both companies. You will need Overdrive Media Console Player 3
and iTunes to transfer audiobooks from your computer to you iPod device.
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
Do mobile phones work with downloadable audiobooks?
Overdrive offers a version of their Media Console software for Windows Mobile 5 or 6
and Android phones. This application will allow downloads directly to the device, and
offers the same features as the desktop version of the software. Software and system
requirements can be found at: http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc/
For a list of supported Windows devices, go to: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/en-us/devices/default.mspx
Last Update: February 05, 2010 | 
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