Frequently Asked Questions About Downloads
If you are new to using the library’s digital collections or have questions about a specific problem, start with our New User’s Guide. Then check this FAQ to get started on finding your answers.
- What kinds of digital content does the library have?
- How do I find and access the digital content?
- What different formats does the library offer to download?
- What stuff will work with my device?
- What software do I need?
- Does the library offer eBooks that are compatible with popular eBook readers such as the Kindle, Sony Reader, etc.?
- How does the Kindle work with library eBooks?
- Is everything downloadable?
- How long can I check out eBooks and eAudioBooks for?
- Can I place holds?
- Is there a limit to the number of eBooks I can check out at any one time?
- Can I download to public computers in my library?
- When I check out eBooks and eAudioBooks, do they appear on my library account with the other items I have checked out?
- Why does the library have all of these different collections and websites I have to log into to download these titles?
- Help me! I'm stuck and need more assistance.
- What kinds of digital content does the library have?
The library offers thousands of eBooks and eAudioBooks. Our eBooks and eAudioBooks include fiction, non-fiction, bestsellers, mysteries, romance, science fiction, children’s books, technology titles, test books, self-help legal titles, and a lot more.
- How do I find and access the digital content?
Our eBooks and eAudioBooks are listed in our catalog or can be browsed directly through our Downloads page.
- What different formats does the library offer to download?
- Overdrive Digital Downloads: PDF (inc Kindle PDF), EPUB, & MOBI eBooks; MP3 & WMA eAudioBooks; WMA eMusic
- OpenLibrary: PDF, EPUB, MOBI, and Kindle eBooks [also offers DAISY, plain text, and DiVu]
- What stuff will work with my device?
- iPhone or iPod Touch: MP3 & WMA eAudioBooks, PDF eBooks (with workaround - see note below), ePUB eBooks (iPhone only, with OverDrive app - see note below), eMP3
- iPad: MP3 & WMA eAudioBooks, PDF eBooks (with workaround - see note below)
- Android Phone or Tablet: MP3 eAudioBooks, ePUB eBooks (with OverDrive app - see note below)
- Sony Reader: PDF eBooks, MP3 eAudioBooks
- Kobo eReader: PDF eBooks, ePUB eBooks
- Nook eReader: PDF eBooks, MP3 eAudioBooks
- Kindle: Kindle formatted eBooks (from OverDrive and OpenLibrary only)
- Blackberry Smart Phone: MP3 eAudioBooks, MOBI eBooks, ePUB eBooks (with OverDrive app - see note below)
- Palm Smart Phone: MP3 & WMA eAudioBooks, MOBI eBooks
- Windows Mobile Phone: MP3 & WMA eAudioBooks, MOBI eBooks, ePUB eBooks (with OverDrive app - see note below)
- Creative Players: MP3 & WMA eAudioBooks
- Zune: MP3 & WMA eAudioBooks
Most (not all) of our content will work on personal computers - Mac, PC, or Linux. Mobile devices are more complicated. Every mobile device is different, depending on its hardware and software. Please see below for a list of popular devices and the formats that are compatible with them. Once you know what will work with your device, refer to the chart above for a list of which collections have which formats.
Note: You can actually read PDF eBooks from Overdrive on your iPhone or iPad (but not the iPod Touch) with a free app called Bluefire Reader and a free bookmarklet, and there is an alternative method that doesn't use the bookmarklet.
Note: OverDrive offers an app for directly downloading content, including ePUB eBooks, to iPhone/iPad, Android, Windows Mobile, Windows Phone, and Blackberry devices. For more information, please review this cheat sheet about how to downloading to a mobile device (PDF).
- What software do I need?
The software you need depends on which service you're using and the format of the eBooks or eAudioBooks in question. Below are links to download the various software needed to access library eBooks and eAudioBooks.
- Does the library offer eBooks that are compatible with popular eBook readers such as the Kindle, Sony Reader, etc.?
The Kindle, Nook, and Sony Reader all support at least one format used by library eBook services. The library’s eAudioBooks also work on a variety of devices as long as they support DRM-protected WMA files.
- How does the Kindle work with library eBooks?
Most existing OverDrive eBooks can now be read on all Kindle devices or by using free Kindle apps on iPhone, iPad, Android, and other mobile devices. A few PDF titles may not yet available for Kindle but OverDrive and Amazon are working to reduce this. To check out Kindle Books, visit the Overdrive Digital Downloads webpage and click on the Kindle icon on the right to browse available titles. When you decide to check out a Kindle Book, a "Get for Kindle" link will display. You will then sign in to your Amazon account and choose which Kindle device or free Kindle app you want to deliver the title to. Note that once you take advantage of this new Kindle/Overdrive service, your library card number and eBook checkout history, and any notes you take in your eBook, will become part of Amazon’s database. You will also be presented with emails to purchase the book you checked out. The library is not, however, endorsing Amazon in any way.
- Is everything downloadable?
Most of our eBooks, eAudioBooks, and digital music are downloadable. Some select titles are readable only online, and marked as such.
- How long can I check out eBooks and eAudioBooks for?
Our digital content checks out for 1-3 weeks (sometimes you get a choice), at which point the file self-encrypts and is no longer readable. You can re-check the title out and un-encrypt it if you need it longer (and if there are no immediate holds on it).
- Can I place holds?
You can place holds on all of our digital content titles that are check-out-able.
- Is there a limit to the number of eBooks I can check out at any one time?
Each of our collections that offers downloads has its own internal limits, but there is no one overall limit. Please refer to your account page in each collection for details.
- Can I download to public computers in my library?
Because the downloading of eBooks ties the book's license/check-out to one particular computer, we do not encourage downloading on library computers. If you were unable to transfer the file to your mobile device in the allotted computer reservation time slot, you would lose access to the book. We're exploring technological workarounds and hope to be able to offer this service in the future.
- When I check out eBooks and eAudioBooks, do they appear on my library account with the other items I have checked out?
No. You will need to log in to your OverDrive or OpenLibrary accounts to see the status of your digital check-outs from these services. We wish they were integrated, but for now they're not. We'll keep working on it!
- Why does the library have all of these different collections and websites I have to log into to download these titles?
Unlike you, as an individual, the library cannot legally buy eBooks directly from companies like Amazon or Audible and then loan that copy out to you. Libraries are currently legally required to purchase special library-licensed versions of these titles from intermediary companies that specialize in working with libraries. As a result, not all titles that are available to you are available to us, unfortunately. This state of affairs is due to some publishers not licensing their content for use in libraries. Libraries are working to change the current state of copyright law, end-user license agreements, and the digital rights management protections put on the digital copies we buy so that you can access what you want from the library on the device you choose. We will keep trying!
- Help me! I'm stuck and need more assistance.
If you get stuck, contact us for help. We'll do everything we can to help you.