OverDrive - Downloading eBooks

OverDrive, the resource that allows you to check out library books to your phone, tablet, computer, and more has had a major update.

The Next Generation of Overdrive looks like:

The Red 1 is where you sign in. You should always sign in first to see the availability of library books.

The Blue 2  demonstrates when titles are available. The circle on the left shows a greyed out book, meaning it is not available. The circle on the right has a filled in black book, meaning the book is available for download.

The Green Arrow has your drop down so that you can look for items currently available for download.

When you click on an available title you will now see this screen:

Here you see the available formats as well as your one click option to borrow.

Give OverDrive a try today!
If you have any questions you can either comment below, stop by the Reference Desk, or drop into one of our Open Labs on Mondays from 1-4pm and Thursdays 2-4pm in Jackie's Room.

~Jason

Libraries, Amazon and Privacy

Amazon Kindle owners will probably have heard by now that they can borrow ebooks from libraries (through Overdrive) and read the books on their readers. This was exciting and long-anticipated news, since Kindles are so popular among e-reading devices. There is a new wrinkle, however, making its way into librarian discussion groups. Public libraries have very strict guidelines (embedded in state laws, and American Library Association principles) about the confidentiality of library records--specifically the borrowing history of its patrons. Short of a court order, those records are erased and unavailable to anyone when a book is returned. So what about the borrowing records of Kindle ebooks? Those records, are the property of Amazon and are used to sharpen their marketing of similar books to their customers. The discussion is still in its early stages, so no one knows yet how (or whether) public libraries will be able to uphold its principles and continue to deliver ebooks in this very popular format. The Minuteman Library Network will discuss the issue in its November meeting. Stay tuned...
--RL

Kindle and Overdrive

As Kindle users look forward to the day when they can download from Overdrive, we librarians view the future with a mix of excitement and anxiety. We look forward to serving Kindle users and hope we can buy enough copies to meet the increased demand. Overdrive CEO Steve Potash, when asked this week when this history making event will occur, would not offer any details other than 'soon'. But Potash did deliver a favorable report for public libraries when he recommended the library website as the first place to go to find in-copyright ebooks. For titles that the library does not own, users may suggest that their local library buy the title or buy it themselves from an ebook retailer. As a result, he predicted that the "value of owning a library card will grow exponentially and traffic will make last year's increases look like small fry". We await the future.

-DB





-DB

Kindle Owners!!!

For those who haven't yet heard the news...
Amazon and Overdrive have reached an agreement whereby Overdrive users will be able to download books onto their Kindle e-book readers. Just to back up a little for those who may think overdrive is just past 4th gear and that kindle produces fires: Overdrive is the distributor many libraries use to circulate digital books and audio books. Books can be downloaded to your computer or to any number of mobile devices. Because there are many devices, each with their own software and licensing rights, it's been a little confusing to sort it all out. The biggest player in the mobile bookreader world has been Amazon Books with their Kindle. Unfortunately for Overdrive (and Kindle) users, no books in the Overdrive catalog could be downloaded to the Kindle. Hence the big announcement: "Sometime in 2011" Kindle books will be able to be downloaded from Overdrive. (Overdrive, a.k.a. Digital Media Catalog, is available from the list of Library databases or from the Wellesley Free Library home page).
--RL

Do you enjoy listening to audiobooks?

One of the newest features on our homepage is Overdrive , a digital download service for audiobooks and ebooks. You can 'check out' the latest thriller, peruse a cookbook, or read a well loved classic from the comfort of your own home. Genres include, but are not limited to, business, current events, foreign language instruction, health and fitness, biography, mystery, romance and historical fiction. If you are new to downloadable media, a
comprehensive guided tour of the website and a list of compatible devices is available online.




-DB