MHLS - OverDrive

OverDrive Digital Downloads

Training for Staff:

New Interface! Our MHLS Digital Download center http://mhls.lib.overdrive.com/ has been redesigned & upgraded by OverDrive to their Next Generation Digital Library platform.
- We now have" One-Step Checkout,” OverDrive Read (browser-based eBooks), and many search and navigation improvements. It still uses the same URL, authentication method, subject collections & lending policies.
- Patrons are finding that the upgrade dramatically improves the ease of use of the interface. It includes the addition of OverDrive Read ™ which simplifies eBook reading – readers can access the same book on different devices (so can go from reading on their tablet at home to reading the same book on their phone on the go for example), don't need to download or install software, and can read on their computer offline.
- The new website uses “responsive design” which allows the mobile and desktop experience to be the same—optimized for any size screen regardless of a user's device.
- Next Generation still supports (and provides easier borrowing for) all currently compatible eBook and audio/video devices including Kindle in the US, Android, iPad and Nook.
  - See a 3-minute video
  - Learn more about instant reading with OverDrive Read ™ at http://read.overdrive.com/about
  - Learn more about how the redesign of the website incorporates One-Step Checkout ™ & OverDrive Read ™ at http://www.overdrive.com/Next-Gen/
- Press Release
- Media Posts

The OverDrive Online Learning Center has many short training modules. Sign-in to the OverDrive training center (to show that you are part of MHLS and thereby authorized) to view these prerecorded trainings:
- Just the Basics: Learn how to browse, check out, and download OverDrive titles … plus how to respond to basic questions about your OverDrive service. (45 minutes)
- Kindle Demo: Get up to speed with the new user experience for library eBooks on Kindle devices or Kindle reading apps. (20 minutes)
- Mobile Apps (videos)
- Screen Readers and OverDrive: Learn how your service is accessible to blind and visually imparied users. (17 minutes)
- OverDrive Media Station: Preview OverDrive Media Station and learn how you can invite library visitors to explore your OverDrive collection (for MHLS libraries that have an OverDrive Media Station in the library). (6 minutes)
OverDrive Digital Books Tour: A self-paced guide to selecting, downloading, and enjoying digital titles. Topics include:
- Getting Started: Introduction to Downloading Media (2:03 minutes) | What are Digital Rights? (00:53 minutes) | How to Install Free Software (1:10 minutes)
- Using Your 'Virtual Branch': Browse, Checkout, and Download (3:18 minutes) | How to Place a Hold (00:54 minutes)
- Enjoying Download Media
MHLS 5-Question-Training for OverDrive Downloadable Audiobooks
MHLS 5-Question-Training for OverDrive eBooks

Helping Patrons:

The 'Help' interface is accessed by clicking the ‘Help’ button in the top tool bar of the MHLS Digital Download s webpage at http://mhls.lib.overdrive.com. OverDrive Help contains articles and videos covering everything users need to know to enjoy eBooks and audiobooks from our digital collection. It has great 'getting started' help, and is customized for the users computer or device.

For staff reference and distribution to patrons :

Kindle eBook How-to-Guide
eBook How-to-Guide for Smartphone or Tablet
Getting Started with eBooks & Audiobooks for Android
Getting Started with eBooks & Audiobooks for iOS (iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch)
Getting Started with Kindle Fire / Fire HD
eBook Cheat Sheet: Handout that outlines compatible computers and devices for eBooks, and required software. Current as of 3/1/2013. For the most up-to-date list, visit overdrive.com/drc.

OverDrive LEAP Program Instituted: As of 1/2013 we have instituted the OverDrive LEAP program. There is a link on the MHLS Digital Download page that says "Accessible eBooks" giving patrons with print disabilities access to eBooks. Library eBook Accessibility Program (LEAP) is a partnership between OverDrive and Bookshare.org. The link directs patrons to apply for a Bookshare membership from our OverDrive-powered site. The accessible books will be provided by Bookshare to patrons enrolled in LEAP. OverDrive’s role in the program is to fully fund one year of membership for your qualifying patrons (details on Bookshare.org: https://www.bookshare.org/_/membership/overview ). There is no cost to MHLS or member library for this added feature.

Qualification / Proof of Disability: The form must be filled in and signed by a qualified professional in the field of disabilities services, education, medicine or psychology. This professional must be a recognized expert who attests to the physical basis of the visual, perceptual, or other physical disability that limits the applicant's use of standard print. Appropriate certifying experts may differ for different disabilities. In the case of blindness and visual impairments, an appropriate certifier may be a physician, ophthalmologist, or optometrist; in the case of a perceptual disability, a neurologist, learning disability specialist (a teacher with this type of certification is an example), or psychologist with a background in disabilities may be the most qualified certifying professional. A social worker with direct knowledge of your circumstances or a federal or state agency that maintains registries of qualified people with disabilities for benefits purposes may provide certification. If you are a college or university student, your school's Disability Student Services staff may provide certification. Full information at https://www.bookshare.org/_/membership/qualifications

Brochure: what is OverDrive LEAP; who is involved; what books & formats are available; how does LEAP work.

Fact Sheet

Registration directions for patrons: part 1 & part 2 (process on the Bookshare website)

Statistics:

Statistics on use per library are available for New Patrons Registered, eBook Circulation & Audiobook Circulation
Top circulating digital titles of 2012: eBooks | audiobooks

About the Collection:

The MHLS OverDrive Collection Development Guidelines contain good information about the focus of the collection, how it is funded and how things circulate.
Audiobooks: There are currently over 1,360 audiobook titles in the collection. More are being added. The MHLS OverDrive audiobook collection started on 2/15/10.

An audiobook is a recorded reading of a book that can be downloaded and enjoyed on portable device or on a computer. It is not an eBook.
A large part of the audiobook collection will work with i-pods as well as mp3 players. There are 2 types of files:
- MP3 Audiobooks are considered the "most compatible" as they are compatible with many devices including most cell phones, PDAs, and MP3 players. If you wish to transfer audiobooks to a device (other than the Apple iPod or iPhone) that plays MP3 audio files but does not support DRM-protected WMA files, you must pick MP3 Audiobooks.
- WMA Audiobooks are about half the file size of MP3 Audiobooks but maintain the same level of audio quality. They are generally compatible with portable devices that support DRM-protected WMA files encoded at a bit rate of 32kbps. Many OverDrive WMA Audiobook titles can be transferred to Apple devices (where permitted by the publisher).

eBooks: There are currently over 3,215 eBook titles in the collection and more are being added. The MHLS OverDrive eBook collection started on 11/17/10.
- An eBook is a digital book that can be downloaded and read on a portable device or on a computer..

How Check-out Works:

The majority of items in the collection can be checked out by one patron at a time. Exception:
- Project Gutenberg eBooks can be accessed by clicking the "Enjoy additional eBooks today" icon on the MHLS OverDrive Digital Downloads website. It also appears at the bottom of the mobile version of the website.
  - This is a separate collection of eBooks from our main OverDrive collection.
  - Patrons do NOT need to sign in to download these titles.
  - These do not count towards the checkout limits.
  - Downloads do not expire.
  - The Project Gutenberg collection of eBooks also uses the same Adobe Digital Editions software as the OverDrive titles.
Patrons can have up to 3 titles checked out at one time. They get to pick their own loan period (either 7 or 14 days).
If the title they want is already checked out they can get on the waiting list. They can have up to 3 items on their waiting list at one time. When it is their ‘turn’ for the title they will get an e-mail from noreply@midhudson.org and will have 3 days to check out their title. If they do not, the opportunity gets sent on to the next person on the waiting list.
Circulation is authenticated through Millennium and follows the same parameters (patron cannot check out if card is expired or owes over $10).
The PIN the patron needs in OverDrive is the same PIN they use in Millennium.
How to Download an EPUB or PDF eBook
How to Place a Hold

Returning Items:

At the end of the loan period all items will expire automatically and will return to the collection automatically.
Audiobooks can now be returned before the loan period is over on some devices.
eBooks can be returned before the loan period is over:
- How to return an EPUB or PDF eBook early
- How to return a Kindle eBook early: an eBook checked out on the Kindle is returned through Amazon

Devices that Can be Used:

The OverDrive Device Resource Center lists the devices that can be used, including mobile devices.
The eBook Cheat Sheet outlines compatible computers and devices for eBooks, and required software. Current as of 3/1/2013. For the most up-to-date list, visit overdrive.com/drc.
Kindle eBook How-to-Guide
- As of 9/21/11 compatibility of Amazon Kindle with the OverDrive eBook collection is here. Most of the eBooks in our existing MHLS Digital Download collection at http://mhls.lib.overdrive.com are able to be read on all Kindle devices, though there may be a small number of PDF titles that are not yet available for Kindle. OverDrive and Amazon are working to reduce this number to achieve greater coverage.
- MHLS Tech Support, with the help of OverDrive, will continue to provide technical support for most aspects of eBook lending, but for Kindle users Amazon will provide technical support for Kindle Book related issues.
Learn more about instant reading with OverDrive Read ™ at http://read.overdrive.com/about

Marketing:

An OverDrive Digital Download website was created exclusively for MHLS libraries (http://mhls.lib.overdrive.com). This web site pictures all the titles and groups them into easy to browse categories.
Posters:

Bookmarks:

Audiobook bookmarks through the MHLS Material Request Form
Printable audiobook & eBook bookmarks

Shelf Talkers:

Business Card size promotion for Audiobooks & eBooks

Kindle Marketing Toolkit

Downloading at the Library

As you know, public computers may not be used to download OverDrive titles (though patrons can download in the library using their own laptop and the wireless connection provided by the library) due to copyright issues. This is because if the OverDrive Media Console was installed on a library computer that would allow multiple patrons to have access to titles downloaded by other patrons, and the materials are meant for personal use only. Software that turns an existing library computer into an OverDrive Download Station is available. With this installed, patrons can use the library computer to download audiobooks to their device in the library. Download Stations are for audiobooks only, they do not work for downloading eBooks.