About the Collection:

• The only format we will have at this time is downloadable audiobooks.
  • An audiobook is a recorded reading of a book that can be downloaded and enjoyed on a computer or portable device. It is not an eBook. An eBook is a digital book, magazine, or graphic novel that can be downloaded and read on a computer or portable device.
• A large part of the collection will work with i-pods as well as mp3 players. Most will be MP3 (OMA) because it is most compatible, some will be WMA (OAB) if it is the only way an important title can be included.
• Most are popular fiction targeted to adults. All are unabridged.
• There are currently 764 titles in the collection. More are added on a monthly basis. Only single copies of most titles will be purchased, unless holds are 8 or above.
• The MHLS Central Library / Collection Development Advisory Committee will monitor use to see if any of the parameters need to be changed.
• Statistics on use per library are available.

How Check-out Works:

• The majority of items in the collection (except for those indicated as ‘Always Available’) can be checked out by one patron at a time. They get to pick their own loan period (either 7 or 14 days). At the end of that time period the item will expire automatically and will return to the collection automatically. They cannot ‘return’ it early. They can have up to 2 titles checked out at one time.
• If the title they want is already checked out they can get on the waiting list. They can have up to 2 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.

Marketing:

• An OverDrive Digital Download Center 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.
• The March 2010 MHLS system-wide Word-of-Mouth Marketing topic: OverDrive Downloadable Audio Books!
  • Poster
  • Smart Guide also available through the MHLS Material Request Form
  • Bookmarks also available through the MHLS Material Request Form
  • Shelf Talker
  • Press Release
  • Newsletter Article
  • Radio Public Service Announcement

FAQ's:

• Help resources

• What is the difference between WMA Audiobooks and MP3 Audiobooks?

  • 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).

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 to their device in the library.

Downloading to a Mobile Device

• OverDrive has expanded on-the-go access for library patrons with the beta release of an audiobook app (mobile version of OverDrive® Media Console™) for BlackBerry®. Popular devices like the BlackBerry Storm™ and BlackBerry Curve™ can now be used to download MP3 audiobooks. This audiobook app for BlackBerry® joins the mobile suite of apps that are already available for Windows Mobile® and Android™ devices. To download an audiobook app, users can visit http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc.

   

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