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eMedia FAQs
Frequently asked questions and assistance for our eMedia services.
Contents
- What is an eAudiobook?
- What is an eBook?
- What is an eVideo?
- What if I need assistance getting started?
- What devices will work with eAudiobooks?
- What is the difference between MP3 and WMA formatted eAudiobooks?
- What is Mobipocket?
- What is an EPUB eBook?
- How long can I check out eMedia titles?
- Will my iPhone or iPod work?
- Will this work on my Mac?
- Can I burn eAudiobooks to a CD?
- Will the eBooks work with my Amazon Kindle?
- Can I download eMedia at the library?
- What software do I need?
- Help! OverDrive is not allowing me to check out a title.
- Can I return what I have checked out early?
- What do you have available?
These are electronic versions of audiobooks that you can download and listen to on your computer or transfer to a portable listening device to take with you on the go. You can find eAudiobooks 24 hours a day/7 days a week through our website. OverDrive eAudiobooks are checked out for 21 days with a limit of 10 titles at a time. At the end of the lending period, titles are automatically returned and you never have to worry about overdue fines!
These are electronic versions of print books that you can download and read on your computer or transfer to a compatible portable device to take with you on the go. You can find eBooks 24 hours a day/7 days a week through our website. OverDrive eBooks are checked out for 21 days with a limit of 10 titles at a time. At the end of the lending period, titles are automatically returned and you never have to worry about overdue fines!
These are electronic versions of videos that you can download and view on your computer or transfer to a compatible portable device to take with you on the go. You can find eVideos 24 hours a day/7 days a week through our website. OverDrive eVideos are checked out for 7 days with a limit of 10 titles at a time. At the end of the lending period, titles are automatically returned and you never have to worry about overdue fines!
If you need assistance, OverDrive has detailed Help screens.
OverDrive also has a “Quick Start Guide” and excellent video tutorials under “Digital Media Guided Tour” which are extremely useful when getting started.
If you need further assistance, you can contact your local Miami-Dade Public Library System branch or contact us via email.
- OverDrive – Compatible Portable Devices
The WMA formatted eAudiobooks contain Digital Rights Management software which prevents a title from playing after the lending period is over. WMA files are also smaller in size and a faster download than the MP3 format. Users can download either format to enjoy their eAudiobook on their computer; however, if you would like to transfer the eAudiobook to an iPod or iPhone, you need to use the MP3 format. WMA formatted eAudiobooks can be transferred to portable devices other than iPods as long as they support this format. Most MP3 eAudiobooks from OverDrive also allow you to burn them to CDs.
The Mobipocket Reader is a universal eBook reader for PCs running Windows as well as Smartphones and most PDAs. If you are interested in reading your eBook on your PDA or Smartphone, you can use the Mobipocket eBook type rather than Adobe PDF eBooks. All you need is to install the free Mobipocket Reader software on your PC. Click here for more information on the Mobipocket Reader.
OverDrive offers Adobe EPUB eBooks which are digital versions of print books that have been optimized for on-screen reading. The text is reflowable, meaning you can change the font, size, etc. and the text will rewrap itself to fit the screen. These eBooks support embedded content such as pictures and videos.
OverDrive eAudiobooks are checked out for 21 days.
OverDrive eBooks are checked out for 21 days.
OverDrive eVideos are checked out for 7 days.
You can have up to 10 titles checked out with OverDrive at a time.
iPods and iPhones will work with the MP3 formatted titles. If you would like to download a title to your iPod or iPhone, make sure the title is in MP3 format – not WMA format. There are icons located next to each title that displays the format type.
Yes, you can now use a Mac to download OverDrive MP3 titles. You just need to download the Mac version of OverDrive Media Console, a free software installation.
OverDrive:
Most eAudiobooks allow you to burn them to a CD-R. The publisher of each title decides whether or not to allow the title to be burned to CD; this decision is at the publisher’s discretion.
In OverDrive, there are icons beneath each title that indicate what you can do with that title. If the WMA or MP3 eAudiobook has the “Burn to CD” icon colored, you can burn that title to CD.
Most of the eAudiobooks in MP3 format are multi-part. Each individual part fits on one CD-R – so if you have a 10-part eAudiobook, you would need 10 CD-Rs to burn the entire title to CD. The OverDrive Media Console software has a built-in Burn Wizard to assist you in burning your title to CD.
The Amazon Kindle does not currently support eBooks protected by Adobe or Mobipocket DRM (Digital Rights Management).
You may browse and checkout eMedia titles while you are in the library, however downloading is not available from library computers.
OverDrive eAudiobooks and eVideos – OverDrive Media Console
OverDrive Mobipocket eBooks – Mobipocket Reader
OverDrive PDF eBooks – Adobe Digital Editions
OverDrive checks your library card account every time you want to check out an eMedia title. If you have reached your maximum number of checkouts at the library, you are restricted from checking out titles from OverDrive until you return some of your other checked out library materials. Also, if you have fines/fees over $30 or your library account needs renewal, OverDrive will not allow you to check out titles. Please call or visit your branch to inquire about your account.
Using Adobe Digital Editions for PDF and EPUB eBooks, you can return an eBook before it expires. Just go to your Borrowed Items area, select the title you wish to return, and select “Return Borrowed Item” under the Item Options arrow on the corner of the book.
Other eMedia formats cannot be returned early. They will expire on their own at the end of the lending period and you can always check them out again if you need to. If you have checked out the maximum number of titles allowed, you would have to wait for one to expire before you can check out another.
All downloadable eMedia titles through OverDrive are searchable in our Library Catalog.
The Miami-Dade Public Library System also offers streaming eMedia content for adults, young adults, and children. No downloading necessary – view online.
- African American Music – streaming music in a variety of genres including thousands of historical recordings.
- Gale Virtual Reference Library - a collection of subject encyclopedias, handbooks and guides covering many disciplines such as business, education, law, medicine, religion, and more.
- Learning Express eBooks – a collection of career materials, that includes books about academic and licensing test preparation, resume writing and interviewing.
- Music Online – streaming music in a variety of genres including American song, jazz, classical, world music, opera, and more. Also includes PDF musical scores and streaming videos of opera performances.
- Smithsonian Global Sound – a virtual encyclopedia of the world’s musical and aural traditions.
- TumbleBook Library – a collection of animated talking picture books, quizzes, games, and more for children and families.
- TumbleReadables – a collection of eBooks for all ages that can be read online.
- TumbleTalkingBooks – a collection of streaming eAudiobooks for all ages.
- Yiddish Books Online – access to the full-texts of nearly 11,000 out-of-print Yiddish titles.
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