Showing posts with label Overdrive. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Overdrive. Show all posts

National Read an eBook Day with Overdrive and Hoopla!

9/18/2015 03:26:00 PM maze
Today is National Read an eBook Day when we celebrate one of the most convenient ways to read a book.



Nothing can replace the feel of a book in your hands or the way a full bookshelf can brighten any room, but eReaders can offer new possibilities to those who are unable to get to their local library branch to borrow books. The ability to customize font size and type, contrast and built in lights can offer improved experience for those readers who are visually impaired.

At Bossier Parish Library we have two services that allow you to borrow eBooks on your device: Overdrive and Hoopla.



Hoopla is our relatively new service that offers not just eBooks, but eAudiobooks, Music and Movies. You can find it online at http://hoopladigial.com. You can also find our instructions here on our blog: Hoopla.



Overdrive is one of our older services, but adds new content every day. Overdrive also allows you to download eBooks. and Audiobooks. You can find it online at http://overdrive.greengoldlibraries.org or you can download the Overdrive app on to your phone or tablet.



For more information on these or any other Digital Service provided by Bossier Library, ask at your local branch! We will also be having a Digital Services information session on Friday September 25th at the Central Branch. Pick up a class calendar for more details! 

Labels: , , , ,

Get help with Overdrive - now even easier!

2/13/2015 03:51:00 PM maze
Getting help with Overdrive is now even easier! But first:

What exactly is Overdrive? 


Overdrive is an app that allows you to read eBooks and listen to audio-books on your phone or tablet. It's part of your library account, so there's never any charge. The books return automatically so you can't even be charged late fees. New books are added to the collection every day. For some of these books, you'll need an Adobe ID. This is a free ID that you create using your email one time only. If you're not comfortable with creating an Adobe ID, don't worry! There are plenty of books you can still access.

Overdrive is available for: Apple (via iTunes) Android (via Google Play), Windows Phone.

Download for other devices including Kindle, Nook and your PC can be found on the Overdrive Website. You can also get to the Overdrive site through the Bossier Library homepage: http://bossierlibrary.org. There is a link on the right hand side for Overdrive.



As great and convenient as Overdrive is, occasional problems can occur. Sometimes a book won't download correctly or might not download at all. Getting help for these issues is now easier than ever - and you can go straight to the source. Bossier Library is now signed for Frontline support from Overdrive. That lets you skip the middle man in the IT Department here at the library and go straight to the tech support at Overdrive itself. This allows you to save time as you don't have to wait for library staff to contact Overdrive on your behalf. 

So, how do you use FrontLine Support? 

If you have a problem with a book or audiobook in Overdrive, the easiest way to contact them is through the GreenGold/Overdrive Website. If you use Overdrive this site will be familiar to you, as it's the one you use to find and borrow books. 

To access Overdrive FrontLine support, first click the Help Icon at the top of the page. You can see it below outlined in blue. 




On the Help Page, you can find How-to articles and instructions. If those are not helpful, click on the Support button near the bottom of the page to access FrontLine support. 


The next step will be to choose your library - in this case Bossier Parish Library. (Lucky us near the top of the list!)


This takes you directly to the Overdrive FrontLine Tech Support contact page. Fill out all the information, including Name, Library Card Number, Email, and the exact problem with the book and Overdrive will find a solution! 



The greatest thing about Overdrive FrontLine support is that they are available for Bossier Parish Library patrons 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Having trouble downloading a book on Christmas? In the past you would have had to wait for the library to reopen, but now with FrontLine support you can get help, even on holidays. 



Let us know what you think in comments below! 

If you have an idea for blog posts or questions/comments, you can contact us on Facebook or Twitter. 

You can also now follow us on Instagram and Pinterest!

Labels: , , , , , ,

Keeping New Years Resolutions with BPL - Read More Books!

1/23/2015 04:25:00 PM maze
For many people, New Years Resolution means reading more books or reading different types of books than you normally choose. For example, several people at the library are choosing to meet this reading challenge, which was created by the website PopSugar.

There are several ways that Bossier Parish Library can help with your resolution to read more books. There is, of course, the most obvious answer - we certainly do have a lot of books available for free. But beyond regular paper books, there are several other ways to borrow books. 



eBooks from Overdrive

eBooks allow you to read books on your computer, tablet or phone. One of my personal favorite aspects of eBooks is that I can access them anywhere I can use my phone. That means I can read while on a break at work or even waiting in line at the grocery store. So much more enjoyable than scanning the tabloid headlines or counting the items of the person in front of you in the express lane.

Overdrive is an app that allows you to read eBooks on your computer, phone or tablet. It's part of your library account, so there's never any charge. The books return automatically so you can't even be charged late fees. New books are added to the collection every day. For some of these books, you'll need an Adobe ID. This is a free ID that you create using your email one time only. If you're not comfortable with creating an Adobe ID, don't worry! There are plenty of books you can still access.
Overdrive is available for: Apple (via iTunes) Android (via Google Play), Windows Phone.
Download for other devices including Kindle, Nook and your PC can be found on the Overdrive Website.


Audio Books

Audio books can be a great way to read more books while still taking care of other responsibilities. You can listen to audio books during your daily commute or while running errands around town. They can also make more unpleasant tasks like household chores or exercising more enjoyable. You can checkout books on CD to listen in your car at any Bossier Parish Library branch. 

Bossier Parish Library also has two online services that offer Audio Books: Overdrive and Hoopla. These services allow you to checkout Audio Books on your computer, tablet or smartphone. These books return automatically, which means you never risk overdue fines. Both of these services are available as apps for tablets or smartphones, or you can access their respective websites on your computer. We did a instructional post on Hoopla here on our blog.




If you have an idea for blog posts or questions/comments, you can contact us on Facebook or Twitter. 

You can also now follow us on Instagram and Pinterest!

Labels: , , , , ,

How to Get Started with Overdrive...

2/14/2011 10:00:00 PM Jaketha, I/T Manager 0 comments
TO GET STARTED: 

To start using Overdrive, visit our “Virtual Branch” at http://bossier.lib.overdrive.com/.

Find the “Software Downloads” link on the left side of our Virtual Branch Page. You must download two pieces of software:

  • Adobe Digital Editions: e-book software. 
    •  ADE will need to be activated with an email address.  Follow directions on the installation screen.
  • Overdrive Media Console:  allows you to enjoy audiobooks, music, and videos. 
Once you install the software, you will be ready to download some books! 
  • Click on a title to download.
  • Click “Add to my Digital Bookbag.” 
  • From there, you can “Browse for More Titles”, or “Proceed to Checkout.” 


TO CHECKOUT:

  • You will be prompted to “Sign In.”
  • Login with your library card number and PIN.
    • Your PIN is the last 4 digits of your library card number.
  • Select 7 or 14-day checkout.
  • Click “Confirm Checkout.”
  •  Download your titles.
    •  E-books will open in Adobe Digital Editions
    • Audiobooks, music, and video will open in Overdrive Media Console
Once your titles are downloaded, you can transfer them to a portable device.  

Don’t have a portable device?  Not a problem!  You can enjoy all of our downloadable materials directly from your computer!

Want to learn more about Overdrive? Read our Jan. 26th article entitled Why Buy When You Can Download? available here. Still need help, then send an email to overdrive@bossierlibrary.org. 
Labels: , , ,

Why Buy When You Can Download eBooks for Free?

1/26/2011 10:00:00 AM Jaketha, I/T Manager 0 comments
Did you get a nice, shiny e-reader for Christmas? How about a new iPod or MP3 player? Through your library’s newest service, Overdrive, you can checkout and download e-books and audiobooks without leaving your couch. (We also have music and videos available!)

All you need is your library card, a computer with an Internet connection, and free software.

How it works:

To start using Overdrive, visit our “Virtual Branch” at http://bossier.lib.overdrive.com/. Our homepage features iPod compatible audiobooks, the newest additions to our collections, and our most popular titles.

We have a variety of collections for you to browse on the left side of the page, including our audiobook (fiction /nonfiction), e-book (fiction / nonfiction), music, and video collections. These collections are broken down into different genres for more specific browsing. For example, our ‘Audiobook Fiction’ collection is broken down into several genres, such as Mystery, Romance, and Historical Fiction. We also have separate collections for children and teens. You can sort each collection by the date the titles were added, popularity, title, and creator.

Check out the public domain e-books from Project Gutenberg, which don’t count against your number of checkouts and are yours to keep forever.

To get started:

Find the “Software Downloads” link on the left side of our Virtual Branch Page. You must download two pieces of software:

  • Adobe Digital Editions: e-book software.
    • ADE will need to be activated with an email address. Follow directions on the installation screen. 
  • Overdrive Media Console: allows you to enjoy audiobooks, music, and videos.
Once you install the software, you will be ready to download some books!
  • Click on a title to download.
  • Click “Add to my Digital Bookbag.”
  • From there, you can “Browse for More Titles”, or “Proceed to Checkout.”


To Checkout:

  • You will be prompted to “Sign In.”
  •  Login with your library card number and PIN.
    • Your PIN is the last 4 digits of your library card number.
  • Select 7 or 14-day checkout.
  • Click “Confirm Checkout.”
  • Download your titles.
    • E-books will open in Adobe Digital Editions.
    • Audiobooks, music, and video will open in Overdrive Media Console
Once your titles are downloaded, you can transfer them to a portable device.

Don’t have a portable device? Not a problem! You can enjoy all of our downloadable materials directly from your computer!

Pros:

  • Free of charge
  • Available 24/7
  • No late fees
  • No wait time for overdue returns
    • Once an item placed on hold returns to the system, you are immediately notified that it’s available to download
Cons:

  • Publisher decides which titles are available and in which format
    • Some books not available at all
    • Some titles only available in one format
      • May be incompatible with Macs
    • However, we select the most versatile options for downloading, as well as the hottest titles as soon as they are available
  • One book, one user
    • We purchase individual electronic copies of a title, just like physical items.
    • If a book is checked out, it’s unavailable to other patrons.
    • However, you may put a hold on a book and will be notified via email when it is available.
  • No renewals
    • Can be checked out again immediately if no holds on item
  • No early returns
    • except for Adobe e-books

Getting started with this service may seem a little daunting, but have no fear! Once you get over the initial hurdles of downloading the software and transferring to a device for the first time, the process will be smooth sailing from there.

Tips:


Kimberly is the Children’s Acquisitions Librarian and has worked at the Bossier Parish Library for 1.5 years. She has been fully immersed in Overdrive since September. Some of the downloadable titles she has recently enjoyed include “Freedom” by Jonathan Franzen, and “The Other Wes Moore” by Wes Moore. You can contact her with Overdrive questions at overdrive@bossierlibrary.org
Labels: , , , , ,
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)