Fran's Everyday Tips for Everyday Life: Checking Out a Free eBook From Your Public Library

Hi Everyone. I’m Fran. When I need tips or information fast, I’m just like you. I'm looking for the same answers. But sometimes these things don’t always pop up, say, on your search engine of choice…I hear you. Everyday tips for everyday life? Let's figure out how, together.

Summer is here! And one of the hottest things going on in public libraries right now is downloading free eBooks to your eReader devices. This week, I am going to take you through how to do this, step by step. I also follow with some basic troubleshooting. These steps may seem like a lot of work, but they are so easy to do once you begin. You will get the hang of it in no time. (The terms device and eReader are used and are interchangeable).

How to Check Out an eBook from your Public Library :

1. Grab your library card
2. Visit Nassau Digital Doorway (OverDrive): http://nassau.lib.overdrive.com/.
3. You can search for titles in the following ways: entering title/keywords in the search bar; browse by format; browse by subject. eBook titles are in one of these formats: Kindle, EPUB or PDF.
4. If you would like to download an available book, rather than place a reserve, make sure to check the small box that reads "Only show available copies".
5. When you have found a title you want, select “Add to cart.” If the title is already checked out, you may request it by selecting “Place a hold.” After you add an available title to your cart, select “Proceed to Checkout.” Select your library in the drop down menu. Then enter your library card number. Select “Confirm check out.”
6. You can check out up to five (5) titles at one time for a 14 day loan period. The eBooks automatically disappear after your loan period is over. Some books, like those by Disney Digital Books and those under the Project Gutenberg License are available all the time and do not count against your check outs.
7. A) If you are using a Kindle, click on "Get for Kindle." You will then be directed to Amazon.com to redeem your public library loan. You will be required to login to your Amazon.com account -- if you're not already logged in. OverDrive eBooks can only be delivered over Wi-Fi. Choose to read the book on your Kindle device, free Kindle reading app (e.g. Kindle for iPad), or Kindle Cloud Reader.
8. B) If you have another eReader, such as Nook, Kobo, Sony, or similar, you may now download the title using the “Download” button under the item. When asked “Do you want to open or save this file, select “Open.” The title will automatically open in Adobe Digital Editions.
9. B) Click on the Library View (the icon of bookshelves, upper left) within Adobe Digital Editions. Your downloaded title is listed on the right. Drag and drop the title you would like to transfer onto the Nook (or other device name) icon below the bookshelves. Safely remove your device and pull out the USB cable. Your title will now be available to read on your device.

Authorizing Adobe Digital Editions (does not apply to Kindle):

1. If you have an Adobe ID (if you use Photoshop or similar Adobe products), enter your Adobe ID and password.
2. Click Authorize.
3. If you do not have an Adobe ID…Click: Get a free Adobe ID. This will open Adobe's website.
4. Follow the steps to create an Adobe account. For now, you must sign up for this in order to read these types of eBooks.
5. Return to OverDrive
6. Enter the email address and password for your Adobe ID.
7. Click Authorize. Then follow instructions 1 - 6 above under How to Check Out an eBook from your Public Library.

Downloading the OverDrive App for iPad:

1. Download OverDrive Media Console for iPad  from the App Store.
2. Click the 'Free App' button. You will be prompted to sign in with your Apple ID.
3. Enter your  Apple ID and Password and click the 'Get' button. When the download is complete the application is displayed as an App on your iPad.
4. Click on OverDrive Media Console
5. Click on Get Books and select Nassau Digital Doorway
6. Select an eBook in Adobe EPUB format (you can also opt for Kindle format if your iPad has the Kindle App installed on it)
7. It helps to click the box "Limit to available titles" which corresponds to the "Only show available copies" on the website.
8. This App can be very slow and Safari may time out. Retry (or you can also opt for Kindle format if their iPad has the Kindle App installed on it).
9. Adobe Digital Editions should prompt. Then follow instructions 1 - 6 above under How to Check Out an eBook from your Public Library.

If you have an iPad and use the Kindle app for iPad, it works the same way for delivery of eBooks as if you had a separate Kindle device. So, you may wish to use the Kindle app for iPad vs. OverDrive’s own app for iPad.

Basic Kindle Troubleshooting:

Transferring Content to Your Kindle via USB:

Due to publisher restrictions, some books in the Kindle format cannot be delivered wirelessly and must be downloaded and transferred via USB. Both Windows and Mac users can download and transfer content from a computer to a Kindle device through a USB cable.

1. When your Kindle device is plugged into your computer, it will appear as a removable mass-storage device.
2. You can do this by plugging in the larger end of the cable (sometimes covered by the plug cap) into a USB port on your computer and the smaller end into the smaller port on the bottom of our Kindle. (Make sure you are not using the charging option).
3. Then select "Download and transfer via USB".
4. When prompted, go into Computer or My Computer folder. On Mac, it will be on the desktop. Open the Kindle devices folder.
5. Save/move the file to the documents folder location (which is on your Kindle device).
6. Safely remove your Kindle and pull out the USB cable.
7. Your title should appear on the top of the titles list on your Kindle.

Transferring via USB is usually not a factor if using a Kindle Fire device.

Connecting to Wi-Fi:

Kindle can connect wirelessly through a home Wi-Fi network, or places that offer Wi-Fi access. Kindle automatically detects nearby Wi-Fi networks that broadcast their network name.

1. From the Home screen, press the Menu button.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select View next to Wi-Fi Settings to display a list of detected Wi-Fi networks. You may have to wait a moment as Kindle detects networks in range.
4. Select Connect to connect to a network. Enter the Wi-Fi network password if necessary. Use the SYM key to enter any numbers or symbols, and the Shift key for uppercase characters.

Once you have successfully connected to a Wi-Fi network, Kindle will automatically connect to it when it detects a signal from that network.

Searching in Archived Items:

Sometimes OverDrive delivers the eBooks to your Kindle Archived Items. Kindle displays the items you've downloaded on the Home screen. If you have content stored in your Kindle library that isn't displayed, check your Archive:

1. Select "Archived Items" from the Home screen or "View Archived Items" from the Menu.
2. Select the item from the Archived Items screen.

Please note that OverDrive Nassau Digital Doorway is different from the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library, the latter of which is through Amazon itself,  if you own a Kindle device and you are a full member of Amazon Prime.

If any of the above does not seem to work, please click on these links:

OverDrive Help from Nassau Digital Doorway

Amazon.com Help: Public Library Books for Kindle

You may also call your local public library's Reference Desk.

These steps may seem like there is a lot of information to think about and apply all at once. But, once you begin, I am sure you will get the hang of downloading library eBooks in no time.

Enjoy your eBooks this summer. Happy Reading!

*I make the disclaimer that in following the above tips, you may be subject to various Internet terms of usage. I am not soliciting or representing anything in the provided links. If signing up, registering or joining with a site, please proceed with your normal caution. As always, read through all the terms or use, third party policies and do not feel pressure to provide any information you are not required to provide. If you are ever concerned about junk e-mail and snail mail, you can opt-out of communications using that company’s policy pages.