What are downloadable eAudiobooks?

Downloadable eAudiobooks are digital versions of audiobooks (a recording of a book read aloud) that are available through the Internet.

eAudiobooks can be played on a computer that supports Windows Media Player version 9.0 and above.

You can also transfer your favorite titles to a wide range of portable devices such as MP3 players, media centers, Pocket PCs and even select smartphone devices.

Sound complicated? Get detailed instructions here, or come to the library and the staff can help you understand what type of equipment and software you will need.

*iPods and Zunes are currently not supported. (Why not?)

Is this better than books on CD or tape?

Here are some of the best advantages of downloadable eAudiobooks:

What do I need and how do I get started?

You will need the following:

To go portable you will also need a portable device that supports the playback of:

See a demo here
Download the brochure (PDF)

Supported portable devices

Requirements and Recommendations

The main requirement for a portable device is that the device must be able to support playback of secure or protected wma files. This may include portable music players (such as MP3 players), portable media centers, Pocket PCs, and even select smartphone devices (what are these?).

The eAudiobooks are provided in 2 sound qualities, CD (32 kbps) and Radio (4 kbps) quality. Most devices do not support the playback of files lower than 32 kbps. If you are going to transfer and listen to an eAudiobook on a device, you should download the CD quality file.

To have an optimal experience when listening to an eAudiobook, it is recommended that you select devices that support features such as bookmarking and full time stamping. These features are not required and may only be found on more expensive devices. Devices that have a storage capacity of 512 MB at a minimum are also recommended since the average CD quality eAudiobook file size is 140 MB.

What is bookmarking?
Bookmarking allows you to mark your place in a long file (such as an eAudiobook) so that you can easily return to it later. Most MP3 players that do not have the bookmarking feature will pause the eAudiobook when you turn off the player. When you turn it back on, you can resume where you left off. However, if you want to listen to something else on your player before going back to your eAudiobook, then you will lose your place in your eAudiobook. Having the bookmarking feature is a good idea if you think you will be skipping around between the files on your MP3 player. Of course, bookmarking is not absolutely necessary. Most MP3 players have a fast forward and reverse, but this can be aggravating if you are trying to fast forward through 3+ hours of an eAudiobook to find your place. Most players that offer bookmarking are more sophisticated and expensive than those that do not.

What is full-time stamping?
Some devices limit time tracking to a pre-defined period of time and often eAudiobooks files may be longer than the pre-defined period in the device. In this case, the complete length of the file will not be shown in the device. Devices that support full time stamping do not limit the time tracking of a file in any way and will allow the full length of an eAudiobook file to display. For example, you may download a book that is 10 hours long. If your portable device does not support full-time stamping, it may show that the book you downloaded is only 6 hours long. A portable device that supports full-time stamping would correctly display the length of the book as 10 hours.

What device should I buy? - See CNET MP3 Player Buying Guide
The MP3 player market is constantly changing, with new devices appearing and older devices being discontinued on a seemingly daily basis. While the library cannot recommend specific players, we can point you to some resources that may help you decide.

An exceptionally thorough and easy-to-follow buying guide can be found at CNET Reviews. This guide explains the different types of MP3 players, helps you decide what kind of MP3 user you are, and gives recommendations.

To learn more about secure or protected wma files and devices that support Windows Media Audio, visit Windows Media Plays for Sure. Also, Recorded Books has a list of recommended players and features that may be helpful. (Some of these recommended players may no longer be in production.)

If you already have a device, you may want to check the documentation provided with your device or your device manufacturer's website. Several manufacturer's websites are also listed below.

Rio
Creative
Archos
Sandisk

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How to get started

Create an account

You can search eAudiobooks in the library. However, to download and listen to eAudiobooks, you must first create a free NetLibrary account. You can create your account from home or at the library.

  1. Have your library card and PIN handy and click here to validate yourself as an authorized library patron. (You only have to complete this step once.)
  2. Once validated, you will be directed to the NetLibrary website where you will select a user name and password (be sure to keep this information in a safe place).

Log in anywhere, anytime

Once you have created an account, you can log into the library's collection from any computer with Internet access.

  1. Go to www.netlibrary.org and enter the user name and password that you created (NOT your library barcode and PIN).
  2. Click the Login button.
  3. You now have access to all eAudiobooks available in the library's collection - with no waiting, reservations or late fees.

Search

Go to www.netlibrary.org to begin searching for eAudiobooks.

Basic Search lets you quickly find good eAudiobooks to listen to, using the Keyword, Title, Author, or Narrator fields. Find Basic Search on the home page and on the right side of every page (except the Advanced Search page).

  1. Enter a search term in the Basic Search field.
  2. Select Keyword, Title, Author or Narrator.
  3. Click Search.
  4. eAudiobook titles will appear in your search results.

Advanced Search offers multiple fields and Boolean operators.

  1. Click on the Advanced Search tab located in the top navigation.
  2. Use the drop-down menu to select search parameters (Title, Author, Narrator, Subject, Keyword, ISBN).
  3. Enter search term(s).
  4. Click Search.

The eAudiobooks Center, which is available by clicking on the eAudiobooks Center link on your NetLibrary home page, lets you limit searches to eAudiobook content and browse featured titles.

Tip: You can also find adult downloadable eAudiobooks and children's downloadable eAudiobooks using the library's online catalog, iPac.

Checkout

The default checkout period for a downloadable eAudiobook is 3 weeks.You may check out a maximum of 10 eAudiobook titles at one time. eAudiobooks may not be downloaded to public computers in the library - please download at home.

  1. From search results, click on the Download This eAudiobook link.
  2. Select a download option: CD or radio. Choose radio for dial-up access if you plan to listen to the eAudiobook on your computer only; Choose CD for high-speed access if you plan to transfer the eAudiobook to a portable device.

Saving and Opening the eAudiobook

You must first save the eAudiobook to your computer before playing it or transferring it to a portable device.

  1. When prompted to Save, select a familiar location on your computer. This may be your Desktop, or your My Documents folder. You will want to delete the eAudiobook in the future, so please take note of where you have saved it.
    • We recommend that you create a folder on your desktop to store all of your eAudiobooks.
    • You can do this by right-clicking on your desktop, click New, and then Folder.
    • Name your folder (for example, eAudiobooks).
    • Now you have a handy place to store and retrieve all of your downloaded eAudiobooks!
  2. After saving the eAudiobook to your computer, you will need to find and open the eAudiobook.
  3. Double-clicking on the file will open the eAudiobook, launch Windows Media Player, and download the necessary license.

Transfer your eAudiobook to a portable device

Before transferring an eAudiobook to a portable device, you must open it at least once on your computer to acquire the necessary license. You can then transfer the title to a portable device using your media player. Please refer to your media player's help section for complete details.

If using Windows Media Player 9:

  1. Select Copy to Device or CD from the menu on the left side of the screen.
  2. Use the pull-down menu at the top of the right side of your screen to list All music.
  3. Choose your device from the drop-down menu on the right side of the screen. Make sure the box next to the book you want to transfer is checked.
  4. Click on the Copy button on the top to the right of your screen.

If using Windows Media Player 10:

  1. The file will show up on the right side. Right click on the file, select Add to and then select Sync List.
  2. Select Sync from the menu at the top of the player.
  3. The name of your portable device should be in the right panel.
  4. Your eAudiobook should be in the Sync list in the left panel. Put a check in the checkbox of the file you want to transfer.
  5. Click on the Start Sync button on the upper left.
  6. Do not disconnect your device while copying is in process. After the copy is completed, disconnect your device according to your manufacturer's instructions. (*Some MP3 players will need to use the Safely Remove Hardware icon (on the taskbar) before removing the USB cable or an error will occur.)

Note: This information and more can be found in the Windows Media Player v10 Help Contents under: Synchronizing content to devices > Synchronizing media items to your device > To synchronize content manually.

If using Windows Media Player 11:

  1. Click the Sync tab (not the drop-down list below the tab).
  2. Click Now Playing in the menu on the left.
  3. Click and drag your eAudiobook title into the right pane.
  4. Click the Start Sync button located below the right pane.
  5. When synchronizing is 100 percent complete, diconnect your portable following its instructions.

Renew

At any point during the checkout period, you can renew your checkout for an additional 21 days.Important: You must renew items on the same computer that you used to checkout and download the items.

  1. Log in.
  2. Click on the My Checked Out Items link.
  3. Click on the Download this eAudiobook link for the title you want to renew.
  4. Click on the Renew Your Checkout For 21 Days link.

If you attempt to open an expired eAudiobook on your computer, you will be prompted to log in to the NetLibrary website and renew checkout for an additional 21 days.

If you don't have a high-speed connection at home, you have 2 options for accessing the eAudiobook service at the Library.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: How many eAudiobooks are there to choose from?
A: The collection is constantly growing! Currently, there are over 1,300 adult books and 300 children and young adult books in the following subjects/genres:

Q: How do I find eAudiobooks?
A: You can find eAudiobooks by performing a Search on the NetLibrary home page, and from the eAudiobook Center.

Q: Do I need a NetLibrary account to access eAudiobooks?
A: Yes and no. You can search and listen to a free preview of most eAudiobooks in the library's collection, without logging in. To download and listen to eAudiobooks on your personal computer and supported portable listening devices, you will need a NetLibrary account.

Q: Do I need any software on my computer to listen to eAudiobooks?
A: eAudiobooks can be downloaded or played on any personal computer or portable listening device that supports Microsoft Windows Media Player v9 and above, Musicmatch Jukebox v8.2 and above, or Nullsoft Winamp v5 and above.

Q: Can I play eAudiobooks on portable listening devices?
A: Yes. eAudiobooks are compatible with a wide range of portable listening devices that support secure WMA format. See Supported Portable Listening Devices.

Q: How do I transfer an eAudiobook to my portable device using Windows Media Player version 9?
A:

  1. Select Copy to Device or CD from the menu on the left side of the screen.
  2. Use the pull-down menu at the top of the right side of your screen to list All music.
  3. Choose your device from the drop-down menu on the right side of the screen. Make sure the box next to the book you want to transfer is checked.
  4. Click on the Copy button on the top to the right of your screen.

Q: How do I transfer an eAudiobook to my portable device using Windows Media Player version 10?
A:

  1. The file will show up on the right side. Right click on the file, select Add to and then select Sync List.
  2. Select Sync from the menu at the top of the player.
  3. The name of your portable device should be in the right panel.
  4. Your eAudiobook should be in the Sync list in the left panel. Put a check in the checkbox of the file you want to transfer.
  5. Click on the Start Sync button on the upper left.
  6. Do not disconnect your device while copying is in process. AFter the copy is completed, disconnect your device according to your manufacturer's instructions. (*Some MP3 players will need to use the Safely Remove Hardware icon (on the taskbar) before removing the USB cable or an error will occur.)

Note: This information and more can be found in the Windows Media Player v10 Help Contents under: Synchronizing content to devices > Synchronizing media items to your device > To synchronize content manually.

Q: How many eAudiobooks can I check out simultaneously?
A: You can checkout a maximum of ten (10) eAudiobooks at any given time. You will not be able to check out additional titles until the license for a currently downloaded eAudiobook expires.

Q: What is the checkout period for eAudiobooks?
A: NetLibrary automatically downloads a license, with each download, which lets you access the eAudiobook for 21 days. The license lets you copy the eAudiobook to two additional portable listening devices.

Q: Can I return an eAudiobook early?
A: No, the eAudiobook will remain active on your computer for 21 days unless you delete it. If you have 10 eAudiobooks checked out, you will not be able to check out additional titles until the license for a currently downloaded eAudiobook expires.

Q: Can I renew eAudiobooks without downloading the file a second time?
A: Yes. eAudiobooks can be renewed at any point by logging into your account. A renewal provides you with an additional 21 days of access from the date of renewal.Important: You must request the renewal on the computer where the book "lives." For example, if you download a book at work, and the book is saved on your work computer, you cannot renew the book from home. The book and its license is on your work computer and must be renewed there.

Q: Do I need to return eAudiobooks when the checkout period expires?
A: No. The license for downloaded eAudiobooks automatically expires after 21 days. You will not be able to play the eAudiobook, even though the file remains on your personal computer and portable listening device. You need to manually delete the file from your personal computer and portable listening device.

Q: Can I burn an eAudiobook to a CD?
A: Yes and no. NetLibrary cannot stop you from burning the eAudiobook file to a CD, but encryptions on the eAudiobook file will make it unusable.

Q: Do I have to wait for the file to download before I can listen to an eAudiobook?
A: No. You don't have to wait for the file to download before you can listen to the eAudiobook. Once you select a download option, you are prompted to Open or Save the eAudiobook file.

If you select the Save option, you can specify where the file is placed on your personal computer. This option takes less time to download the file, since it is only downloading the file.Note: NetLibrary highly recommends this option. If you select the Open option, NetLibrary launches Windows Media Player and begins streaming the audio as the file downloads. Once the download is completed, the file is saved to your media player's download directory. This option downloads the file slower than the Save option, since it is playing at the same time it is downloading the file. You can stop the download at any time, change the download preferences, and restart the download.

Q: What level of audio quality can I expect from an eAudiobook?
A: NetLibrary offers two audio qualities: CD quality and radio quality. CD quality offers high-fidelity playback for patrons with high-speed Internet access. Most portable listening devices do not support the playback of files lower than 32 kbps, so you must download the CD quality file if you are going to transfer and listen to the eAudiobook on a portable listening device. Radio quality provides faster download speed and is ideal for patrons with dial-up connections. Radio quality eAudiobooks can only be played on a computer.

Q: Can I download eAudiobooks to public computers in the library?
A: No. This is an "at-home" service only. Library computers have security settings that prohibit the download of any files or programs. Also, if you download and open an eAudiobook on a library computer, then your license to listen to that file is tied to that computer. You would not be able to download and listen to that specific eAudiobook on your home computer. You would also not be able to renew the eAudiobook from home. Click here to see 2 alternate solutions.

Q: Can I transfer eAudiobooks to my portable device in the library?
A: No. The transfer of eAudiobooks requires that they first be downloaded to a PC. Click here to see 2 alternate solutions.

Q: Once I've downloaded an eAudiobook, can I move it to another computer?
A: You can transfer an eAudiobook file to another computer if you haven't opened or played the eAudiobook. Once you've opened the eAudiobook, you've obtained the license that allows it to play; once you've obtained the license, you can't move the eAudiobook.

Q: Are eAudiobook files automatically removed from my computer when the checkout period expires?
A: No. You need to manually delete the eAudiobook file from your personal computer and portable listening device.

Q: How long does it take to download a NetLibrary eAudiobook?
A: Download time depends on the size of the audio file and the speed of your Internet connection. See eAudiobook Estimated Download Times.

Q: How do I listen to an eAudiobook in the car?
A: Unless your vehicle has a line input for you to plug in your media player (some newer cars do), you will need a radio transmitter or other device adapter that works with your portable listening device and car stereo. This type of equipment can typically be found at local electronics stores. Contact your device manufacturer for specific requirements.

Q: How do I delete an eAudiobook from my personal computer or portable listening device?
A: You can delete an eAudiobook file from your personal computer or portable listening device in the same manner as you delete other files.

Q: How do I know which version of Windows Media Player I have installed?
A: There are two ways you can determine which version of Windows Media Player you have installed: Press the F1 key anywhere on the Windows Media Player window. The version displays. Press the Alt key anywhere on the Windows Media Player window. The standard menu bar displays. Then click on Help and About Windows Media Player.

Q: Is there a safe way to remove the connection from my portable listening device connected to my computer?
A: Yes. NetLibrary recommends that you use the Remove Hardware option (generally found on your Control Panel) to remove the connection from your portable listening device.

Q: Can I download and play an eAudiobook on a Mac?
A: NetLibrary eAudiobooks cannot be played on Macs because the latest version of Window Media Player available for Macs (version 9) is based on Windows Media Rights Manager version 1.3. NetLibrary uses version 2.x licenses for eAudiobooks in order to maintain a high level of security. Because the latest version of Windows Media Player for Macs does not support 2.x licenses, NetLibrary eAudiobooks cannot be played on Macs at this time.

Q: Can I download and play an eAudiobook on an iPod or Zune?
A: No, NetLibrary eAudiobooks cannot be played on either iPods or Microsoft's Zune devices at this time. iPods use the .aac file format which does not support the Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection required by NetLibrary eAudiobooks. This DRM technology allows checked out items to expire on the due date, a feature that .aac technology does not offer.

Microsoft Zune does not support the Digital Rights Management protection used by NetLibrary that helps ensure that the content of its publishing partners is secure, especially when items are checked out from the library's collection and borrowed by a user rather than purchased. This technology allows checked out items to expire on the due date, a feature that the Zune does not offer.

For additional information, see iPod: About compatible song formats. Microsoft's explanation may also be helpful. Please see Zune: About Digital Rights Management (DRM) and protected content in Zune. See our section on supported portable devices.

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Troubleshooting Tips

Tips for creating your account

Forgot Your Username or Password?

If you forget your username or password, click on the Forgot Your Username or Password link on the NetLibrary home page. You are prompted to enter the email address you gave when you created your account, and then to enter the username and answer to the security question associated with this email address. Your password is emailed to this email address.

Questions and answers


Q: What if my download attempt fails?
A:Once you've checked out an eAudiobook, you can attempt to download it five times within the three-week checkout period. If you can't successfully download it, you must wait for it to expire before checking it out again.

Q: When I click on "Download CD Quality" or "Download Radio Quality" nothing happens.
A: Look at the top of your screen for the Information Bar. It will read: "To help protect your security, Internet Explorer blocked this site from downloading files to your computer. Click here for more options ..." Click on the bar. A menu appears. Click on "Download file."

Q: Why doesn't the eAudiobook download, even though I get an acquiring license message?
A: If you have an older Windows Media Player version the download appears to be working. Windows Media Player shows "acquiring license," but eventually you get a message that you don't have a license to play the eAudiobook. You need to download a newer version of Windows Media Player.

Q: What does "You need a license" mean?
A: You may have downloaded a new version of Windows Media Player and need to resync with the portable listening devices. Contact your computer or portable listening device manufacturer for specific information.

Q: Why won't the eAudiobook play on my portable listening device? It played just fine yesterday.
A: The checkout period for the eAudiobook may have expired. Login to the NetLibrary web site, and click on the My Checked Out Items link in the upper right-hand navigation, to see if the eAudiobook checkout period has expired.

Q: I can't find "Author" or "Book Title" mentioned in my Media Player. How do I find, play, and transfer my eAudiobook file?
A: Media players and portable listening devices may be music oriented, so you need to be creative when trying to find your eAudiobook file. Try looking under Album title for your eAudiobook title or under Artist when looking for the Author.

Q: I downloaded an eAudiobook, but it will not play on my computer.

Q: I can't play the eAudiobook on my portable device.

Other troubleshooting tidbits

You may have run across an e-book (not an eAudiobook). We currently have access to some free e-books (printed books for download) with this subscription. E-books will not play like an eAudiobook.

You cannot burn to CD. Although the files may burn to CD, the licensing will not allow the playback of the CD. You may find that after listening to the book for 3 hours it will then become unplayable.

If you are having trouble accessing NetLibrary, logging in, or downloading an eAudiobook, try temporarily disabling the following:

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Help

Note: The Henderson County Public Library and NetLibrary cannot provide technical support for personal computers, software media players, or portable listening devices. You need to be familiar with these technologies before attempting to download eAudiobooks. If you have any problems with your personal computer, software media players, or portable listening devices, you need to contact the appropriate manufacturer.

Have you read the FAQs and Troubleshooting Tips?

If not, please do that first. If you still need help you can:

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