What is Overdrive?
OverDrive is a large collection of digital titles that includes best-sellers, literature, nonfiction, young adult and children’s titles, and much more. There are two ways you can enjoy books through OverDrive: eBooks which you can read on your computer screen, through your web browser, through OverDrive Read application, or transfer to a portable ereader device such as a Kindle or iPad; and eAudiobooks where you listen to the book being read to you either from your computer or on a portable player. OverDrive also has some videos available to download and watch on your computer.
OverDrive titles are searchable in our catalog, however, OverDrive's new website allows patrons to borrow titles with one click. All patrons need to go to our OverDrive webpage, logon with their library card and PIN numbers, and search for titles to begin the download process.
It is recommended that you Discover the Next Generation Experience to get an overview of OverDrive. This link is also available to patrons at the top of OverDrive's home screen through MDPLS.
Obtaining ebooks With OverDrive
OverDrive's video tutorial Discover the Next Generation Experience provides an overview of the simple process of clicking on a book, clicking on the "Borrow" or "Place a Hold" button, and checking out an ebook or eaudio book. OverDrive's Library Digital Collection (Getting Started) video also provides information on performing searches, adding titles to your wish list, placing holds, and other site navigation information:
To amp up your reference service, you can also utilize the navigation short cuts on the home page to limit searched by type and genre.
Once in the search window, you can further filter searches by Format, Subject, Publisher, Language, Grade Level, Rating, and Device. Note that you can also limit the search to available titles.
Searches performed from this page will be further limited by the selections already made!
Resolving Technical Issues
Sounds easy, right? Well, it is; but it isn't. OverDrive offers myriad formats for different devices, and different ways to read or hear books. For example, if you do not have a Kindle, you can still download and read Kindle books so long as you have the Kindle app, which is available for iPhone, iPad, Windows, Mac OS, etc. Likewise, Adobe books can be similarly read on devices so long as the Adobe Read app is downloaded. Also, books offerred in "Read" format - permitting the item to be read in a browswer - can be read from a device, so long as the browser supports the Read format (you may encounter trouble with this in Kindle's browser and earlier versions of Internet Explorer).
Confused? Don't worry. OverDrive has a detailed Help section. You can access this help section by clicking the ? on the home page:
OverDrive Help is divided into six different topics. Take a moment to review these topics. They can be used to provide reference services to your patrons; you can also refer patrons to this page so they may learn remotely.
Discover the Next Generation Experience takes you to the same tutorial recommended above.
OverDrive Help takes you to OverDrive's Help page. This Help page is very versitle because you can:
- perform keyword searches
- "Get Started With . . ." your particular device by clicking on the links for Kindle, iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch, NOOK, or generic sections regarding MP3 Players, among others
- link to other articles based on top search queries
- link to other Help topics using the left navigation pane
Software takes you to information regarding downloadable applications that permit certain ebook formats to be read, regardless of device being used.
Device Resource Center may be the single most important Help topic. Here, many questions relating to device-ebook and device-eaudio book issues can be answered. It is a VERY important step to realize what format is compatible with what device(s)! OverDrive also provides information on "Incompatibility."
Library Lending Policies provides information on our lending policies. Patrons can learn how to change their lending period, cancel a hold, change their email address, and what to do if a new library card number has been issued.
Support allows patrons to contact OverDrive directly with any questions.
Apps Used With OverDrive
Want to read a book or listen to an audiobook, but do not have the "right" device? There may be an app for that!OverDrive Media Console is an all-in-one application that incorporates checkout, download, and Adobe ePub ereader.
- permits access to ePub books through OverDrive
- permits a "back door" through which patrons can easily download items so long as the have internet access and an Adobe.com account (login automatically prompted through app)
- available for download on most devices, including iPads, iPhones, iPod Touch, Android, Windows Phone, Blackberry, PlayBook, Kindle, Nook, Mac and Windows computers.
OverDrive Read is not an app, but an web-based ereader. You can now read books in your browswer by clicking/tapping "Read" next to the book in OverDrive.
Adobe Digital Editions allows patrons to read Adobe ePub and ePDF books.
Kindle Reading App allows patrons to read Kindle books on devices other than their Kindles. This application is a great because it:
- permits access to Kindle books through OverDrive even if a patron does not have a Kindle device
- permits a "back door" through which patrons can easily download books so long as they have internet access and an Amazon.com account (helpful if a patron only access the internet through the library's wifi)
- does not require owning a Kindle
