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Help - Basics - OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks

What follows are frequently asked questions about OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks and OverDrive Media Console. Click the question to hear the question and answer. Each answer is followed by a back to top link that leads back to the list of questions.

What are OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks?

OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks are audiobooks that you can check out at this site. Download and listen to OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks on Android, BlackBerry, iPhone®, iPad®, iPod touch®, Mac, Windows, and Windows Phone 7 using OverDrive Media Console. On Windows and Mac, you can transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to supported devices and burn them to CD.

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What is OverDrive Media Console™?

OverDrive Media Console is the free software required to enjoy the audiobooks available at this site. OverDrive Media Console is available for computers and devices with…

  • Android v1.5 (or newer)
  • BlackBerry v4.5 (or newer)
  • iOS v4 (or newer)
  • Mac OS® 10.4.9 (or newer)
  • Windows 98 SE (or newer)
  • Windows Phone 7
Download OverDrive Media Console.

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Does OverDrive Media Console require additional software?

OverDrive Media Console for Windows and Mac require additional software.

On Windows…

On Mac…

  • iTunes v7.6.2.9 (or newer). Download iTunes.
  • Transfer to an iPod shuffle requires iTunes v8.1.0.52 (or newer).
  • Transfer to an iPad® requires iTunes v9.1 (or newer).

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How can I tell what version of iTunes I have?

On Windows…

  1. Open iTunes.
  2. Select Help > About iTunes.
    The 'About iTunes' window is displayed.
  3. The first line of scrolling text in the 'About iTunes' window lists the version of iTunes that is installed.

On Mac…

  1. Open iTunes and select iTunes > About iTunes.
    The 'About iTunes' window is displayed.
  2. The first line of scrolling text in the 'About iTunes' window lists the version of iTunes that is installed.

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How do I update my Zune device firmware?

  1. Be sure that you have the Zune desktop application v3.0 (or newer) installed. Download the Zune application.
  2. Connect the Zune to your PC.
    The Zune application opens.
  3. In the Zune application, select 'Device'.
    The 'Device' screen is displayed.
  4. Select 'Settings'.
    The device settings are displayed.
  5. Select 'Device Update'.
    The 'Device Update' options are displayed.
    The Zune application will indicate if an update is available.
  6. Click 'Install' to install the update.
    When the update is complete, the 'Device Update' screen indicates that the 'Device is up to date.'
    The Zune firmware is updated.

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How do I get started with OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks?

On Android…

  1. Install OverDrive Media Console on your device.
  2. Browse for OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks at this website.
  3. Check out using your library card.
  4. Select the title's 'Download' link.
    OverDrive Media Console opens and downloads the title.
  5. Select Menu > Play to play the title.

On BlackBerry…

  1. Install OverDrive Media Console on your device.
  2. Browse for OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks at this website.
  3. Check out using your library card.
  4. Ensure that the device has an SD card installed.
  5. Select the title's 'Download' link.
    You are asked to save an ODM file.
  6. Select 'Save'.
    The 'Downloads' screen is shown.
  7. Select the ODM file.
  8. Press the 'Menu' key.
    The Menu is shown.
  9. Select 'Open'.
    OverDrive Media Console opens.
  10. Select the title.
    You are prompted to download Parts.
  11. Select 'Yes'.
    The title's Parts are displayed.
  12. Select 'Download All'.
    The title is downloaded.
  13. Select Menu > Close.
    The Library is displayed.
  14. Select the title to play it.

On iPhone/iPad…

  1. Install OverDrive Media Console on your device.
  2. Browse for OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks at this website.
  3. Check out using your library card.
  4. Select the title's 'Download' link.
    OverDrive Media Console opens and downloads the title.
  5. Select the title to play it.

On Windows and Mac…

  1. Install OverDrive Media Console on your computer.
  2. Browse for titles using this website.
  3. Check out with your library card.
  4. Click 'Download'.
    You may be prompted to open or save an ODM file. Choose to open the file.
    OverDrive Media Console opens and the 'Get Media' box is displayed.
  5. Click OK.
    The 'Download' box is displayed.
    Choose which Part(s) to download.
  6. Click OK.
    The title is downloaded.
  7. Click 'Play' to play the title.

On Windows Phone 7…

  1. Install OverDrive Media Console on your device.
  2. Browse for titles at an OverDrive-powered library or retail website.
  3. Check out.
  4. Select the title's 'Download' link.
    OverDrive Media Console opens and downloads the title.
  5. Select the title to play it.

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I updated to OverDrive Media Console v2 (or newer) for iPhone/iPad and the app doesn’t work. What should I do?

If you experience issues after updating, please restart your device…

  1. Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button on the top of the device until the red slider appears.
  2. Slide the slider and wait for the device to shut down.
  3. Press the Sleep/Wake button again to restart.

If this does not resolve the issue, please uninstall and reinstall the app. If you continue to have problems, please contact support.

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What are the accessibility features of OverDrive Media Console?

OverDrive Media Console works with popular screen readers and includes shortcut keys for common commands. To read the OverDrive Media Console Accessibility Guide click here.

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Where are OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks saved on my computer?

OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks are saved to the following locations by default…

On Mac…
Documents > My Media > MP3 Audiobooks

On Windows Vista (or newer)…
Documents > My Media > MP3 Audiobooks

On Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 2000, and Windows 98SE…
My Documents > My Media > MP3 Audiobooks

OverDrive Media Console allows you to modify this location.

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What is the difference between OverDrive WMA Audiobooks and OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks?

OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks are compatible with both Windows and Mac computers, as well as most cell phones and MP3 players. OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks can be downloaded to devices using OverDrive Media Console for Android, BlackBerry, iPhone/iPad, or Windows Phone 7. OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks are about twice the file size of OverDrive WMA Audiobooks, but they have the same audio quality.

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To which devices can I transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks?

On Mac, you can transfer to Apple devices only.

On Windows, you can transfer to most MP3 compatible devices, including Apple and Zune devices. To review a list of compatible devices, click here.

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How do I transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to a supported device?

  1. Open OverDrive Media Console.
  2. Select a title and click the 'Transfer' button.
    The Transfer Wizard opens and the 'Welcome' screen is displayed.
  3. Connect your device to your computer.
    Click 'Next'.
  4. The Transfer Wizard searches for a device.
    If no device is detected, the Transfer Wizard displays states that 'no portable players could be found.' For more about why your device could not be found, click here.
    If your device is detected the 'Confirm' screen is displayed.
  5. Select the Part(s) you want to transfer.
    Click 'Next' to transfer the Part(s).
  6. When the transfer is complete, the 'Success' screen is displayed.
    Disconnect your device.
  7. Click 'Finish' to close the Transfer Wizard.

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How much free space do I need to transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to a device?

OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks are delivered in Parts, no more than 40MB each. As long as your device has at least 40MB of free space you should be able to transfer at least a single Part to it.

The Transfer Wizard alerts you if you do not have enough free space. Depending on your device, the Transfer Wizard may allow you to delete files from the device in order to make room for the files you want to transfer. This feature is not available for Apple devices.

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Can I transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to the mobile versions of OverDrive Media Console?

OverDrive Media Console v3.2.0.5 (or newer) for Windows can transfer titles to the following…

  • OverDrive Media Console for Android v2 (or newer)
  • OverDrive Media Console for BlackBerry v2 (or newer)

OverDrive Media Console cannot transfer titles to OverDrive Media Console for iPhone/iPad and OverDrive Media Console for Windows Phone 7.

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What additional requirements are there for transferring OverDrive MP3 Audiobook titles to Apple devices?

  • OverDrive Media Console v3.2.0.5 (or newer) for Windows or OverDrive Media Console for Mac v1.0 (or newer).
  • iTunes v9.1 (or newer) for Windows or iTunes v7.6.2.9 (or newer) for Mac.
  • On Mac, iTunes v9.1 (or newer) is required for transferring to the iPad. iTunes v8.1.0.52 (or newer) is required for transferring to the iPod shuffle.
  • The device is formatted for use with your operating system.
  • In iTunes, enable 'Manually manage music…'
    1. Connect your device to your computer.
    2. Open iTunes.
    3. Locate the device in the left navigation panel (under heading 'DEVICES'), and click the device.
      The 'Summary' screen is displayed.
    4. Place a checkmark next to 'Manually manage music…'.
    5. Click 'Apply'.
      The iTunes 'Summary' screen refreshes, and your changes are saved.

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Can I transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to my Mac®-formatted Apple® device?

Yes. In order to transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to Mac-formatted Apple devices, you must use OverDrive Media Console for Mac.

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How do I transfer an OverDrive MP3 Audiobook to an iTunes Library on Windows?

  1. Make sure you have iTunes v9.1 (or newer) installed.
  2. In OverDrive Media Console, highlight the OverDrive MP3 Audiobook title and click the 'Transfer' button.
    The Transfer Wizard is displayed.
  3. Click 'Next'.
    The Transfer Wizard searches for iTunes. When iTunes is detected, the 'Confirm' screen is displayed.
  4. Select 'iTunes Library' from the 'Player' drop-down menu. (If 'iTunes Library' is not listed, you may need to take extra steps. For more on transferring to the iTunes Library, click here.)
  5. Check the boxes for the Parts you want to transfer.
  6. Click the 'Next' button to transfer Parts.
    Once the transfer is complete, the 'Success' screen is displayed.
  7. Click 'Finish' to close the Transfer Wizard.

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How do I add OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to an iTunes Library on Mac?

  1. Open iTunes.
  2. Select File > Add to Library.
    The 'Add to Library' dialog box is displayed.
  3. Browse to Documents > My Media > MP3 Audiobooks > [Title of Audiobook].
  4. Click 'Open'.
    iTunes adds the OverDrive MP3 Audiobook files to the iTunes Library.

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What additional requirements are there for transferring OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to Zune devices?

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Can I transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobook titles to a Palm® device?

Yes. OverDrive MP3 Audiobook titles can be played on many Palm devices. You can transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to your Palm device using the same method that you currently use to sync files from your computer to your device.

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How do I perform a 'test' burn of a title?

You can place the OverDrive Media Console Burn Wizard in 'Test mode' to complete a test of the burn process. Completing a burn in 'Test mode' simulates the burn process. This allows you to check for errors before actually burning a title to CD.

To complete a burn in 'Test mode'…

  1. Open OverDrive Media Console v3.2 (or newer).
  2. Select a title and click the 'Burn' button.
    The Burn Wizard opens, and the 'Welcome' screen is displayed.
  3. Insert a blank CD into your drive.
  4. Click 'Next'.
    The Burn Wizard searches for your CD drive.
    If the drive is located, the 'Confirm' screen is displayed.
  5. Select the Part(s) to burn.
  6. Click the 'Options…' button.
    The 'Options' dialog box is displayed. Click 'Test mode (simulate burning)'.
    Click 'OK' to close the 'Options…' box.
  7. The 'Confirm' screen is displayed.
    Click 'Next'.
  8. A message is displayed confirming that a 'Test mode' burn will begin.
    Click 'OK'.
  9. When the 'Test mode' burn completes, a message is displayed. Click 'OK' to close the message.

If the 'Test mode' burn completes without error, and you want to perform an actual burn, complete the following…

  1. Click the 'Options…' button.
    The 'Options' dialog box is displayed.
  2. Uncheck 'Test mode (simulate burning)'.
  3. Click 'OK'.
  4. You can now burn the title to disc.

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How do I burn an audiobook to CD using OverDrive Media Console?

  1. Open OverDrive Media Console v3.2 (or newer).
  2. Select a title and click the 'Burn' button.
    The Burn Wizard opens, and the 'Welcome' screen is displayed.
  3. Insert a blank CD to your drive.
    Click 'Next'.
  4. The Burn Wizard searches for your drive.
    If the drive is located, the 'Confirm' screen is displayed.
  5. Select the Part(s) to burn. Note: One part may be burned to one CD.
    Click 'Next'.
  6. When the burn completes, the 'Success' screen is displayed.
    Click 'Finish' to close the Burn Wizard.

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How do I return audiobooks using OverDrive Media Console v2.4 (or newer) for Android?

To return audiobooks from the bookshelf…

  1. Tap the ‘+’ icon next to an audiobook, then tap ‘Return/Delete’.
  2. Tap 'Return then Delete'.
    The audiobook is both returned and deleted from your device.

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How do I return audiobooks using OverDrive Media Console v2.4 (or newer) for BlackBerry?

To return audiobooks from the bookshelf…

  1. Select the title you would like to return, then push the BlackBerry button.
  2. Select 'Return then Delete'.
    The audiobook is both returned and deleted from your device.

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How do I return audiobooks using OverDrive Media Console v2.4 (or newer) for Windows Phone?

To return audiobooks from the bookshelf…

  1. Tap and hold an audiobook to show the menu, then tap ‘return/delete’.
  2. Tap 'Return then Delete'.
    The audiobook is both returned and deleted from your device.

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