Basic tips and instructions on how to download ebooks from Overdrive to various e-reader devices such as Kindle, Nook, iPad and other.

1. So You Got An E-Reader Over
the Holidays… Now What?
Presented by: Kathy Petlewski
Plymouth District Library
2012

2. Let’s Define Some Terms
• An e-book (short for electronic book, or EBook),
also known as a digital book, is an e-text that
forms the digital media equivalent of a
conventional printed book, sometimes restricted
with a digital rights management system. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebook
• An e-book reader, also called an e-book device or
e-reader, is an electronic device that is designed
primarily for the purpose of reading digital books
and periodicals and uses e-ink technology to
display content to readers. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EReader

3. Different Kinds of E-Books
• E-books that are viewed online only. These are
not available if you are not connected to the
Internet.
• E-books that may be viewed either online or
downloaded to your computer & e-reader.
(Project Gutenberg & some free Google books)
• E-books that are designed to be downloaded and
read off-line on your e-readers. (Overdrive and
those purchased from Amazon or Barnes and
Noble)

4. Downloading E-Books from PDL
• PDL is part of a 24-member consortium for e-books
and audio e-books.
• These books are provided by OverDrive in several
formats: EPUB, Kindle & PDF for e-readers and WMA &
MP3 for iPods and MP3 players.
• E-books are single user licenses, so you must place a
hold on books that are “checked out” electronically.
• Books are checked out for either 7 or 14 days

5. Advantage Titles in OverDrive
• PDL purchases
additional copies of
popular books that are
available ONLY to our
residents.
• You MUST log in first to
see if a book is an
Advantage title.
• Waiting list is much
shorter than you see!

6. There are 4 Different Paths
Depending on the brand of your
device.

7. Path A: E-Readers with EPUB Format
All Nooks, Sony, Kobos, Pandigitals &
Literatis
• Download Adobe Digital Editions to your
computer.
• Authorize Digital Editions to computer.
• Plug in e-reader with USB cord and authorize it to
same account.
• Login to MCLS OverDrive web site with library
card #.
• Select book in EPUB format & check it out.
• Click on Download button and select RUN.
• This opens Adobe Digital Editions program and
book title should load on screen.
• Drag the book cover with your mouse to the left
side of screen and drop on your device name.

8. Downloading E-Books from the Library
for Paths A,C & D

9. Go Immediately to OverDrive if You
Don’t Need Help.

10. Be Sure to Log In First!

11. While you may browse the main screen, it’s
faster to use the “Advanced Search” link.

12. Use the pull-down menu to choose your choice
of formats & be sure to click the “available” box.
Remember –
Select EPUB for
Nooks, Kobos,
Sonys etc, but
select Kindle
format for your
Kindle devices !

13. You then get a list of those EPUB books
that are available for checkout.
Click “add to bookbag.”

14. Remember, you only have 30 minutes
to keep them in the bookbag !

15. Before you check out materials, you
must first login to your account.

16. Select Your Loan Period and then Click to
Confirm Checkout.

17. This Section is for EPUB Format!
• If you have a Nook of any variety, a Sony
eReader, a Kobo using EPUB, a Literati, a
Pandigital or any other e-reader compatible
with OverDrive…
• It’s all about the Digital Rights Management !!
• If you purchase a book from Barnes & Noble
or another online bookstore, you don’t need
to worry – this is only for borrowing for PDL.

18. First-Time Users Must Download the Adobe
Digital Editions Software Prior to Getting
Your Book.

19. Then, click on the file to download and
choose “Open.”

20. This is the Adobe Digital Editions Console
showing the e-reader. Drop & Drag your
title to the e-reader icon.

21. If you click on your e-reader icon, you’ll see
a list of items you put on it.

22. Path B: Smart Phones, iPads, iPods
• iPads, iPhones, Droids, Ipod Touch,
Blackberry Phones & Windows 7
phones
• Make sure you have wifi or 3G
enabled.
• Go to the Apps store on your device.
• Download the free OverDrive Media
Console.

23. Path B continued ….
• Open the app. and “add a website”
by entering your zip code. This takes
you to the MCLS OverDrive web site.
• Login and select a book in EPUB
format (unless you have the Kindle
app installed.)
• Check it out and click on download
button.
• Your book is now on your device.
When you have finished reading the
book, click on “edit” in your
OverDrive app and delete the title.

24. Path C: Kindles & Kindle Apps, except
Kindle Fire
• On your computer, go to MCLS OverDrive site.
• Login and search for a book.
• Select your book in Kindle format and check it out.
• Click on Get Kindle Book button.
• This takes you to the Amazon site. Login with your
Amazon account.
• The book should appear on your screen. Click on Get
Library Book.
• If you have wifi available, the book downloads
immediately to your Kindle. If not, the next time you
sync it, it will show up on your device.

25. For Kindles, Kindle Fires & Kindle Apps
• Amazon takes care of Digital
Rights Management for
Kindles.
• The Kindle apps from Apple
and Android handle the Digital
Rights for your smart phones,
iPads, iPods, Blackberry etc.

26. Be Sure to Select Kindle Format!

27. This is Where the Procedures Differ

28. Now You’re On the Amazon Site

29. Select Your Kindle Device or App.

30. This is Your Checkout Verification.

31. Path D: The Kindle Fire
• Direct your Kindle Fire browser to
http://plymouthlibrary.org.
• Download E-books & E-Audiobooks.
• From the MCLS page, Login and search for a
book.
• Select your book in Kindle format and check it
out.
• Click on Get Kindle Book button.
• This takes you to the Amazon site. Login with
your Amazon account.
• The book should appear on your screen. Click
on Get Library Book.
• Your ebook has been delivered to your Kindle
Fire. Select the “Sync” option to bring it up on
your screen. Find Sync by clicking on the
settings icon.

32. Troubleshooting Problems
• 1. Your Library Card may have expired or you
have a large number of fines.
• 2. You don’t pick up your digital holds within
three days of being notified.
• 3. If your book doesn’t completely download
– you get three tries!
• 4. Contact Support with questions. These are
routed to PDL support.

33. E-Books in Our Library Catalog
• Will be identified as either ebooks or eaudio !

34. Over 500 Titles from Project Gutenberg are
in our Library Catalog.

35. These Books May be Downloaded to
E-readers or Read Online.

36. Sources of E-Books Online
• Google eBookstore – http://books.google.com
– Over 3 million books including bestsellers and free
books, many of a historic nature.
• ManyBooks.Net – http://manybooks.net
– Includes Project Gutenberg free books
• Mobile Reads - http://www.mobileread.com/
• Smashwords.com - http://www.smashwords.com/
- Free or minimal cost books from independent writers