Downloadable Audiobooks For Library Patrons*

And now, MP3 audiobooks for your iPod and other listening devices have arrived

NEW! Overdrive Media Console, the software required for audiobook download, is available for your Mac! 

Only from Georgia Download Destination

This new Audiobook format is compatible with many devices including most cell phones, PDA's and MP3 players such as iPods, iPhones and the iTouch. Click here for a full list of known supported devices. Downloaded Audiobooks to your PC or Mac, burn them to a CD (when allowed by the publisher), or transferred to a supported portable device.

You can now download audiobooks from the any of the libraries in the East Central Georgia Regional Library system.  Two audiobook services are available: Georgia Download Destination (Overdrive audiobooks), and  Netlibrary.  Here are some commonly asked questions and answers:

• What are eAudiobooks? eAudiobooks are digital versions of audiobooks that are available for checkout and download from the vendor, via the Internet.

• How do I listen to eAudiobooks?   eAudiobooks can be played on any desktop or portable computer that supports Windows Media Player version 9.0 and above. Once downloaded, eAudiobooks can be transferred to a wide range of portable devices that support playback of secure or protected WMA files.  See the lists of supported devices to see if your mp3 player will work:

      For Georgia Download Destination: http://www.overdrive.com/resources/drc/

      For NetLibrary:  http://library.netlibrary.com/SupportedeAudiobookDevices.aspx

  See also the CNet article, "Best MP3 players for audiobooks", to help choose an MP3 player for your audiobook listening.

   

• Can I play my eAudiobook on an iPod?  YES! Only available from Georgia Download Destination.  (As far as we know, NetLibrary has no plans to offer this service anytime soon.)

• How do I get these eAudiobooks?  You must have a PINES library card and be a consortium member.  See below for more information.*

      For Georgia Download Destination eAudiobooks, go to http://gadd.lib.overdrive.com to start downloading**!  Follow the instructions on the web site. You'll need to know which library system you belong to, your library card number, and your PIN or password for your library card. If you don't know the PIN/password, ask in person at one of the libraries; be sure to have your library card and a picture ID with you.  See more information about Georgia Download Destination here.

      For NetLibrary, it's a little different.  You must come into a Columbia County Library (Evans, Harlem or Euchee Creek branches) in person to get your NetLibrary log in ID and password. Once you have your NetLibrary log in ID and Password, you can download eAudiobooks from the comfort of your own home*.  The link to NetLibrary is http://www.netlibrary.com. You can find out more information about NetLibrary here.

*Patrons must be registered at an ECGRL Library, or for GA Download Destination service, must be registered at a consortium library. For a list of Georgia Download Destination libraries, see this page.

**It is not recommended, and in many cases you are not allowed, to download your eAudiobook selection at a public library or some public computer locations, due to restrictions on public access computers that may prevent you from opening your download or from saving it to your mp3 player.