Instructions for Downloading to Kindle
Public library books require an active Wi-Fi connection for wireless delivery to a Kindle device.
Library books will not be delivered via your Kindle's 3G connection. To turn Wi-Fi on, open the
device’s “Menu” and select “Turn Wireless On.” To connect to a Wi-Fi network, open the
“Menu,” select “Settings,” then “Wi-Fi Settings.” Your Kindle device will automatically detect
nearby Wi-Fi networks. Connect to your preferred network. After you have successfully
connected to a Wi-Fi network once, your Kindle will automatically connect to it again when it
detects a signal from that network.
If you want to download a library book for your Kindle device and you do not have an active
Wi-Fi connection, you have two options. You may check out the eBook and send it to your
device, then wait until the next time your Kindle device has an active Wi-Fi connection. At that
time, the library eBook will be automatically downloaded to the device. Or, you may choose to
download your eBook to your computer and load it to the Kindle via USB. Both Mac and
Windows users can manage Kindle content through a USB connection.
Penguin Group (a publishing company) does not allow the transfer of its library Kindle eBooks
via Wi-Fi. If you check out a Penguin eBook, you will see a notice that the eBook is for “use on:
Kindles and free Kindle apps via USB only.” This means that if you check out a Penguin eBook
for Kindle, you will need to download it to your computer and load it to your Kindle via USB.
Instructions for downloading library eBooks via both Wi-Fi and USB can be found in this
document.
Checking Out a Library eBook for Kindle
1. From your computer, not your Kindle, browse to www.stmalib.org and click on “eBooks &
Digital Audiobooks” in the “Quick Links” box. Then click on “Overdrive eBooks &
Audiobooks.”
2. Login first to see additional titles available only to customers of Calvert, Charles, and St.
Mary’s County Libraries.
3. Browse eBooks by using the links on the left hand side of the page or;
4. Using the “Advanced Search” option (click “Advanced Search” in menu bar at the top of the
page), you can limit your results to only Kindle eBooks. The option to “Only show titles with
copies available” can be selected so that only items that are able to be checked out immediately
are displayed. Leave this box unchecked if you wish to see all results, regardless of current
availability.
5. At the top of your results, you can re-sort by title, creator, release date, most
popular, or date added to site.
6. Once you find a title you wish to download, click “Add to cart” on the right side of the entry.
You have 30 minutes to complete your checkout before the eBook is returned to the library’s
collection.
NOTE: If “Add to cart” is not an option, this means all of the electronic copies of the
book are in use. Click “Place a hold” on the right side of the entry. If you are not already
logged in, the system will prompt you for your library card number.
7. Click “Proceed to Checkout.” If you are not already logged in, the system will prompt you
for your library card number.
8. You can adjust the lending period to 7 or 14 days. You may check out up to 4 items at one
time—this includes eBooks, audiobooks or any combination of the two. After choosing your
lending period, click “Confirm Checkout,” and then click “Get for Kindle” on the next page.
Downloading the Library’s eBooks to Kindle via Wi-Fi
If your Kindle has an active Wi-Fi connection, continue with these instructions. If you do not
have a Wi-Fi connection, or if you checked out a Penguin eBook, please skip to step 14, below.
9. You will be directed to Amazon.com to redeem your loan. You may be required to login to
your Amazon.com account -- or create a new account -- if you're not already logged in.
10. On the right hand side of the screen, look for the “Deliver to” drop down menu. Change the
“Deliver to” option to send the eBook to the device of your choice, whether to a Kindle eReader,
the Kindle app on a device such as an iPod or iPad, or the Kindle Cloud Reader. Once you’ve
chosen your device, click “Get Library Book.”
12. The eBook will be delivered to your Kindle or Kindle app. If using the Kindle app, you’ll
find the eBook in the Archived Items. Kindle eBooks may be returned early by visiting the
“Manage Your Kindle” section of Amazon’s website from your computer. Use the “Actions”
button to return the item early and delete it from your Kindle library.
13. If you choose to check out this book again or purchase it from the Kindle Store at a later date,
all of your notes and highlights will be preserved.
Transferring the Library’s eBooks to Kindle from Your Computer via USB
If your Kindle does not have an active Wi-Fi connection or you checked out a Penguin eBook,
you can load your book from your computer to your Kindle via USB by following these
instructions.
14. After checking out your eBook and clicking “Get for Kindle,” you will be directed to
Amazon.com to redeem your loan. You may be required to login to your Amazon.com account -or create a new account -- if you're not already logged in.
15. On the right hand side of the screen, look for the “Deliver to” drop down menu. From that
menu, choose “Transfer via Computer.” Click “Get Library Book.” Select the device to which
you plan to transfer your eBook (ie. {Your Name}’s Kindle).
16. You will be prompted to open or save the file; choose “Save” and select a location that is
easy to find again, such as the desktop. If your computer is set to automatically save downloads
to a certain location (like My Documents), you will not be prompted to choose a location. The
eBook will be saved to that location. Once the file has been saved to your computer, connect
your Kindle to your computer using the USB cable.
17. Your Kindle will appear on your computer in the same location as external USB drives
usually appear. For Windows users, this is typically in the "Computer" or "My Computer" menu,
which can be opened from the Start menu. For Mac users, the drive will appear on the desktop.
Open the Kindle drive. You will see several folders inside, one of which will be named
"documents." This is the folder you will move your downloaded eBook into.
18. Locate the downloaded eBook file on your computer, and drag and drop it into the
“download” file on the Kindle.
19. Safely eject your Kindle from your computer. To safely eject if you have a Windows
computer, open the Start menu in the bottom left hand corner of your desktop, then choose “My
Computer.” Locate “Kindle” under “Devices with Removable Storage.” Right click on “Kindle”
and click “Eject.” If you have a Mac, look at your desktop and you’ll see an icon for the Kindle–
click on the icon and either hit the “eject” button on your keyboard, or press CMD+E. Once
you’ve safely ejected, unplug the USB cable. The file you transferred will now appear on your
Kindle Home screen.
20. Kindle eBooks may be returned early by visiting the “Manage Your Kindle” section of
Amazon’s website from your computer. Use the “Actions” button to return the item early and
delete it from your Kindle library.
21. If you choose to check out this book again or purchase it from the Kindle Store at a later date,
all of your notes and highlights will be preserved.