Know OverDrive
Digital Books
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www.deschuteslibrary.org
Objectives:

Identify the three available types of
digital books and compatible devices


Search and browse for titles
Place holds on checked out titles
 Check out available titles.
 Renew digital books
 Read or listen to books in your browser
 Access help
Digital Books
Digital books are books (either in text or audio format) that have been converted into digital
files and can be accessed and read or listened to through a computer or an electronic device
such as an eReader or an MP3 player.
Deschutes Public Library lends digital books through its Digital Downloads website:
1. Type www.deschuteslibrary.org into your web browser's address bar and press <enter>.
2. Click on Books, Movies, Music and a dropdown menu will appear.
3. Click on Digital Downloads.
4. Click Overdrive under either the Read or Listen options. Both options go to the same place.
Compatibility
There are three types of files on the Digital Downloads site:
File type
Audiobooks
Icon
Description
Sound files you listen to on your
computer or an mp3 player. Similar
to a book on CD.
File Exts.
MP3
OverDrive Listen
eBooks
Text files you read on your computer
or an eReader.
Video
Video files including animated shorts
and movies that you can watch on
your computer.
EPUB
PDF
Kindle Book
OverDrive Read
WMV
For eReaders, you will need to find books in ePub or PDF format. Both file types should work
with most devices, although some might not recognize pdf files as books. Instead, they will put
these files in the documents folder on your eReader.
For Kindles, you will need to find books available in the Kindle format. Not all of the library’s
eBooks are available as Kindle Books. ePub and ePDF files will not work on the Kindle.
OverDrive Read and OverDrive Listen books play right in your computer’s or mobile device’s
Internet browser. You can use these books on any device.
Click into a book’s full record to check its format availability.
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Finding Books
Browsing
You can browse by age, subject or format using the links at the top left-hand corner of the site.
Click on Subjects to browse by genre. The default is All Formats, choose a format type to limit
your browsing.
Click on Collections or scroll down the main page to browse curated collections such as Just
Added, Too Hot to Hold or Try Something Different.
Searching
You can search for specific authors, titles or topics by clicking on the Search Icon at the top,
right-hand side of the page. A search box will appear where you can type in your query.
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Click on Advanced under the Search box for more search options such as
filtering by file type and limiting your results to those titles that are currently
available to check out.
Availability
Like a physical book, the library is limited in the number of copies of a digital book that can be
checked out at a time.
Available
If a title is available for
checkout an orange
banner reading
Available will show
above the cover.
Checked Out
If all copies of a title are
checked out a clear banner
reading Wait List will show
above the cover.
More Book Options
Click on the bookmark to:
 add the title to your wish
list
Click on the Ellipses to:
 view or listen to a sample of the
text
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
view more details about the book
including a description and available
Logging In to Your Account

formats
Find similar titles
In order to use the library’s digital book collection you need to log into your account.
1. Click on the Sign In button at the upper right-hand side of the screen
2. You have the choice to log in with your Library Card barcode number and PIN (usually the last
four digits of your phone number) OR your Overdrive account if you have one OR your facebook
account.
Placing Holds
1. If you find a book that is checked out, click once on the Place a Hold link
below the cover.
2. You will be prompted to log into your account if you aren’t already.
3. When the book is ready for you, you will receive an email notification and
you will have 3 days to check it out to your library account. You can also
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choose to have the system automatically check the book out to your account when it
becomes available in your settings.
Checking Out Books
1. If you find a book that is available to check out, click once on the Borrow
link below the cover.
2. You You will be prompted to log into your account if you aren’t already.
3. The book is now checked out to your library card and will appear on your
Loans page.
My Account
Access your account including checked out books (Loans), Holds, Wish Lists and Settings by
clicking on My Account in the upper right-hand corner. Clicking on the Books Icon will take you
directly to your Loans page.
Use the left-hand menu to access the other areas of your account.
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Loan Limits
You can have up to 15 digital books checked out on your card at any one time, and up to 15
holds (requested items).
You can set your own loan periods in Settings:
 7, 14, or 21 days for eAudiobooks
 7, 14, or 21 days for eBooks
 3, 5, or 7 days for Video
Click once on the desired loan period and it will turn
black.
Returning Digital Books
For supported books, you can Return a book before you download it to a device.
1. Go to your Loans page.
2. Click the Return button below the title.
3. If you’ve already downloaded the book to a
device, you will need to return it from the device.
Renewing Digital Books
You can renew books three days before they’re due from the library’s website.
1. Go to DPL’s digital downloads site, log into your
account and go to your Loans.
2. Click the Request Again link under the cover.
3. Enter and confirm your email address.
4. Titles that you've requested again will appear on
your Holds page and will be automatically
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checked out to you as soon as they're available again.
5. You will have to download it again to your device.
Downloading Digital Books
For the next steps on downloading digital books and transferring them to your device refer to
the device specific handout:

Know eReaders: Downloads & Transfers
o For all non-Kindle eReaders including Nook, Sony and Pandigital

Know Kindle Books: Downloads & Transfers
o For Kindle eReaders

Know e-Audiobooks: Downloads & Transfers
o For all MP3 players
Using Digital Books without Downloading
If you want to save space on your computer or device or if your device is not compatible with
the library’s digital books software, you can still enjoy our digital collection using your Internet
Browser.
OverDrive Read and Overdrive Listen allow you to read eBooks or listen to audiobooks within
your web browser (without downloading them to a device).
While you need to have an Internet connection to initially open your digital book, you can add it
to your bookmark or favorites list to maintain access when you disconnect from the Internet.
NOTE: While most browsers support Overdrive Read, Internet Explorer users may need to install
a plugin available here: https://developers.google.com/chrome/chrome-frame/
1. Click Read Now or Listen Now to the right of the book you’d like to launch in your
browser.
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2. A new Internet window will open showing the web version of your eBook or audiobook.
3. Follow your browser’s instructions for bookmarking a website. You will now be able to
access the book from your browser’s bookmarks even if you’re not connected to the
Internet.
Help and Troubleshooting Problems
Click on Help in the upper left-hand side of the page. A new window will open at the Overdrive
Help site.
If you’re still having trouble, call the main DPLS reference line at: 541-617-7080.
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