Getting started with OverDrive audiobooks (PC Version)
I.
II.
III.
IV.
Download OverDrive Media Console software
Find the audiobook you want
Checkout & Download (or place a hold)
Transfer to iPod
Transfer to other portable media player
Extra Features:
• Limit by Available Now in OverDrive
• Check out a hold
• Return Early
• Re-download checked out items
• Frequent Asked Questions
I.
Download Overdrive application
To download, visit: http://app.overdrive.com/, and scroll down to the bottom
of the page.
Click on Download for Windows Desktop
Windows 8 users – You can use both the Windows
Desktop version of the OverDrive app and the
OverDrive app for Windows 8. If you need to transfer
audiobooks to a device, however, please use the
destop version.
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II.
Find the audiobook you want.
You can search for & checkout e-books using either the regular Library catalog or
the OverDrive catalog. Here, we’ll concentrate on the Library catalog. Please see
the extra features section to use the library’s OverDrive-specific catalog.
1. Go to: http://seattle.bibliocommons.com
2. Search, then limit to Downloadable Audiobook.
Search
NOTE: For items
available to download
immediately, use eBooks
Now!
Limit to
Downloadable
Audiobook
3. Click Request this download for any title you want.
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III.
Checkout & Download (or place a hold)
1. Select MP3 and then Checkout.
Or, if title is not available, enter your email address, and click Place Hold
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2. Click Download in MP3 format
3. Overdrive Media Console will open. Click OK to set the folder for
downloading media.
Note: Don’t change the
default download location,
just click OK.
4. Download part(s) of the audiobook. Click OK.
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5. Wait for media to download. This may take several minutes.
Why did I get a small file instead of the audiobook?
A file with the .ODM extension was downloaded to your computer. The .ODM
file is not the actual audio book, but opening the .ODM file triggers download of
the actual eBook.
Open the .ODM file to trigger download of the actual audiobook:
1. Locate the .ODM file (likely in your Downloads folder)
2. Right-click on the file and select “Open with  Overdrive Media Console
IV. Transfer to iPod
1. Configure iTunes to Manually manage music and videos.
a. Open iTunes
b. Plug your apple device into your computer via the USB cord. Your device
will appear in iTunes
c. Click on your device
d. Within Summary > Options, check the Manually manage music and
videos box, then click Apply
c.
d.
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2. Navigate to the OverDrive Media Console. Click on a title. Then click Transfer.
3. The Overdrive Media Console Transfer Wizard will open. Click Next.
4. Select parts to transfer. Then click Next.
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5. Wait for tranfer to finish. Then click Finish when done.
After transfer, you will find the audiobooks stored in your Apple device in the
Music  Albums menu
Transfer to other portable media player
1. Click on a title. Then click Transfer.
2. The Overdrive Media Console Transfer Wizard will open. Click Next.
3. Select your player, parts to transfer. Then click Next.
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Limit by Available Now in the OverDrive Catalog
In the OverDrive catalog, you can limit searches to Only show available copies using the Advanced
Search page. Follow these steps to search:
1. Go to http://spl.lib.overdrive.com and click Advanced Search.
2. Select the format that you want. And select Show only titles with copies
available. Add other search limits as desired and click Search.
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Check out a hold
1. When a hold is ready for you to check out, you will see an email like this one.
Click on the link to the library’s main catalog to download your hold.
2. Log In if you have not already logged in.
3. Click on the Digital tab to limit your holds to only downloadable items.
4. Click on Available for checkout to begin Checkout & Download.
3.
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Return Early
1. Open OverDrive Media Console.
2. Click on the title and press Delete key.
3. Click Return/Delete
Re-Downloading checked out items
1. Go to http://seattle.bibliocommons.com/checkedout
2. Click Download Now
Check on status of holds
1. Go to http://seattle.bibliocommons.com/holds/index/active
2. Look for hold position.
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Frequent Asked Questions
Can I return downloadable audiobooks early?
Yes, audiobooks can be returned early from OverDrive Media Console. At the end of your
checkout period, all downloaded audio books return automatically.
Can I download audiobooks directly to a smartphone or tablet?
Yes, audiobooks can be downloaded directly to a device using the Overdrive Media Console App,
which is available for several types of smartphones and tablets.
After placing a book on hold or checking it out, I cannot find it again in my account. Where did it go?
Sometimes there is a delay between items appearing in the OverDrive-specific site and the
library’s regular catalog. Try logging into your Overdrive account, and then click My Hold
Requests or My Items Out.
I downloaded an .ODM file. Is this the audiobook? How do I get the .ODM file to play?
The .ODM file is not the actual audio book. However, it is the file that should trigger download
of the audiobook file. If you have already installed OverDrive Media Console on your computer,
right-click on the .ODM file and select "Open with  Overdrive Media Console." This should
trigger Overdrive to open and your book to download
What is the difference between the classic version of the OverDrive Media Console and OverDrive
Media Console for Windows 8?
See this article for complete details: http://help.overdrive.com/article/0908/How-OverDriveMedia-Console-works-in-Windows-8
All other errors please contact us at www.spl.org/ask with the following:
1. Title of item(s)
2. Your Library card number
3. What happened and any error messages
4. Computer operating system and version - for example: Mac OS X, Windows 7, etc.
5. What you are using – for example iPhone, Android, Creative Zen
6. Have you downloaded books or media from the Library before?
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