Features:

• Currently over 1200 titles to choose from with more added each month.
• Titles can be checked out for three weeks and may be renewed for an additional three weeks.
• You can checkout and download an audiobook to your personal computer and then transfer the files to two additional portable listening devices.
• You can check out up to 10 titles per user at a time.
• You never accrue late fees with titles you download from this web site. At the end of 3 weeks, titles will expire and be automatically 'returned' to the library.

Requirements:

• St. Charles Library card number and PIN.
• A separate account with NetLibrary/Recorded Books (directions below). 
• Home Computer with one of the following:
  • Microsoft  Windows Media Player version 9 (or above) OR
  • Musicmatch Jukebox v8.2 and above OR
  • Nullsoft Winamp v5 and above.
• If you wish to listen to the books through your home computer, you will need to have speakers and a sound card.
• Turn off any software that blocks pop-ups.
• If you wish to listen to the books on your personal MP3 player, you need a listening device that is able to support playback of secure or protected wma files.  More information about devices supported by NetLibrary/Recorded Books.

For additional information regarding requirements, visit the NetLibrary/Recorded Books Help page and choose “Hardware and Software Tips.”

For technical assistance, please refer to the Help Section of the NetLibrary/Recorded Books web site or contact the manufacturer of your MP3 player.

Creating Your NetLibrary Account

Before you can checkout NetLibrary/Recorded Books audiobooks you will need to create an account with a unique username and password, which will serve as your virtual library card. You will need to remember this username and password. To create an account, you must access NetLibrary from within the Library.

• From any computer in our Library, click on the NetLibrary/Recorded Books link.
• From the NetLibrary/Recorded Books Home page, click on the "Create Free Account" link in the “Log In” box on the right and follow the instructions.

Once your account is set-up, eAudiobooks may be downloaded to your own personal computer or portable device at home. It is not necessary to continue going through the Library web site to download titles but it is recommended.  Please also note that your NetLibrary account is separate from your Library card account and Library staff cannot renew items, change passwords, etc.

Choosing Titles to Download

On the NetLibrary/Recorded Books home page you can use the simple search screen to search by title, author, narrator or keyword. On the right side of the screen you can browse by genres or view new titles. You can also choose “Advanced Search” for more options. 

Downloading

1. Search for the audiobook title you want to download.
2. Click on "Download this Audiobook."
3. Select the quality of the audiobook you want to download. You are prompted to login.
   • CD quality offers high-fidelity playback for patrons with high-speed Internet access. Note: Most portable listening devices do not support the playback of files lower than 32 kbps, so you must download the CD quality file if you are going to listen to the audiobook on a portable listening device.
   • Radio quality provides faster download speeds and is ideal for patrons with dial-up connections. NOTE: Depending on how you play other media files, the window's media bar might open and begin playing the audiobook file. NetLibrary/Recorded Books highly recommends that you do not play the file while it is downloading. The download will take longer and may not download correctly.   Also, radio quality audiobooks cannot be transferred to an MP3 player or other device.
4. Specify how you want to download the file:
   • Save the audiobook file on your personal computer in a folder of your choice. NetLibrary highly recommends this option.   Once the download is complete, you can open the audiobook directly from your media player, or by using Windows Explorer.
     OR
   • Open the Audiobook file on your personal computer in a Temporary folder. It can be difficult to find audiobook files using this method.
5. Locate and open the audiobook file the same way you would any other file. Note: You MUST open the audiobook file before disconnecting your Internet connection.
6. You can now transfer the audiobook file (and license) to two other portable listening devices.

The title is automatically returned after 3 weeks.  Please note that if you finish the book before the check-out period ends, the program does not allow for “early” check.

Features:

• Currently over 100 popular titles with more on the way. 
• Titles can be checked out for two weeks and may be renewed for an additional two weeks.
• Allows you to place items on Hold.
• You will never accrue late fees with titles you download from this web site. At the end of the loan period, titles will expire and be automatically 'returned' to the library.
• You can check out up to 10 titles per user at a time.

Requirements:

• St. Charles Library card number & PIN
• Free Overdrive software downloaded and activated on your home computer or MP3 player or other portable device.
• Windows Media Player® 9 Series or above (version 10 is recommended)
• If you wish to listen to the books through your home computer, you will need to have speakers.
• Turn off any software that blocks pop-ups.

For more information about devices supported by eMedia Library from OverDrive please check OverDrive Device Resource Center.

Please note:  iPODs do not currently accept wma files and cannot be used with eMedia Library from OverDrive.

Download and register the free Overdrive software

Download and register the free Overdrive software, following the steps on the eMedia Library from OverDrive “Quick Start Guide”.

Choosing Titles to Download

You can browse or search the site for downloadable materials. When you locate a title of interest, first click on   to place it in your basket.  Placing a book in your digital basket is like placing it on temporary reserve; as long as the title is in your digital basket, it will remain available for you to check out. Please note that the system will automatically remove a title from your digital basket 30 minutes after you have placed it there, making the title available to others.

Once you have finished choosing titles, use the “Proceed to Checkout” link to continue.

If a desired book is not available, you may place a hold on it.  The book you have placed on hold will be reserved for you to check out once it becomes available. When the title is available for you, you will receive an email with instructions on checking the book out. The item will be held for you for 2 days.   For more information, visit the “Borrowing Help” page.

Downloading

Once you have checked out a title, a download page will be displayed. Click the download link to start the download. Once the download is complete, you can close your Internet connection and enjoy the materials offline.

Help page - Details regarding system requirements, using the Overdrive software and troubleshooting are available.

The title is automatically returned after two weeks.  Please note that if you finish the book before the check-out period ends, the program does not allow for “early” check-in.