Downloading Audiobooks and Music for Audio Devices (iPod, mp3 player, etc.)

Follow these detailed instructions to enjoy Audiobooks on various audio devices (including a PC computer or Mac). 

There are two types of audio files available for download: audiobooks in mp3 format and music. This guide is for downloading to a PC or Mac and then transferring to devices that do NOT use the Overdrive Media Console App (e.g. Kindle Fire, iPad, iPod, Android, etc.). For those devices, see our detailed instructions page.

Visit the Ohio Digital Library to find audiobooks to borrow. If you have any questions, either call the library at (419) 826-2760 or contact us.

* Initial Setup
* Finding and Downloading Audio
* Transferring to Audio Devices
* Returning/Deleting Items

You can also visit Overdrive's device help page for more information.

NOTE: Audiobooks on the Ohio Digital Library have differing digital rights, depending on the format and the publisher. The digital rights are listed at the bottom of the screen under each item, and will tell you, for example, whether transferring to an Apple device (e.g. iPod) is permitted. Always check to make sure your device is compatible with the format before borrowing a title. If you can’t see the digital rights listed, click on the plus sign.

 

Initial Setup

  1. You will need to have Overdrive Media Console (OMC) installed on your computer in order to download audio files. First, you have to make sure you have other software required for OMC to work.

    On a PC, you will need:
    * Windows Media Player series 9 (or newer).
    * If you want to transfer to an Apple device, iTunes version 9.1 (or newer).
    * If you want to transfer to a Zune device, the Zune application version 3.0 (or newer).

    On a Mac, you will need:
    * iTunes v7.6.2.9 (or newer). Transfer to an iPad requires iTunes v9.1 (or newer).

    If you need help checking these or downloading the software, go to http://help.overdrive.com/.

  2. After you’ve made sure your computer has all the software needed, it’s time to download OMC. On your computer, go to http://omc.overdrive.com/  Select the version you need and save the file to your desktop (or wherever you prefer). When it’s finished downloading, double-click on the OMC install icon and select ‘Run’. Follow the instructions to install OMC.
    * A shortcut icon should appear on your desktop when installation is complete. You can double-click on this whenever you need to open OMC.

  3. Next, on the Ohio Digital Library page, sign in by selecting your library name and entering your library card number. Click on ‘Account’ and then ‘Settings’ to set your default lending periods. You can choose up to twenty-one days.

  4. You’re now ready to find audiobooks or music to download. You will not have to do these steps again as long as you use the same computer to download media.

 

 

Finding and Downloading Audio

  1. Go to http://www.swantonpubliclibrary.org/ and click on the Ohio Digital Library link. You can also skip this step by going directly to http://ohioebooks.com/

  2. To log in, click on ‘Sign in’ at the top of the page. You’ll be asked to either select or type in your library’s name. Once ‘Swanton LSD Public Library’ appears, click on it and then click on 'Go'. Enter your library card number and click on the ‘Sign in’ button underneath. 

  3. You can search for titles in the following ways: Entering title/author/keywords in the search bar next to the magnifying glass, or browsing by genre. The blue bar at the top includes links to genres that are specifically in audiobook format.
    * Search results show covers of book titles. In the upper right corner of the cover, you’ll see an icon. An open book means the title is an eBook; a pair of headphones means it’s an audiobook. If the icon is light gray, the title is checked out. If it’s black, then it’s available. 

  4. When you have found a title, click on the title under the cover and check the digital rights at the bottom of the next page. If the title is compatible with your device, click on the large blue ‘Borrow’ button.
    * If you don't want to check the digital rights (most audiobooks can be transferred to any device, for example), you can also hover your mouse pointer over the cover. The 'Borrow' button will appear without having to go to the next page. 
    * If the title has no copies available, you may request it by selecting ‘Place a Hold’ instead and then confirming it on the next screen. When an item on hold is ready to be checked out, sign in and click on ‘Account’ and then ‘Holds’ at the top of the screen.

  5. On the next screen, click on ‘Download’ next to the title. 

  6. You will be asked where you want to save the file. You can save it to the desktop or allow the computer to create a folder for you. Once you have the file saved, find the file and double-click on it. OMC may also open it for you after the download is finished.
    * You may get a message telling you ‘the specified default download folder for new media does not exist. Do you want to create it?’ Click on 'Yes' to make the folder. If you don’t want to, click 'No' and go back and select a different folder using ‘browse’. 

  7. Once the file is open in OMC, a new window will open with the title selected. Click 'OK'. Another window will open with all parts of the download listed. You can download all of them at once, or just get a couple parts at a time if you don’t want to wait a long time.
    * If you decide to get only a few parts at a time, you can open OMC to download more parts later. Click on the title and then on the ‘Download’ icon at the top of the OMC window. A window will pop up showing which parts have been downloaded, with the parts not downloaded checked for you.

  8. The download will begin. Depending on how many parts there are, it may take a long time. A progress bar for each part will appear at the bottom of the OMC screen. Once the download is finished, you can listen using your computer by selecting the title after opening OMC. You can also transfer it to another device.

 

 

Transferring to Audio Devices

  1. If you want to transfer to a device, select the title you want to transfer after it’s finished downloading and click on the ‘Transfer’ icon in upper left corner of the OMC window. Connect your device to the computer and then click 'Next' on the window that pops up.
    * If it’s allowed under digital rights and if your computer can burn CDs, you can also put a blank CD into your CD drive and click on ‘Burn’. This will make a CD copy. You may need several CDs.

  2. You are given a choice on how many parts to transfer. If you want to transfer the whole book, leave it as is and click on ‘Next’.
    * If you want to transfer just a few parts, uncheck the parts you do NOT want transferred. You can transfer them at a later date by opening OMC and selecting the title and ‘Transfer’ again. However, when you click ‘Transfer’, ALL the parts will be checked, even the ones already transferred. Uncheck all the parts already transferred and then click on ‘Next’.

  3. If you’re using an iPod, iTunes must also be open. You may get a message about the transfer wizard’s recommended AAC Import setting. If so, you can open iTunes and make the adjustments.
    * In iTunes, go to ‘Edit’ on the top left and then select ‘Preferences’ from the dropdown. A new window will open titled ‘General Preferences’. Near the middle on the right, there is a button labeled ‘Import Settings…’ Click on that. Another window will open. The line ‘Import using:’ should say ‘AAC Encoder’ next to it. The next category is ‘Setting’. There is a dropdown you can use to select the setting to match what OMC asked for. It may be called ‘Spoken Podcast’. Then go back OMC and click on ‘Refresh’.
    * However, if your kbps setting is HIGHER than the one recommended, you can skip this and just click ‘Next.’ It will still transfer.

  4. It will take some time to transfer. When it’s done, click on ‘Finish’. You can now disconnect the device.
    * If you’re using an iPod or other Apple device, you will be able to see the transfer progress in iTunes as well. When it’s finished transferring, eject your device from iTunes BEFORE disconnecting.

 

 

Returning/Deleting Items 

  1. Audiobooks downloaded to Overdrive Media Console on computers can be returned early. First, open OMC and click on the title you wish to return.  

  2. In the top row, click on the button marked 'Delete' next to the red X. Click on 'Yes'.