Pages and Information

September 04, 2010

All about the new downloadable audio books and eBooks

After much preparation, Neill Public Library is able to offer the many voracious readers of our community new ways to get their fill:  downloadable audio books and eBooks!  This service is made possible by our library joining a Washington State Library supported consortium called the Washington Anytime Library.  The service can be accessed from the library’s home page or from http://nwwanytime.lib.overdrive.com/

Patrons now can check out and download the following types of digital materials:  Adobe EPUB eBooks, WMA audio books, and MP3 audio books.  A list of supported audio book and eBook devices can be found on the Washington Anytime Library site.  Any patrons needing assistance can contact the library’s Information Desk.

To access these digital materials at home, you need:

•    A valid library card
•    Internet access
•    A computer or device that meets the system requirements for the types of digital materials you want to check out
•    Free software for the computer or device on which you wish to use the materials available at this site.  The software is available for Windows, Mac, iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android systems.  Detailed steps for software installation and activations as well as instructions on required security upgrades are available on the Washington Anytime Library site. 

You can browse or search the Washington Anytime Library site for downloadable materials.  When you locate a title of interest, add it to the Cart and check out the title.  Once you have checked out a title, a download page is displayed.  Click the 'Download' link to start the download.  Once the download is complete, open and enjoy the title.  At the end of the loan period, titles will expire and be automatically 'returned' to the library.  At this time, you can delete the expired file from your computer.

Using the Washington Anytime Library, you can:

•    Search for digital materials using a variety of criteria on the advanced search page.
•    Take digital materials with you on-the-go. Many audio titles can be burned to CD, and most audio titles can be transferred to supported portable devices.
•    Place an item on hold if a desired title is not available.

Fast facts for checking out from the Washington Anytime Library:

•    You can have up to 5 titles checked out at any given time.
•    You have the option of selecting a 7-day lending period or a 14-day lending period on a title-by-title basis. 
•    Due to publisher licensing agreements, your titles cannot be returned early. They will automatically be returned at the end of the lending period.
•    The items you have checked out cannot be renewed, but you can check them out again if they are available when the checkout expires.
•    You will never accumulate late fees with titles you download from this website.
•    You can place up to 5 titles on hold at a given time.

We hope our patrons enjoy having access to more titles in more ways.  Happy reading and listening!

by Cheryl Brinkley
Adult Services Librarian
published 9-4-10 in Moscow Pullman Daily News

No comments: