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Getting started with Library to Go

Getting started with audiobooks | Getting started with e-books | Search tips | FAQs | Additional resources

Library to Go allows you to download and listen to bestselling and classic audiobooks on your home computer, laptop, iPod, PDA and WMA/MP3 player. It also includes a large selection of e-books in EPUB and PDF formats, that can be read on your home computer, laptop, tablet, e-reader, or other mobile device.

Getting started with audiobooks

All Library to Go audiobooks users need to download the OverDrive Media Console. Different versions are available for Windows and Mac computers, and for Android, Blackberry and Apple devices. Android, iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch users can download the OverDrive Media Console app directly to their device from the Android Market or iTunes App Store. Windows users will need to have Windows Media Player 9 or newer.

Getting started with e-books

The following instructions are intended to help you get started with Library to Go e-books. Additional resources follow, including information on choosing an e-book reader, an instructional video for downloading e-books to the Sony Reader WiFi, and instructional PDFs for getting e-books and audiobooks on other e-readers and mobile devices.

Instructions vary by device. Please select from the options below:

Kobo Reader, Kobo Touch, Sony Reader, Nook

Step 1:
Download software		Step 2:
Authorize software		Step 3:
Locate & download books		Step 4:
Start reading
Download Adobe Digital Editions to your home computer or laptop.When you open Adobe Digital Editions, you will be prompted to authorize the software using your Adobe ID. Select "get an Adobe ID online," follow the instructions, then authorize Adobe Digital Editions.Visit Library to Go from your home computer to search or browse for e-books. When you find something you'd like to read, click "add to cart," then (on the next screen) "proceed to checkout." Click to download and open the title. In a few moments, it should open in Adobe Digital Editions.Plug in your Kobo. Click on the "Library view" icon in Adobe Digital Editions (located at top left). You should see cover art for each title you have out, and the name of your Kobo should appear in the left-hand menu. Click on the cover art for the title you want to transfer, then drag and drop it onto your reader. When you unplug the Kobo, the title should appear in your library.

Sony Reader WiFi

Step 1:
Download software		Step 2:
Authorize software		Step 3:
Locate & download books		Step 4:
Start reading
No additional software is required if you are downloading directly to this reader. If you don't have WiFi available, you will need to download Sony's Reader software to your home computer or laptop. Open books with the Reader software, plug in your Sony Reader Wi-Fi, and click on the "Sync" button to transfer titles.
You should be prompted to authorize your Sony Reader using an Adobe ID. Select "get an Adobe ID online," follow the instructions, then authorize your reader.
From page two of your home screen, select "Public Library." Search for Burnaby Public Library, then browse or search for titles. When you find something you'd like to read, click "add to cart," then (on the next screen) "proceed to checkout." Click to download the title.Return to your home screen. The title you've downloaded should appear in your library.

Kobo Vox, other Android tablets or Android phones

Step 1:
Download software		Step 2:
Authorize software		Step 3:
Locate & download books		Step 4:
Start reading
Download the OverDrive Media Console app from the Android Market. If you don't find the app in the Android Market, you can download it at http://overdrive.com/software/omc/. Click on the text: "If your device doesn't support Android Market, you can download OverDrive Media Console for Android from OverDrive."You should be prompted to authorize Adobe Digital Editions (which is included with the app) using an Adobe ID. Select "get an Adobe ID online," follow the instructions, then authorize the device.Open the OverDrive Media Console app, press the device's menu button, then click "Get books." From the next screen, click "Add library," then search and select Burnaby Public Library. Use the "Search" or "Browse" options to find books. When you find something you'd like to read, click "add to cart," then (on the next screen) "proceed to checkout." Click to download and open the title. In a few moments, it should open inside the app.

The book you've downloaded should open automatically within the OverDrive Media Console app. Return to the app to continue reading, or to download additional books from the library.

Full instructions are also available on the Kobo website.

Blackberry PlayBook or smartphones

Step 1:
Download software		Step 2:
Authorize software		Step 3:
Locate & download books		Step 4:
Start reading
Blackberry PlayBook users need to download the OverDrive Media Console app for the Blackberry PlayBook from Blackberry App World. Blackberry smartphone users can download the regular OverDrive Media Console app.
You should be prompted to authorize Adobe Digital Editions (which is included with the app) using an Adobe ID. Select "get an Adobe ID online," follow the instructions, then authorize the device.Open the OverDrive Media Console app, then click "Get books." From the next screen, click "Add library," then search and select Burnaby Public Library. Use the "Search" or "Browse" options to find books. When you find something you'd like to read, click "add to cart," then (on the next screen) "proceed to checkout." Click to download and open the title. In a few moments, it should open inside the app.The book you've downloaded should open automatically within the OverDrive Media Console app. Return to the app to continue reading, or to download additional books from the library.

iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch

Step 1:
Download software		Step 2:
Authorize software		Step 3:
Locate & download books		Step 4:
Start reading
Download the OverDrive Media Console app from the iTunes app store.You should be prompted to authorize Adobe Digital Editions (which is included with the app) using an Adobe ID. Select "get an Adobe ID online," follow the instructions, then authorize the device.Open the OverDrive Media Console app, then click "Get books." From the next screen, click "Add library," then search and select Burnaby Public Library. Use the "Search" or "Browse" options to find books. When you find something you'd like to read, click "add to cart," then (on the next screen) "proceed to checkout." Click to download and open the title. In a few moments, it should open inside the app.The book you've downloaded should open automatically within the OverDrive Media Console app. Return to the app to continue reading, or to download additional books from the library.

Personal computer or laptop

Don't have an e-reader or other mobile device? You can still borrow e-books from the library and read them on your home computer or laptop.

Step 1:
Download software		Step 2:
Authorize software		Step 3:
Locate & download books		Step 4:
Start reading
Download Adobe Digital Editions to your home computer or laptop.When you open Adobe Digital Editions, you will be prompted to authorize the software using your Adobe ID. Select "get an Adobe ID online," follow the instructions, then authorize Adobe Digital Editions using your new Adobe ID.Visit Library to Go to search or browse for e-books. When you find something you'd like to read, click "add to cart," then (on the next screen) "proceed to checkout." Click to download and open the title. In a few moments, it should open in Adobe Digital Editions.The book you've downloaded should open automatically in Adobe Digital Editions. Use the scroll bar or arrows at right to move through pages. Click on the "Library view" icon at top left to see all items in your library.

Search tips

Viewing titles with copies available now

Library to Go has a basic search and an expanded search, which allows you to browse titles by format, subject, publisher, language and more. The eCatalogue tab in Library to Go takes you to the basic search screen, while the eSearches tab takes you to the expanded search. Check the "only show titles with copies available" box on either screen to narrow your search to just titles with copies available for checkout. Titles out to other patrons will not appear in your search results.

Browsing all titles by format or subject

Library to Go's expanded search allows you to browse all titles in a particular format or subject. Click on the eSearches tab, select a format (or more than one format, using CTRL + click), select a subject, then click "Go." You can re-sort your search results if you like, by title, creator, date published, date added to the site, or by popularity.

Frequently asked questions

Which format should I choose?

Library to Go e-books are available in two formats: EPUB and PDF. EPUB format e-books are better suited to e-readers and most mobile devices: you can change the font size and style and utilize more of your e-reader's display features. PDFs will work on most e-readers but are sometimes more difficult to read because of the fixed font size. When you see a title available in both formats, choose EPUB. Audiobooks are also available in two formats: WMA and MP3. Mac users will need to choose MP3, while Windows users can download both.

How many items can I borrow at once? How many items can I have on hold?

You are allowed up to five items out at once, and up to five items on hold. You will be emailed when a hold comes available, and will have three days to check it out before it gets released to the next person in the hold queue.

Can I renew items?

E-books and audiobooks can't be renewed. If your loan period ends and a copy of the title is still available for checkout, you can check it out again – as many times as you like. If all copies are out to other patrons, you'll have to place a hold and wait for the next available copy.

Can I return titles early?

E-books can be returned using either Adobe Digital Editions on your computer, or using the OverDrive Media Console app for mobile devices. MP3 audiobooks can be returned using the OverDrive Media Console app for mobile devices. WMA audiobooks cannot be returned early.

In Adobe Digital Editions: click on the "Library view" icon at top left, then hover over the item you wish to return. A small arrow will appear next to the item. Click on the arrow, then select "Return borrowed item." On a mobile device: click on the "Edit" button on the app's main screen and delete the item you wish to return early. When you click "Delete," you'll be promoted to select "Return then delete" or "Delete only."

How do I cancel a hold?

To view your holds, log in to your Library to Go account, then click on the "My Holds" link. Next to each title in your holds list, you'll see a link to "Remove" or "Edit." Click "Remove" to cancel the hold, or "Edit" to see which email address your hold notification will be sent to, and change it if necessary.

Additional resources

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