TRL Download Collection
(Rev. 12/1/08)

Frequently Asked Questions

Timberland Regional Library is pleased to offer downloadable audiobooks, videos and music to library patrons. You can browse the Download Collection catalog, check out an audiobook, video or music title, then download and play it on your home PC or portable audio device.  MP3 Audiobooks can be downloaded to a Mac and transferred to iPods.  Some titles can be burned to CDs.  Please note that audiobooks, videos and music cannot be downloaded in the libraries. 

Here are answers to some frequently asked basic questions about the Download Collection service.  Also see the extensive Help pages from OverDrive, our download service vendor.

How does the Download service work? 

• Downloadable audiobooks, videos and music may “checked out” through the Library’s web site. You can search the Download Collection catalog provided by our vendor, OverDrive, and then check out an item.
   

• The first time you use the download service, you need to download and install the OverDrive Media Console software on your PC pr Mac. You can then download an audiobook, video or music to your PC, transfer it to a portable listening device.  You can download MP3 audiobooks to a Mac and transfer them to iPods..

Do I need a library card to download audiobooks, videos and music? 

• Yes. If you do not already have a TRL library card and are eligible for a card, you can print the application that is available online, fill it out, and return to any Timberland library.

Do downloaded audiobooks, videos and music expire? 

• Yes. Just as with traditional checkout, downloadable titles are checked out for a limited time. Downloadable audiobooks “check out” for 14 days.  The expiration date is set exactly 14 days after the date/time that they checked are out. They automatically become inaccessible on your PC when the loan period ends.   Downloadable videos and music "check out" for 7 days.

Can I place a hold on a downloadable item?

• If all copies of a downloadable title are checked out, you can place a hold on it.  You will receive an email when it is available for you to check out.  The email message will come from ebooks@trlib.org. 

Are there limits to checking out downloadable items? 

Can I return a downloaded item early?

• No. downloaded titles cannot be returned early.  However, you can select a shorter checkout period.

Can I download audiobooks, videos or music in the library? 

• These items cannot be downloaded onto library computers or via the wireless network in the TRL libraries. 

Is this service compatible with Apple computers and iPods?

• Yes.  On December 1, 2008, Timberland added support for Mac computers and iPods.  Only MP3 audiobooks can be downloaded to a Mac or transferred to an iPod.  Overdrive WMA (Windows Media Audio) audiobooks, videos and music cannot be downloaded to iPods, or used on Mac computers.

  Our WMA audiobook titles, provided by OverDrive, Inc., use copyright protection technology from Microsoft Corporation. Unfortunately the iPod (and Mac) do not currently support copyright-protected Windows Media Audio (WMA) files.

  To review a suggested list of portable devices, click here. Note that in order to use OverDrive Audio Book titles on a device, the device must either support the bit rate of 32kbps or be able to transcode 32kbps files to a supported bit rate.

What happens if I change my library account/card number?

• If you change your library account (that is, if you need to replace your card for any reason), you will lose access to your OverDrive account. This means you will lose access to titles you have downloaded, as well as to titles you put on hold using the old card number.  Please contact the library for assistance with transferring your downloads and holds to the new card.

Can the library give me technical assistance with the process downloading audiobooks to my computer?

In order to facilitate troubleshooting, please include the following information in your correspondence:

• Steps to reproduce the problem (in as much detail as possible)
• Exact text of any error message (screen shots are helpful)
• URL(s) of any error page(s) you encounter
• Library card number
• Title(s) of problem download(s)
• Applicable software version (this information can typically be found under Help > About.)
• Operating system (Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 98 SE, etc.)
• Internet browser and version (Internet Explorer 7.0, Firefox 2.0, etc. In most browsers, find this under Help > About.)
• If applicable, device type and operating system

Where can I find out more? 

• See Help - Quick Start Guide

• See Digital Help