Downloadable eAudiobooks

Richardson Public Library welcomes you to downloadable eAudiobooks from NetLibrary and Recorded Books. eAudiobooks are digital versions of audiobooks available through the Internet that can be played on any desktop or portable computer that supports Windows Media Player 9.0 or above. You can also transfer your favorite titles to a wide range of portable devices such as music players, media centers, Pocket PCs and even select smartphone devices.

Available titles include a wide selection of popular fiction and nonfiction, and the Bible.

Click here to see NetLibrary’s Demo video.

               
Basic requirements to use NetLibrary Downloadable eAudiobooks

• A personal computer with an Internet connection is needed. The web browser must be Internet Explorer 5.5 and above, Netscape 6.2 and above, Mozilla 1.1 and above, Firefox 1.0 and above or Opera 7.0 and above. The computer must have Windows Media Player 9.0 or above.
• If you plan to transfer to a portable device, it must support playback of secure or protected wma files. Check the Windows Media Plays for Sure web site to search for compatible devices. Approximately 800 titles can be played on any device, including iPods, capable of playing mp3 files.

             
Recent changes to NetLibrary Downloadable eAudiobooks

• Addition of 800 titles in mp3 format that can be downloaded to any mp3 ready device, including Ipods.  Click here to learn how to search for those titles.
• Addition of the Media Center interface. Media Center is a program that must be downloaded to your computer from NetLibrary and installed. Titles can then be browsed, checked out, listened to and downloaded to your portable device through the Media Center. The audiobook and license are downloaded at the same time.
• Pimsleur language materials are no longer available as downloadable audiobooks. The library does offer a wide selection of materials available on CD.

            
Creating your account

In order to download eAudiobooks from NetLibrary, you must create an account with NetLibrary. This can be done from home or at Richardson Public Library.

To create your account from home, go to NetLibrary Downloadable Audiobooks. You will need to type in your library card number for your Borrower ID. Once you are connected to the NetLibrary site, choose Create a free account in the Log In section on the upper right side of the screen. Fill in the form and click Create Account.

To create your account at the library, go to catalog access computer in the library.  Click on the Databases icon from the desktop. Scroll down in the General Information databases until you can click on netLibrary Downloadable Audio Books.  Choose Create a free account in the Log In section on the upper right side of the screen. Fill in the form and click Create Account.
           
                       
NetLibrary's New Media Center

                   
When NOT using Media Center

Searching for an eAudiobook to download

There are two search options: basic search and advanced search.

Basic Search lets you quickly find eAudiobooks to listen to, using the Keyword, Title or Author fields. You can find Basic Search on your NetLibrary home page and on the right side of every page (except the Advanced Search page).

1. Enter a search term in the Basic Search field.
2. Select Keyword, Title or Author.
3. Click Search.
4. Search results will display all eContent in the library’s collection that matches your search criteria.

Advanced Search offers multiple fields and Boolean operators.

1. Click on the Advanced Search link located in the Basic Search box.
2. Use the drop-down menu to select search parameters (Title, Author, Subject, Keyword, ISBN).
3. Enter search term(s).
4. Click Search.

Checking Out an eAudiobook

The checkout period for eAudiobooks is three weeks. You may check out a maximum of 10 eAudiobook titles at one time. Please do not download eAudiobooks to public computers in the library – download at home.

1. From search results, click on the Download this eAudiobook link.
2. Select a download option: CD or radio quality. Choose radio for dial-up connections; choose CD if you have high-speed access or if you plan to transfer to a portable device.
3. Selecting Open will download the title and launch your media player. Click the Play button to listen. Selecting Save lets you download the file to a directory. Once the download is complete, you can open the eAudiobook directly from your media player or use Windows Explorer.

The License

When the title is first played, Windows Media Player will prompt you to acquire a license. The process will require you to log in to your NetLibrary account.

Transferring your eAudiobook

Before transferring an eAudiobook to a portable device, you must open it at least once on your computer in order to acquire the license. You can then transfer the title to a portable device using your media player. Please refer to your media player’s help section for complete details.

Renewing your eAudiobook

At any point during the checkout period, you can renew your checkout for an additional 21 days.

1. Log in.
2. Click on the My Checked Out Items link.
3. Click on the Download this eAudiobook link for the title you want to renew.
4. Click on the Renew your checkout for 21 days link.

If your checkout period has expired, you can checkout the title again without downloading it. Click on the Checkout (No Download) link from the Download page for the title. Open the expired file from your media player. It will automatically connect to NetLibrary, prompt you to log in, and re-checkout the title.

Questions or problems

If you have questions or problems, please call the Library at 972-744-4357 or ask at any information service desk in the Library.