Welcome! These tips, tutorials and troubleshooting guides for our Overdrive downloadable audiobook and ebook collections will get you reading in no time.
TIP: LOG IN TO OVERDRIVE FOR THE BEST TITLE SELECTION.
OverDrive Ebook and Downloadable Audiobook Collection
downloadable.jclc.org
About the Jefferson County Library Cooperative's Downloadable Media Collection
NEW Consumer Reports "Rival e-readers get touchy" with ratings February 2012
CNET reviews the Best ebook readers November 2011
Check out Consumer Reports December 2010 Ratings for Ebook Readers
The New York Times now tracks ebooks on their weekly Best Sellers lists.
The most up-to-date help and info for your device can be found on OverDrive's Help Site.
Find it quicker! Use the Google search box on the right and do an "HPL Search" for the info you seek. It will only show answers that can be found on our website.
NEW Our popular step-by-step tutorials with screenshots have been moved to the device pages. Click your device type below to find a tutorial.
Yes, you can as long as the devices are all registered with the same Adobe ID. Because you can only register six devices to an Adobe ID, you can only download to six different devices. Your computer counts as one device.
Classes on using NOOK, NookColor and Nook Tablet are offered on a Monday once a month and are taught by our friends at Barnes & Noble. Check the Hoover Public Library event page on Birmingham365.org for upcoming dates.
We also now offer Kindle classes through our Technology Hub! Current month's computer class schedule
Error message:Unable to get the variant value for the requested database field.
This is an OverDrive error. Contact us and we will ask OverDrive to clear the error.
Click "Advanced Search" on the main page downloadable.jclc.org.
Check the box at the bottom that reads "Only show titles with copies available".
Limit the search in any other way you wish.
3/2/2011
JCLC welcomes your suggestions to purchase additional materials. We will make every effort to accommodate your request, but we cannot guarantee that we will be able to purchase the materials you request. Purchase requests from Jefferson County residents are considered within the scope of the libraries' budgets and selection policies.
Downloadable Collection Purchase Suggestion Form
On your computer, open Adobe Digital Editions (ADE). At the top click on the dropdown arrow next to the word LIBRARY. Click on AUTHORIZE COMPUTER. If your computer has been authorized it will tell you what email address (Adobe ID) it was authorized to.
On any mobile device where the Overdrive App was downloaded, open the Overdrive App. At the top right, click on Get Books +. Then click on Settings at the bottom of the screen. If you have authorized your device, it will tell you what email address (Adobe ID) it was authorized to.
We are so glad you are enjoying our downloadable audiobooks and ebooks. One way to support this service is to consider purchasing media through OverDrive WIN. A portion of every purchase made will come back to support the Jefferson County Library System.
Thank you for your support!
To view the license information for a title on a Nook, please follow the steps below:
1. Connect the device to the computer and open Adobe Digital Editions.
2. Click on your device's icon in 'Library View'.
3. The titles that are on the device will be displayed.
4. Click the arrow in the top left corner of the title you want information on and select 'Item Info'.
Once this is done, a screen will open showing the requested information.
Please note: There is not a way to see when a title expires without connecting your device to your computer.
This answer comes via New York Public Library:
"It helps to think of a PDF as a snapshot of a page in a physical book or journal. Charts, images, and diagrams will appear the same way they appear in the printed book. This is great for picture books as well as others where the design is key. If you enlarge the page, you are zooming in to a section; this sometimes makes it not a practical option for people with low vision.
With EPUB, the emphasis is on the text itself. You can resize the text in either direction, to make short pages with large text or long pages with tiny text (this is referred to as "reflow")."
Also, here is a link that provides a good explanation and a handy chart of the differences between the two: http://blog.techw.com/?p=287.
Help from OverDrive:
Compatible Audio Devices
Compatible eBook Devices
We are aware that there are third party applications that may provide accessibility to otherwise unsupported devices but we neither promote nor support third party apps.
It might. If you are waiting your turn for the latest downloadable audiobook or ebook (items are "on reserve") and you need to get a replacement card, please let someone in Fiction know so that we can notify OverDrive that the old and new cards need to be merged. Otherwise, you will not be notified when requested items become available.
Getting a replacement card will not affect items currently checked out from the downloadable collection. Due dates will not change and the item will still return itself as usual.
Answers to common questions about Adobe Digital Editions (ADE), the software needed to download an ebook from OverDrive.
This will be necessary is more than one person with an OverDrive account uses the same computer to download their ebooks.
1. Open Adobe Digital Editions.
2. Press CTRL+SHIFT+D (Win) and CMD+SHIFT+D (Mac)
To return an ebook early on Adobe Digital Editions, you will need to do the following:
1. Download the book to Adobe Digital Editions on your computer.
2. In Adobe Digital Editions, click on the icon at the top left that looks like three books standing on a shelf.
3. Click on the book you want to return.
4. There should be an arrow in the top left corner of the book once you have clicked on it. Click the arrow.
5. Choose "Return Borrowed Item".
Related question: I returned an ebook but it is still on my Nook. How can I tell when it will expire?
You will need to adjust your file associations. The steps taken vary by operating system.
How to Change File Associations
Activating Adobe Digital Editions with an Adobe ID allows you the most flexibility in deciding how and where you can read OverDrive ebooks.
Read more about this topic at OverDrive Help.
You will need to adjust your file associations. The steps taken vary by operating system.
How to Change File Associations
While Barnes and Noble eBooks are in the ePub format, they have a special DRM (Digital Rights Management) that most other ePub books do not use. Your Barnes & Noble eBooks cannot be read in Adobe Digital Editions, or on other kinds of eReaders (Sony, Kobo, etc), while your library books can be seen and read in Adobe Digital Editions on your computer.
Don't worry, this doesn't mean anything is wrong with your eBooks from Barnes & Noble, they just aren't compatible with Adobe Digital Editions. However, all versions of ePub, except the Apple iBooks and eBooks, are compatible with your Nook.
This error message usually indicates that something has interfered with the download process. Clearing out the files as described below will completely remove the download attempt so you can start fresh.
1. Open the Documents\My Digital Editions directory. Open the "Restore" folder, then open the "tasks" folder and delete the folder contents.
2. From Documents\My Digital Editions\Restore, open the "failed" folder and delete the folder contents.
3. Check the following settings:
4. Try to download your book again.
If your problem still continues and you are connected to a local network or WIFI connection, it is possible that there is a local security setting on the network (wireless router) causing this issue. Try using another internet connection or using a hardwired connection, if possible, to see if this error continues.
Be sure you have the latest version of Adobe Digital Editions installed to view your Adobe
eBook(s). Adobe Digital Editions can be downloaded and installed from
this page:
http://www.adobe.com/products/digitaleditions
Additionally, we also recommend making sure the ACSM file association is set correctly. Please take the following steps:
1. 'Control-click' the 'urllink.acsm' file and select 'Get Info'.
2. Expand the 'Open with:' section. 3. In the list of programs displayed, select Adobe Digital Editions.
(You may need to select 'Other' in order to select the program from your list of installed applications.)
4. Click the 'Change All...' button. You should be prompted with a message asking if you wish to apply the change to all documents with the .acsm extension.
5. Click Continue.
6. Close the Info window.
Next, authorize your computer with your Adobe ID. You can then re-download the title(s), connect your device (with Adobe Digital Editions opened) and authorize the device. From there, you can drag and drop the title over to your device in the library view of Adobe Digital Editions.
For download/transfer steps with Adobe Digital Editions (ADE): http://www.overdrive.com/files/eBookHowToGuide.pdf
This error might occur even after you have downloaded ebooks successfully in the past and seems to be a undefined download error. Try rebooting your computer, reopening Adobe Digital Editions, and starting the download again.
This error message is most often the result of a computer set with the incorrect date, time or time zone.
See the solution on Adobe's website Troubleshooting E_ADEPT_REQUEST_EXPIRED errors (Digital Editions).
Answers to common questions about downloadable audiobooks.
Many WMA audiobooks have limits on the number of times they can be transferred. The limit can be displayed in OverDrive Media Console by selecting the title and clicking on "Properties" and then "License".
To refresh the transfer limit, you can download the title again by logging into your account and going to "My Bookshelf." You will not need to download the parts of the audiobook again, but this process will refresh the license information.
Try resetting the Digital Rights Management (DRM) for Windows Media Player to fix this error:
1. First, please delete the DRM folder on your computer. Depending on your OS, it can be found in different locations:
2. Re-run the Windows Media Player Security Upgrade from the OverDrive Media Console under the 'Tools' menu.
3. Attempt to download an OverDrive Audio Book.
The error message reads:
We're sorry, but an error occurred while processing your download.
Error code: 80040812
Error details: Failed call to fulfill the title.
The fulfillment limit (3) for the requested title has been reached.
This error is generated when you exceed the download limit for a license file. The download limit for OverDrive Audio Books is 3 attempts. This means that you will receive this message if you click the download button more than 3 times.
This error may also occur if you are having trouble with a download and were able to get some parts of the book but not the entire book.
If you were able to download some parts of the book, try this:
1. Open the OverDrive Media Console.
2. Right-Click the title of the book, and select 'Download Part(s)'.
3. In the 'Download Part(s)' dialog box, choose which part(s) you would like to download by placing a checkmark next to the desired part(s), then click the 'OK' button.
If this does not fix the problem, please contact library support to reactivate your download link.
Error code: 8004040a
Invalid Fulfillment Request. Verify that all required parameters are submitted with the request.
The URL link has expired. (The current UTC time is 'Fri Feb 04 23:47:10 2011 '. This link
expired at UTC 'Fri Feb 04 23:40:05 2011 '.)
There are a couple of possible causes for this issue: - You may have had your webpage open too long time before clicking 'download'. If this is the case, refresh the page and try again. Or your clock on your computer may be set to a different time zone, or otherwise incorrect. If this is the case, please check and update the computer's time.
FIRST
Verify that the date/time on your computer is correct.
THEN
Follow the steps to empty your temporary internet files:
Internet Explorer 6:
1. In Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Internet Options.
2. On the 'General' tab, in the 'Temporary Internet Files' section, click the 'Delete Files' button.
3. Check the 'Delete all offline content' checkbox.
4. Once completed, please also click the 'Delete Cookies' button.
5. Click 'OK'.
Internet Explorer 7:
1. In Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Internet Options.
2. On the 'General' tab, in the Browsing history' section, click the 'Delete' button.
3. Click the 'Delete all' button at the bottom of this menu.
4. Click 'Yes'.
FINALLY
Remove the old license file by following the steps below:
1. Open the OverDrive Media Console and delete the problem title(s).
2. Verify that the title has been removed from the following folder: *C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\My Documents\My Media\{name of book}
3. Go to the library website and download the book again.
This error is generated when you exceed the download limit for a license file. The download limit for OverDrive Audio Books is 3 attempts. This means that you will receive this message if you click the download button more than 3 times.
This error may also occur if you are having trouble with a download and were able to get some parts of the book but not the entire book.
If you were able to download some parts of the book, try this:
1. Open the OverDrive Media Console.
2. Right-Click the title of the book, and select 'Download Part(s)'.
3. In the 'Download Part(s)' dialog box, choose which part(s) you would like to download by placing a checkmark next to the desired part(s), then click the 'OK' button.
If this does not fix the problem, please contact library support to reactivate your download link.
FIRST
Verify that the date/time on your computer is correct.
THEN
Follow the steps to empty your temporary internet files:
Internet Explorer 6:
1. In Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Internet Options.
2. On the 'General' tab, in the 'Temporary Internet Files' section, click the 'Delete Files' button.
3. Check the 'Delete all offline content' checkbox.
4. Once completed, please also click the 'Delete Cookies' button.
5. Click 'OK'.
Internet Explorer 7:
1. In Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Internet Options.
2. On the 'General' tab, in the Browsing history' section, click the 'Delete' button.
3. Click the 'Delete all' button at the bottom of this menu.
4. Click 'Yes'.
FINALLY
Remove the old license file by following the steps below:
1. Open the OverDrive Media Console and delete the problem title(s).
2. Verify that the title has been removed from the following folder: *C:\Documents and Settings\{username}\My Documents\My Media\{name of book}
3. Go to the library website and download the book again.
1. Connect your Apple device and make sure iTunes is open on your computer.
2. Left click on your iPod's name under ’Devices’ in the left hand column of iTunes.
3. Select the 'Summary' tab in the right hand pane of iTunes.
4. Under 'Options' make sure you've checked the 'Manually manage music' check box.
5. On the left, under ’Devices’, click the arrow to expand the contents view for your Apple device.
6. Select 'Music'.
7. On the right, select the file(s) you want to delete and press the 'delete' key on your keyboard.
8. If prompted, click ‘Remove’.

1. Open OverDrive Media Console.
2. Click "Tools" from the menu at the top left. Select "Windows Media Player security upgrade".
3. Click OK and it should download.
IF NOTHING HAPPENS and the update fails to download, follow these steps:
1. Press F1 and a help box will appear.
2. Look for this link "http://drmlicense.one.microsoft.com/indivsite" in the box on the right, and click the link.
3. This box will appear to indicate that the download was a success:
FIRST
Try upgrading to Zune 3.0 software. Then, be sure all Zune applications are closed before attempting a transfer.
IF THIS DOES NOT WORK
You may need to uninstall and reinstall OverDrive Media Console.
To remove your existing installation of OverDrive Media Console:
1. Go to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301
2. Near the bottom of the page, download the installation package for the 'Windows Install Cleanup Utility'.
3. Once you download the .EXE file, run it to install the utility.
4. Then, run the utility from the programs list in the Start Menu.
5. Select the OverDrive Media Console and click 'Remove'.
6. Close the utility.
After you have completed these steps please perform the following to reinstall the OverDrive Media Console:
1. Copy this URL:
http://www.overdrive.com/files/odmediaconsolesetup.msi and paste it in your web browser's address field.
2. Press 'Enter' to begin the download.
3. When the .msi has finished downloading, attempt to install it.
4. Once these steps have been completed, you may try to transfer the title again.
Frequently asked questions and screenshot tutorials for reading ebooks on popular Apple devices.
How to download ebooks to your iPad (25 page PDF)
How to download ebooks to your iPhone (23 page PDF)
How to return ebooks on your iPhone (3 page PDF)
The ability to save the log in information is a function of the device's browser, not of the OverDrive Media Console. You can allow the browser to save the credentials by following the steps below.
For Apple devices:
All iPhones with iOS v4.0 (or newer) are supported by the latest version of OverDrive for iPhone.
See also: Can I read ebooks on my smart phone?
Q: Why doesn't the Overdrive app remember my library card number even though I checked the "Remember me" box the last time I logged in?
Please read these instructions (PDF) and follow the steps. Then log back onto OverDrive and check "Remember Me" again. The selection should remain from session to session now.
Frequently asked questions and screenshot tutorials for Kindle devices.
Thanks to our Tech Instructor Shannon for this excellent chart!
Not sure which instructions to follow to download ebooks to your Kindle? Check out this handy flow chart from Emmet O'Neal Library.
Kindle Flow Chart - Which instructions do I use? (1 page PDF)
How to download to a Kindle - Simple instructions, no screenshots. Great for printing! (1 page PDF)
NEW How to download ebooks to a Kindle (23 page PDF with screenshots)
How to Download to Kindle Fire - Quick Guide. Great for printing! (1 page PDF)
How to download to a Kindle Fire (3 page PDF)
How to install the OverDrive Media Console app on your Kindle Fire (7 page PDF)
The downloadable.jclc.org website has a a link in the bottom-left corner to 'Additional eBooks' that do not count against checkout limits. Unfortunately these books are only available in the EPUB format so they cannot be used with Kindle e-readers (with the exception of the Kindle Fire.)
If you own a Kindle Fire and would like to read these 'Additonal eBooks', you will need to install the Overdrive Media Console App. You may find the instructions HERE.
After installing the OMC app, you can browse and download any of the 'Additional eBooks'. When opening the e-book, you will be prompted to select which app to use to complete the task. Select the Overdrive Media Console.
Problem: A patron checks out a Kindle ebook and transfers the book to their Kindle Fire wirelessly. When the patron opens the ebook to read it the cover and the title page are there but subsequent pages are blank.
Solution 1: Do a hard reboot of the Kindle Fire first and see if this fixes the problem. To do a hard reboot: press and hold the power button on the bottom of the Kindle Fire for 15 seconds, then press it again to turn the Kindle back on. If this does not fix the issue, proceed to Solution 2.
Solution 2: Delete “Books” folder from the Kindle Fire. Please note that deleting the “Books folder from the Kindle Fire will delete any downloaded books from the Kindle Fire. Patrons will not have to repurchase their Kindle Fire books but they will have to download them again.
To delete “Books” folder:
We are not sure why this problem occurs but if restarting the device does not work try doing a hard reboot by pressing and holding the power button on the bottom of the device (for about 15 seconds) and then pressing the button again to turn it back on.
Here is a great explanation from the Wake County Public Libraries.
How to return a Kindle book early
Frequently asked questions about mobile apps and smart phones.
OverDrive apps for iPhone and Android now support eBooks All iPhones with iOS v4.0 (or newer) are supported by the latest version of OverDrive for iPhone.
At this time, titles cannot be returned in the mobile versions of OverDrive. However, titles may be returned through Adobe Digital Editions on your computer.
To do this, you must have Adobe Digital Editions downloaded to your computer, authorize your computer with your Adobe ID, and then manage your downloads through this software instead of through the mobile app.
SEE How to return an ebook early
Revised 3/2/2011
On the website, you can click "Advanced Search" and then check "Only show titles with copies available" to limit your results to only what is immediately available. The mobile site for the library shows a condensed version of the main site to allow for faster browsing. Only the titles that are available to the device based on its capacity to view the files will be displayed.
Additionally, a condensed version of the subject listings are displayed which may appear different than on the main site. The advanced search feature and the Library Bin are not available on the mobile site.
You may have successfully downloaded ebooks in the past but are now getting this message:
"OverDrive Media Console
Error retrieving Media Library list.
AdobeEPUB is not a constant in the enum type class com.overdrive.mobile.
android.mediaconsole.framework. ContentFormat (error code 1006)
This may be an Android version compatibility problem. Try reloading the OverDrive Media Console for the Android again.
Frequently asked questions and screenshot tutorials for Nook, NookColor and NookTablet.
How to download ebooks to your Nook and NookColor (10 page PDF)
The problem is likely that your Nook came preloaded with an Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) folder and because of this your ADE program won't recognize your device.
1. Go to "My Computer" (or the equivalent on your PC or MAC).
2. Click on the Nook drive.
3. Find and copy the file ".adobe-digital-editions" to your desktop. Delete the file on your Nook drive.
4. Safely eject and unplug the Nook from the computer.
5. Close Adobe Digital Editions.
6. Restart Adobe Digital Editions.
7. Plug the Nook to the computer.
8. Adobe Digital Editions should display the Nook icon and prompt you to authorize the device.
9. If not, go back to the Nook drive in "My Computer".
10. Find and delete the "Digital Editions" file.
11. Close Adobe Digital Editions.
12. Restart Adobe Digital Editions.
13. Adobe Digital Editions should display the Nook icon and prompt you to authorize the device.
14. Authorize the device.
15. You can transfer books now!
After you have disconnected the Nook from your computer:
1. Activate the color touchscreen at the bottom of your Nook by touching the touchscreen:
1. Press the button that says LibraryYour downloaded book should appear.
2. Press the button that says My B&N Library
3. Press the button that says View My Documents
The problem is likely that your Nook came preloaded with an Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) folder and because of this your ADE program won't recognize your device.
1. Go to "My Computer" (or the equivalent on your PC or MAC).
2. Click on the Nook drive.
3. Find and copy the file ".adobe-digital-editions" to your desktop. Delete the file on on your Nook drive.
4. Safely eject and unplug the Nook from the computer.
5. Close Adobe Digital Editions.
6. Restart Adobe Digital Editions.
7. Plug the Nook to the computer.
8. Adobe Digital Editions should display the Nook icon and prompt you to authorize the device.
9. If not, go back to the Nook drive in "My Computer".
10. Find and delete the "Digital Editions" file.
11. Close Adobe Digital Editions.
12. Restart Adobe Digital Editions.
13. Adobe Digital Editions should display the Nook icon and prompt you to authorize the device.
14. Authorize the device.
15. You can transfer books now!
Frequently asked questions about downloading ebooks to the Pandigital Novel.
Unfortunately, only the white Pandigital Novel works with the Overdrive service. Black devices may work to some extent but will experience problems. Downloading up-to-date firmware for these device can make the problems worse.
Frequently asked questions about Sony Reader.
IN PROCESS
If you own a Sony Reader, you must download the Sony Reader Library software. To download ebooks from the library, you must also install Adobe Digital Editions.
Click here to download Reader Library Software
Click here to download Adobe Digital Editions