OverDrive will release an updated version of the OverDrive Media Console (OMC) mobile app for iOS and Android (v2.6.5) on Tuesday, May 28. This change will effect people who use the Overdrive app to read ebooks or listen to audiobooks on their iOS or Android smartphone or tablet.  Below is a summary of the release details.

Overdrive Update for Apple/iOS v2.6.5

In addition to improving the speed of the in-app browser and a few bug fixes, the updated Overdrive app will require you to reauthorize your Adobe ID. This re-authorization is required by Apple and reflects changes in Apple's privacy policies. As a result, the Overdrive App for iOS will de-authorize every users’ Adobe ID and prompt them to authorize again. Audiobook users will be unaffected unless attempting to download parts from a book that was only partially downloaded prior to the update.
 
eBooks – Adobe Authorization

After installing the update, users with authorized Adobe IDs in place will see the following message:
 

Clicking ‘Sign In’ will show the ‘Adobe Authorization’ screen. The deauthorized Adobe ID will be pre-populated and you will only need to enter your password. The ‘Forgot password?’ link will be also available.

Audiobooks – Help downloading additional parts

If you have an audiobook checked out at the time of the update, you won’t notice anything different unless you attempt to download additional parts an audiobook that was not entirely downloaded to the app before the update. In this case, the following message is displayed:
 
 
 

If you see this message, you will need to download the title again from your bookshelf on our Overdrive website.

If you run into trouble with these updates, please contact us for help. 

Tags: ebooks

Yesterday, we were pleased to learn that Hachette, one of the “Big 6” publishers in the United States, will now sell their full catalog of ebook titles to public libraries beginning May 8th. Until now, Hachette had limited libraries to a small selection of backlist titles.  This is good news for ebook lovers. Hachette will give our readers access to ebooks by David Baldacci, Sara Zarr, Sandra Brown, James Patterson, David Sedaris, and Kate Atkinson, among others.

In related news, Tony Marx, the CEO of the New York Public Library, published an op-ed in the New York Times yesterday about the state of library ebook lending. In it, he discussed a pilot project with Simon & Schuster whereby New York libraries will offer their ebooks for loan.  While this does not directly impact us here in Philadelphia, it is important to acknowledge this step by another major publisher. 

These developments mark the first time that some content by all of the Big 6 American book publishers will offer their digital titles to libraries.  For those who’ve followed this story on our blog and elsewhere, this is surely welcome news. While we still have a way to go before we can enjoy the full access and sensible pricing terms that libraries and you deserve, it is worth remembering that publishers also face intense pressures in this new digital environment and we applaud their recent efforts.

Here’s a recap of where we stand with each of the Big 6 publishers:

Hachette – Full ebook catalog available to libraries.

Random House – Full ebook catalog available to libraries.

Harper Collins – Full ebook catalog available to libraries.

Penguin – Titles purchased before February, 2012 are still available through libraries that use the Overdrive ebook platform, but new titles and best sellers are available only to a limited number of libraries through a pilot program with the 3M and Axis 360 ebook platforms.

Simon & Schuster – Full catalog available to New York libraries through a pilot program.

Macmillan – Offers a limited selection of their ebook to all libraries.

Tags: ebooks

Here are the Top 10 ebooks downloaded from Free Library's OverDrive Digital Library in April 2013.
There were more than 850 ebooks checked out and downloaded for the month!

This following list comprises fiction and nonfiction titles from across all genres.
 

1.		The Best Man (fiction) by Kristan Higgins A humorous romance novel from bestselling author and two-time winner of the Romance Writers of America RITA Award Kristan Higgins.
2.		Bite Me, Your Grace (fiction) by Brooklyn Ann New paranormal romance series from author Brooklyn Ann.
3.		Starting Now (fiction) by Debbie Macomber A heartfelt tale of friendship, renewal, and discovering what's truly important in life in this newest Blosom Stret novel from Debbie Macomber.
4.		Tapestry of Fortunes (fiction) by Elizabeth Berg Four women venture into their pasts in order to shape their futures, fates, and fortunes in this New York Times bestseller.
5.		Lean In (nonfiction) by Sheryl Sandberg Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, examines womens' current state in the modern workplace, offering compelling, commonsense solutions that can empower women to achieve their full potential.
6.		Sealed With A Kiss (fiction) by Carly Phillips Latest contemporary romance novel from award-winning writer Carly Phillips.
7.		All That Is (fiction) by James Salter A coming of age tale in a post-World War II setting by PEN/Faulkner winning author James Salter.
8.		A Chance Worth Taking (fiction) by Carrie Weaver Drama screeches its tires and burns rubber all over the pages of this NASCAR-themed romance novel.
9.		Cover of Snow (fiction) by Jenny Milchman Stylish suspense thriller from first time novelist Jenny Milchman.
10.		The Reluctant Lark (fiction) by Iris Johansen New York Times bestselling author Iris Johansen pens a story of classic love and loss in this romance novel.

Want to begin e-reading but don't know where to start?
Check out our comprehensive ebook guide!

Tags: ebooks, tech

We’re so excited to announce the launch of the Virtual Free Library at Suburban Station, an awesome undertaking made possible by the Free Library and our partners at Dunkin’ Donuts, SEPTA, and Titan. The Virtual Library—believed to be the nation’s first in a train station—is featured on more than 70 advertising boards throughout Suburban Station and is home to a selection of classic and bestselling ebooks, as well as podcasts from our ever-popular Author Events Series. More than 50 titles are available for download via QR code right to commuters’ mobile devices.

These hand-picked titles offer just a taste of the Free Library's extensive digital holdings, which include access to more than 80,000 ebooks, 8,00 audiobooks, and 1,000 author podcasts!

In addition to the Virtual Library at Suburban Station, SEPTA will recognize National Library Week by sponsoring the “What are you reading?” giveaway. Through April 16, you can submit the titles of the books you're currently enjoying to SEPTA’s Facebook page and the @SEPTA_Social Twitter feed using the hashtag #enrichyourride to win prizes, including a monthly transit pass, Dunkin' Donuts gift pack, and front-row seats at select author events. 

Enrich your ride with reading! Be sure to pop by the bustling Suburban Station and try out the Virtual Free Library for yourself. Tell us what you think on our Twitter feed, and don’t forget to check out SEPTA’s great giveaway!

Tags: digital collections, ebooks, podcasts

The Free Library of Philadelphia offers a large number of downloadable audiobooks in our Overdrive collection.  Downloading audiobooks is simple, but the process you will use and the audiobook formats available to you depends upon the type of computer or device you have.

If you have an iPad, iPhone, iTouch, Nook Tablet, Kindle Fire, or other mobile device that can play MP3 files, go to your app store -- whether it's the iTunes Store, Google Play, the Nook Store, the Kindle App Store, or elsewhere -- and add the free Overdrive Media Console (OMC) App to your device.

From within the OMC app you will be able to search for, checkout, download, and listen to audiobooks.  Please note that you are restricted to MP3 format audiobooks with mobile devices.

If you would like to download audiobooks to your PC and listen to them through your computer or transfer them to an portable MP3 player such as an iPod, simply download Overdrive Media Console (OMC) software to your PC.  You will then go to our Overdrive collection on your PC to search for, checkout, and download your audiobook in either MP3 or WMA file format.  Once you download the audiobook, it will open in OMC and you can listen to it on your PC or use OMC's transfer feature to send it your portable music player. Find specific instructions on how to transfer audiobooks from your PC to an Apple iPod here.

The process is the same if you have a Mac computer at home.  However, on a Mac, you are not able to checkout WMA format audiobooks, only MP3. Find specific instructions on how to transfer MP3 audiobooks from a Mac to an Apple iPod here.

For more help and information on downloadable audiobooks see the comprehensive selection of audiobook articles and tips over at Overdrive's Help page. 

Tags: ebooks