Web Team Blog

Accessing TPL eBooks and Audiobooks on your Blackberry Playbook

The recently released BlackBerry OverDrive Mobile App and new OS (2.0) for Blackberry Playbook allows users to access ebooks and audiobooks through their device.   Some have experienced difficulties getting this app to work properly so we’ve compiled some instructions to help users. Try following these steps to get ebooks working on your BlackBerry Playbook.

Download OS 2

• Tap "Settings" on your Playbook (upper right hand corner)
• Select "Software Updates"
• Tap "Check for Updates"  and download the new operating system

Get the OverDrive App

• Tap on the "App World" icon on the Playbook
• Enter “Overdrive Media Console” in the search box
• On the results page, select OverDrive’s mobile app
• Tap “Download” to install the app
• When the download completes, open it and select “Yes” to grant trusted application status

Authorize Your Device.

• Open the OverDrive mobile app already installed on your Blackberry Playbook
• Swipe down from the top of the screen to see the options menu for the app
• Select "App Settings"
• Scroll down the App Settings screen until you see where to enter your Adobe ID and password and tap “Authorize”
• If you do not have an Adobe ID, tap the button to obtain a free ID and fill out the form on the Adobe website

Add TPL to your Library List

• Open OverDrive’s mobile app on your BlackBerry Playbook
• Swipe down from the top of the screen to see the options menu for the app
• Select "Get Books"
• Tap "Add a Library" and enter “Toronto Public Library” in the search box and tap “Search” 
• Select any TPL branch displayed in the results
• Tap the star next to the library name to add it to your library list
• Tap the library name to visit TPL’s mobile OverDrive site

Download Ebooks

• From the TPL mobile OverDrive site, use the buttons at the top of the screen to Browse or Search for Adobe EPUB ebooks or MP3 audiobooks
• Check the box to show only available titles
• Once you’ve found a title, tap “Add to Cart”
• When you’re ready to checkout, tap “Proceed to Checkout” from within your cart
• Log in with your library card number and PIN when prompted
• Tap “Confirm Checkout”
• Tap “Download” beneath the title in your OverDrive bookshelf
• The title will download to your Playbook and open, ready for you to enjoy!

 

Toronto 2.0

I was thrilled to open up this morning's Globe and see an article about the City of Toronto and open data:  Toronto 2.0: Data Sharing Source.

A few weeks ago we created a post about opening up the Library's data because making our content accessible and mash-able is a priority for the Library.

Today's article talks about Toronto being a real leader in social computing uptake and also a innovator in civic engagement.  It specifically talks about Change Camp, which took place last weekend.  Change Camp's mandate: 

"How do we re-imagine government and citizenship 

in the age of participation?"

At the Library we imagine many possibilities.   Like you looking for a book from your mobile phone and then being able to get TTC, driving or walking directions to the nearest available copy.  We also imagine you browsing the internet and being able to see related Library resources and programming information.  We're not entirely there yet, but the willingness and the motivation is and the capabilities are definitely coming along.

The web team will be at Toronto's Mesh Conference again this year and are looking forward to a lively discussion about social computing and open data that meets civic needs.  So if you happen to also be attending, make sure you stop one of us for a chat.

It is an exciting time for us here at the Library and for all Torontonians!

Library tip for accessing news online: Do you ever get a "To continue reading, you will need to purchase this article." message from newspaper websites?  That message is your cue to go to the Library's website where you will able to find, read and print the full text of newspapers articles that are no longer available through the news company's website.  As always, it's free, with your Library card.