New features for managing your OverDrive eBook holds

Good news for users of OverDrive eBooks and eAudiobooks: two new options to help you manage your holds have just been released. 

 

Suspending Holds

As with holds on physical library materials, suspending keeps your place in the waiting list, but allows you to:

• Make sure you don't get all your holds at the same time
• Stop holds from coming in when you know you'll be too busy to read them

Here's how it works:

1. Sign in to your OverDrive account.
2. In your Holds list, choose the item you want to suspend and click on Options.
    
3. Choose the time period for suspending the hold (from 7 to 90 days) and click Submit.

 

Your hold is now suspended. You can change the suspension dates or unsuspend the hold at any time by clicking the Edit link.

 

Automatic Checkout

OverDrive has also introduced an option to save you a step in the eBook borrowing process and help ensure you never miss your holds once they become available.

At the time you place a hold, you'll see a checkbox labelled Automatically borrow this title when it becomes available.

Note that the box is checked by default. If you leave it selected, OverDrive will automatically check the book out to your account as soon as it becomes available.

If you change your mind, you can turn this setting on and off for individual holds by going to the Holds section of your account:

See OverDrive's article on how automatic borrowing works for more details.

 

Ready to Place Some eBook Holds?

You can have up to 30 items on hold in OverDrive. Looking for some books to add to your holds list? Here are a few good places to start:

• Hot eBooks 2014
• Book Club Favourites
• Toronto Public Library Staff Picks

Update for eBook and eAudiobook users: new OverDrive app for Apple and Android devices

On August 20, the OverDrive eBook service released a new version of the OverDrive Media Console app for Apple and Android devices.

What's new in version 3.0

• A new design
• The ability to sync bookmarks and reading progress across multiple devices using an opt-in registration service called OverDrive One
• Enhanced help features, including in-app help and guidance for new users
• The ability to share what you are reading or listening to via email or social media
• Variable speed playback for eAudiobooks. Listen at a speed that is most comfortable for you (iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch users only)

 

Here's a preview of what the new version looks like:

 

If you already have OverDrive Media Console installed on your device, you will be prompted to update, or it will happen automatically depending on your device settings. To install OverDrive Media Console, or for more information, visit http://omc.overdrive.com. 

Need help?

Contact OverDrive Technical Support if you need help with the new version of the app or any other eBook or eAudiobook technical issues.

Update for OverDrive Users: Kindle Fire Now in Canada and Compatible with Library eBooks

The Kindle Fire is hot off the presses in Canada and it's the first Kindle compatible with OverDrive library ebooks and eaudiobooks from Canadian libraries.  Unlike traditional Kindles (which still are not compatible with library ebooks in Canada), the Fire is an android-based tablet which allows you to download the free OverDrive Media Console app in order to access library material.  All you need is your Amazon account information (used to set up your new device), an Adobe ID and your Toronto Public Library Card. See our Kindle Fire guide to find out just how easy it is to start reading or listening to books from the library. 

Update for OverDrive eBook users: new version of the app for Apple and Android devices

On May 28, the OverDrive eBook service is releasing a new version of the OverDrive Media Console app for Apple and Android devices. The new version includes some important bug fixes, so you'll want to make sure you get the update for your device.

How do I get the new version of the app?

If you already have the OverDrive app, your device should prompt you to download and install the new version. Or you can go directly to app store for your device:

• OverDrive Media Console for Apple devices
• OverDrive Media Console for Android devices

Important advice for iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch users

• You're going to have to re-authorize the app with your Adobe ID. Your Adobe ID is the email address and password you set up on the Adobe site when you started using library eBooks.

• You may have problems when trying to complete the download of an audiobook you had already borrowed. OverDrive has provided instructions for resolving 'downloadManagerErrorDomain:403’ errors.

Need help?

Contact OverDrive Technical Support if you need help with the new version of the app or any other eBook or eAudiobook technical issues.

Update for OverDrive eBook users: changes to Adobe Digital Editions

Version 2.0 of Adobe Digital Editions, the software used to transfer OverDrive eBooks to your eBook reader, was released last week. The new version has some accessibility improvements to help users with low vision or visual impairments. Some features have also been streamlined: you can now access the menu options for a book (including the options to add the book to your device and to return a borrowed item) by right-clicking on the eBook cover.

There is also, unfortunately, a small bug with the new version of the software: each of your checked-out items has a banner showing you how many days you have left to read it, but this banner is currently displaying the wrong information. Don't worry: you actually still have the full checkout period to read your eBook - only the banner is incorrect.

Note that the new features (and this one bug) are only found in the new version of Adobe Digital Editions released last week. If you still have the older version, you won't see these changes.

Accessing TPL eBooks and Audiobooks on your Blackberry Playbook

Update (August 21, 2014): OverDrive is no longer supporting their app for the 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!

 

Why are some books not available as eBooks at the Library?

Ebooks are certainly popular here at the Toronto Public Library!  While it’s true that the ebook collection at TPL is growing all the time, you might find some newer titles curiously absent from the collection.  Since ebooks first arrived, many TPL patrons have enjoyed being able to access the latest and greatest titles in electronic format. It has been a model publishers, vendors, and libraries have all agreed provides the most reasonable and equitable form of access.  Now, some publishers have different ideas of how the ebook library lending model should look in the future. 

On this important topic, CBC’s The National reported recently that major publishers' concerns over piracy are impacting long established library book lending practices.  See the following video for the full report.

If you’re an avid ebook fan, or if you’re simply curious about how the program works, please watch this enlightening piece.  As TPL patrons have come to learn, the greatness of ebooks is not going away. But for the time being, we must work within an industry which is navigating uncharted digital waters. 

Penguin Group halting new eBook additions for Library lending

Update (August 21, 2014): Penguin Canada titles are available through the library's eBook collection.

It was just announced that Penguin publishers will be halting distribution of newly-released titles to the Overdrive service, citing security concerns.  

Access to all older Penguin ebooks has been restored, however. The 'Get For Kindle' option was also recently removed, but this does not affect Canadian libraries since Kindle versions are not provided through Overdrive currently. 

Penguin pulishers halts distribution of their new titles in ebook format and pulls newest books from library e-book lending programs 

 

Users who are seeking new Penguin ebooks may not find the materials they are looking for until this issue is resolved. We will make further notifications as news arrives.

 

 

How to use the Kobo Vox to download TPL eBooks

The Kobo Vox is one of the latest offerings of the many available eReader/Tablet devices.  To access and read library materials through the Vox you must use the OverDrive app since, as an Android tablet, it does not currently support Adobe Digital Editions.

Installing OverDrive Media Console on the Kobo Vox:

• Make sure your VOX is connected to a Wi Fi network
• Tap the Home icon
• Tap All Apps
• Tap Browser
• Navigate to OverDrive Media Console for Android™ Version 2.3   (http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc/AndroidEULA.aspx)
• Agree to the terms at the bottom of the page - the download will start
• After the download is complete open the notifications bar by dragging down from the top, or tap the Menu icon and tap Notifications
• Tap on the Overdrive download (ODMediaConsoleSetup.apk) in order to install
• Tap Install
• Tap Open once the installation is complete
• Tap Close in the About OverDrive Media Console window
• OverDrive is installed in the All Apps section

Once you have the application installed you will have to register your OverDrive Media Console for Android. See Instructions for Registering your Device.

For more information on using OverDrive Media Console, please see the OverDrive Support Pages.

Date and Time Settings

Another important aspect of using this device is that users should ensure that they have set the proper time zone.   When it is not set correctly, you may have problems opening ebooks since your device may report that new items have already expired.

To change the date and time:

• Tap the Home button
• Tap the All Apps
• Tap Settings
• Scroll down and tap Date & time
• Tap Set date
• Enter the current month, date, and year
• Tap Set to save your settings.
• Tap Select time zone
• Select the time zone youʼre currently in (GMT-5:00 EST)
• Tap Set time

Managing your eBook holds

Is your eBook or eAudiobook not available? Place it on hold.

Sometimes it is case that you find no available titles of the digital materials you seek. Due to publisher’s restrictions, the library may lend out only a limited number of copies of digital materials, just as if they were print materials.

However, like printed materials, you may place items ‘on hold’ so that you may check them out once they become available.

How do I place items on hold?

When viewing a particular item in Overdrive you will see how many available copies exist.  When 0 copies are available you’ll also see how many patrons are currently on the waiting list.

 

Use the ‘Place a Hold’ button to add your name to the waiting list.  You’ll be prompted to log in with your library card number and pin if you haven’t already. You’ll also be asked to confirm your email address.

What happens when I place an item on hold?

A title you place on hold will be reserved for you to check out once it becomes available. You can place up to 10 titles on hold at a time. When the title is available for you, we will email you instructions on checking the item out.

The item will be held for you for 4 days after we email you.

How can I view my holds?

Log in to the Overdrive home page  http://toronto.lib.overdrive.com
 
Click the Account tab – if you aren’t logged in already, you’ll be prompted to log in with your library card number and pin.  
 
Click the 'My Holds' link. 

The titles that you have currently placed on hold are displayed.

How can I check out my holds?

If you have received a notification that your holds that are available they will have an 'Add to Cart' option at the very right of them, while unavailable holds will have the 'Remove | Edit' options. Select 'Add to cart'

You will be directed to your cart, and your hold will no longer be in the Holds section but will be transferred to your cart.   Items in your cart have a 30 minute time limit to check out.

  

 Click 'Proceed to checkout', then select a loan option from the pull-down menu: 7, 14, or 21 days.  When you have selected your loan period, click  'Confirm Check Out'.

A download link appears allowing you to download it to your computer. There is no need to immediately download it.  The item is kept in your Bookshelf under the 'Account' section, and will be available for download during the lending period.

How can I cancel my holds?

When you are viewing your Holds in the Account section, items still unavailable will have a ‘Remove| Edit’ link next to them.  Select ‘Remove’ to cancel the hold on the item.