SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY LIBRARY
Now offers Downloadable E-Books, Audiobooks and Videos
Through the OverDrive Platform

Some of the questions in the FAQ below may be answered in the OverDrive Help guides, but as these are the top questions we see from our customers, we’ve created this Frequently Asked Questions section for San Bernardino County Library.

Basic Questions

FAQ

1. I'm a first-time user; how do I get started borrowing E-books and audiobooks?
2. I've heard that your OverDrive e-books can now be downloaded to a Kindle - how does that work?
3. I have a Nook - now what?
4. I have an E-Reader that is not Kindle or Nook - now what?
5. I want to access OverDrive on my mobile device - how do I do that?
6. How do I download audiobooks to my personal media player (MP3 player)?
7. I'm on the waiting list for an item, but my email address has changed - what can I do?
8. I've been waiting for my hold for a long time. How much longer will it be?
9. I can't sign-in; why not?
10. I've tried to download an item and it keeps failing. Now I'm getting a message that I've used up my download attempts. What can I do to get my title?

GETTING STARTED

1. To get started borrowing e-books, e-audiobooks, and videos, visit http://sbcldigital.lib.overdrive.com. Have your library card handy to sign-in. Your PIN is the last 4 digits of the phone number on file for your library account. Click on Sign-In, located to the right of the page, just under the banner. Select San Bernardino County Library in the Library drop-down menu, enter your library card number and PIN.


2. Once you've signed in, you'll see the full catalog of titles available for download by San Bernardino County Library customers.


3. You can browse by audio, e-book, or video, or search with specific criteria, such as title or author. Your results will include items that are available, as well as items for which you can join a waitlist. You can also limit your search to only show items that are available for immediate download.


4. Once you find an item you want, you can see the formats in which it is offered. E-books may show EPUB, PDF, or Kindle formats. Audiobooks may show MP3 or WMA formats. Videos are only available as WMV. Click on Add to Cart or Place a Hold next to the format you want. Refer to the guidelines for your particular device to determine the compatible formats.


5. Once you've added an item to your cart you can either Continue Browsing or Proceed to Checkout. Items added to your cart will remain for 30 minutes before being automatically removed. When checking out you'll be able to set your lending period to either 7 or 14 days for e-books and e-audio; videos can be borrowed for 3 or 5 days. Items cannot be renewed.


6. Make sure you have the required software on your PC. If this is your first time accessing OverDrive you will need to start by installing free software that is offered on the OverDrive website along the right-hand side, under "Required Software." For audiobooks and videos you will need to install the OverDrive Media Console and for e-books (except Kindle format) you will need to install Adobe Digital Editions.


7. Once you have OverDrive Media Console and/or Adobe Digital Editions installed, you are ready to download your checked-out item(s). Click on Download.

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Your Kindle and OverDrive

You can borrow Kindle books from our OverDrive site and, with the click of a button, have them delivered to your Kindle device or free reading app.

1. Find a book to download
   • Go to http://iedigital.lib.overdrive.com
   • Log in with your San Bernardino County Library card, browse and find an eBook you want to borrow.
   • Click 'Add to Cart', then 'Proceed to Checkout'.
   • Choose a lending period (7 or 14 days) and check it out.
   • Click on 'Get for Kindle'.
   • You will be directed to Amazon.com to redeem your public library loan.
     • You may be required to login to your Amazon.com account (or create a new account) if you're not already logged in.
   • Choose to read the book on your Kindle, free reading app, or Kindle Cloud Reader.
   • Click 'Get Library Book'.
2. Download your book
   • For wireless delivery to your Kindle make sure it is connected to Wi-Fi.
     • It will not download via a 3G connection.
   • Wait a few seconds.
   • Your book will be downloaded to your Kindle and should appear at the top of your list of books.
     • You may have to go to 'Settings' then 'Sync & Check for Items' for the book to download.
   • You're ready to read!
3. Kindle Apps
   Many mobile devices (smartphones, tablet computers) have free Kindle apps you can use to download and read Kindle books. Downloading a library eBook to these apps is outlined below:
   
   • Make sure you are connected to Wi-Fi.
   • Open the Kindle app on your device.
   • Find the 'Archived Items' option in the app.
   • Find the book in the alphabetical list.
   • Choose to download the book.
   • Wait a few seconds.
   • The book will be available on the Home screen.
   • You are ready to read.
4. Returning a library eBook
   • Log in to your Amazon account and navigate to 'Manage Your Kindle'.
   • Find the book you would like to return in the list of books.
   • Move the cursor of your mouse over the 'Actions' button.
   • Choose 'Return this book' from the list of options.

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Your Nook and OverDrive

Before you get started, you need to create a free account with Adobe. Go to http://adobe.ly/adobeaccount to sign up with Adobe. Click 'Create an Adobe Account' and fill in the boxes marked with a red asterisk (*). Note your password. Choose something you can easily remember.

1. Download Adobe Digital Editions
   • This is the software you will use to manage all of the eBooks you check out. You must have this installed ON YOUR COMPUTER (not a library computer). You can't download OverDrive e-Books directly to your Nook.
   • Visit http://adobe.ly/deditions and follow the instructions for downloading and installing the latest version of Adobe Digital Editions.
   • Once Adobe Digital Editions is installed you will be asked to authorize your computer. This is where you will use the Adobe ID you created above. Use that same email address and password to authorize your computer.
   • Download any other software required for your device (ex. Sony Reader requires Reader Library software).
2. Find a book to download
   • Go to http://sbcldigital.lib.overdrive.com
   • Sign in with your San Bernardino County Library card.
   • Browse and find an eBook you want.
   • Click 'Add to Cart', then 'Proceed to Checkout'.
   • Choose a lending period (7 or 14 days) and check it out.
   • Download the book to your computer.
     • If prompted, choose to open the file.
     • Adobe Digital Editions will open automatically when the book is done downloading.
3. Transfer the book to your Nook
   • Connect your Nook to your computer.
   • A link for your Nook is displayed under 'Bookshelves’ in Adobe Editions.
     (Whenever you use a new device with OverDrive, you will be prompted to 'authorize' it. If prompted, follow the instructions on your screen, using the Adobe ID created above.)
   • Click on the eBook you want to transfer.
   • Drag and drop the eBook to the link for your Nook under 'Bookshelves'.
     • The eBook is transferred to your Nook.
   • Disconnect your Nook.
   • Your eBook will not show up where your B&N books are stored. Look for it in 'My Documents' or 'My Files'.

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Your eReader and OverDrive

Before you get started, you need to create a free account with Adobe. Go to http://adobe.ly/adobeaccount to sign up with Adobe. Click 'Create an Adobe Account' and fill in the boxes marked with a red asterisk (*). Note your password. Choose something you can easily remember.

1. Download Adobe Digital Editions
   • This is the software you will use to manage all of the eBooks you check out. You must have this installed ON YOUR COMPUTER (not a library computer). You can't download OverDrive e-Books directly to your Nook.
   • Visit http://adobe.ly/deditions and follow the instructions for downloading and installing the latest version of Adobe Digital Editions.
   • Once Adobe Digital Editions is installed you will be asked to authorize your computer. This is where you will use the Adobe ID you created above. Use that same email address and password to authorize your computer.
   • Download any other software required for your device (ex. Sony Reader requires Reader Library software).
2. Find a book to download
   • Go to http://sbcldigital.lib.overdrive.com
   • Sign in with your San Bernardino County Library card.
   • Browse and find an eBook you want.
   • Click 'Add to Cart', then 'Proceed to Checkout'.
   • Choose a lending period (7 or 14 days) and check it out.
   • Download the book to your computer.
     • If prompted, choose to open the file.
     • Adobe Digital Editions (or Sony Reader Library) will open automatically when the book is done downloading.
3. Transfer the book to your eReader
   • Connect your eReader to your computer.
   • A link for your eReader is displayed under 'Bookshelves’ in Adobe Editions.
     (Whenever you use a new device with OverDrive, you will be prompted to 'authorize' it. If prompted, follow the instructions on your screen, using the Adobe ID created above.)
   • Click on the eBook you want to transfer.
   • Drag and drop the eBook to the link for your Nook under 'Bookshelves'.
     • The eBook is transferred to your eReader.
   • Disconnect your eReader.

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OverDrive on Your Mobile Device

With the OverDrive Media Console App, you can download ePub eBooks and .mp3 eAudiobooks directly to most Android, BlackBerry, iPhone/iPad/iPod touch and Windows Phone 7 mobile devices. You can find a complete list of compatible devices at http://www.overdrive.com/drc.

Before you get started you need to create a free account with Adobe. Go here http://adobe.ly/adobeaccount to sign up with Adobe. Just fill in the boxes marked with a red asterisk (*).

1. Download OverDrive Media Console App
   • This is the app you will use to access our OverDrive library directly from your mobile device.
   • Search for 'OverDrive' in your app store or visit http://omc.overdrive.com, and select the platform for your mobile device. Some additional information will appear below. You will be able to click on a link to take you to the app market for your device. There are also QR codes shown that can be scanned by your device to go directly to the app.
   • Follow the instructions to download and install the App.
   • Authorize your device with the Adobe ID you created above, using the same email address and password.
2. Find our Library in the App
   • Open the App.
   • Find the 'Get Books' option.
     • It’s in a different location depending on your device. You may need to select it from your device menu.
   • Choose 'Add a Library' on the next screen.
     • The option may be 'Find a Website.'
   • Search for 'San Bernardino County' in the search box.
   • Choose to add us as a source by 'starring' the library.
   • By doing this, the App will remember that we are a library you use frequently.
   • When you go to 'Get Books' in the future you will not have to search for us.
   • Select the library to go to our OverDrive library.
     • It will open in your device’s internet browser.
3. Find a book to download
   • Open the App.
   • Go to 'Get Books'.
   • Select our library.
   • Your device’s internet browser will open to our OverDrive library.
   • Browse and find a book you want.
   • Click 'Add to Cart', then 'Proceed to Checkout'.
   • Check it out.
   • Download the book to your device.
   • The app will automatically open.

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Your Personal Media Player & OverDrive

With OverDrive Media Console you can transfer eAudiobooks from your computer to your MP3 player and/or some MP3 capable cell phones. For smart phones see our FAQ for Mobile Devices.

1. Download OverDrive Media Console
   • This is the software you will use to manage all of the eAudiobooks you check out from us. You must have this installed ON YOUR COMPUTER (not a library computer). You can’t download OverDrive eAudiobooks directly to your personal media player.
   • Visit http://omc.overdrive.com and follow the instructions for downloading and installing the latest version of the OverDrive Media Console.
   • If you are using a Windows computer, you may have to upgrade the Windows Media Player Security.
     • Go to Tools > Windows Media Player Security Upgrade and follow the prompts.
2. Find a book to download
   • Go to http://sbcldigital.lib.overdrive.com.
   • Browse and find an eAudiobook you want.
   • Click Add to Cart, then Proceed to Checkout.
   • Choose a lending period (7 or 14 days) and check it out using your library card number.
   • Download the book to your computer.
     • If prompted, choose to open the file.
   • Your book will be divided into different parts. Select some or all of them to download.
   • You are ready to listen!
3. Transfer the book to your device
   • Connect your player to your computer.
   • Select the eAudiobook you want to transfer.
   • Click 'Transfer'.
   • Follow the prompts and select your device from the dropdown menu labeled ‘Player’ when given the chance.
   • Choose the parts you want to transfer.
   • Your eAudiobook will be transferred to your device.
   • Disconnect your device.
   • Note: if you are using an Apple device you will need to have iTunes open to transfer your eAudiobook. You will also have to select the 'Manually manage audio and video' option within iTunes the first time you transfer an eAudiobook to your device.

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I’m on the waiting list for an item, but my email address has changed - what can I do?

Go to http://sbcldigital.lib.overdrive.com. Sign-in with your library card. Click on the "My Account" button in the menu just beneath the banner. Click on "My Holds". You will see a list of titles that you have placed on your holds list. Click on Edit below each title and enter your new email address, then click on "Place a Hold". This does not put you at the back of the line. Your current place on the holds list will remain the same.

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I’ve been waiting for my hold for a long time. How much longer will it be?

If you would like to find out approximately how much longer you will be waiting to checkout a particular item, you can log-in into your OverDrive account. Click on "My Account", then "My Holds". Below each title on your list you will see a message letting you know your place in line, as well as the number of copies circulating. For example: "You are patron 5 out of 6 on the waiting list. Library copies owned: 1." Based on this information you can calculate that if the four people ahead of you check out the title for the maximum 14 day period, then it will be approx. 8 weeks until you receive your notification that the title is ready for you to checkout and download.

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I can’t sign-in; why not?

You may receive an error message when trying to log-in that begins: “We're sorry, but the specified library patron account information is not valid.” You will also see additional information that indicates the problem:

1. Details: (1) Privilege has expired - all San Bernardino County Library cards expire after 3 years so contact information can periodically be verified and updated if necessary. You may contact your closest branch, by phone or in person, during open hours and provide identifying information - staff will then extend your borrowing privileges for another 3 years and you'll be able to download items immediately. Or you may contact the library using the E-Help email, ehelp@lib.sbcounty.gov; provide your card number and identifying details that are associated with your account, such as name, address, and phone number. Someone will act on your request (normal business hours, M-F, 8-5) and contact you when your library card has been renewed and is ready for use.


2. Details: (1) User card marked LOST - at some point that card was declared lost and it is likely you were issued another card with a different number. Try to find your current card - if you cannot you will need to visit your closest San Bernardino County Library branch to get a replacement card.


3. Details: (1) User BLOCKED - there are charges exceeding $10.00 on your card - you will be unable to access OverDrive until enough of the balance is paid off to bring it under $10.00. Please visit your closest San Bernardino County Library branch.

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I’ve tried to download an item and it keeps failing. Now I’m getting a message that I’ve used up my download attempts.

Sometimes internet connectivity issues will prevent a download from completing successfully. Each item allows three download attempts. If you have tried twice with the download terminating, you should try waiting for a later time and attempt again. If the third attempt is unsuccessful and you receive the message that you have used up your download attempts, please contact ehelp@lib.sbcounty.gov. Include your library card number and the title and format of the item you are trying to download. We can reset your checkout to allow 3 more download attempts.

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If you experience any issues that are not covered in our FAQ, please view the OverDrive Help Files or contact our help desk at ehelp@lib.sbcounty.gov. In order to facilitate troubleshooting, please include the following information in your correspondence:

• Steps to reproduce the problem
• Exact text of any error message
• URL(s) of any error page(s)
• Library card number
• Title(s) of problem download(s)
• Make and model of mobile device
• Operating system (Mac® OS 10.6.2, Windows® 7, Windows Vista®, Windows XP, etc.)
• Internet browser and version

In some situations we may need to contact OverDrive Support and ask that they assist you further. They will require the information detailed above.
We are able to provide only minimal support for troubleshooting individual players and computers. There are too many different brands, models and operating systems for us to be experts on all. Overdrive may be able to help as a secondary resource, but they also are limited in the support they can provide. Your individual product website is the best place to look for troubleshooting that goes beyond our downloadable help sheets and OverDrive's help files. Many products also have user forums where users post their problems requesting and receiving help from other users of that specific product.

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