SYNC is Back for 2011!

Are you interested in downloading some FREE eAudiobooks this summer? Now you can, thanks to Audiobook Community's SYNC campaign.

The SYNC campaign, which is back for 2011,  is designed to get more young adults listening to audiobooks. From June 23 through August 17, two audiobooks will be available each week for download. One will be a current young adult title and the other is generally a classic. Each week both books will share a common theme. All audiobooks used in the SYNC campaign are in the MP3 format and will work with both PCs and Macs. They can be transferred to a wide array of mobile devices. 

Additionally, OverDrive is distributing all of the SYNC titles. To download titles, you will need to install the OverDrive Media Console. After you have downloaded your free titles from SYNC, be sure to check out other OverDrive downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks that are available from the Troy Public Library here.

In addition to free eAudiobooks, the SYNC campaign also features a discussion group on audiobookcommunity.com to discuss the books that are being offered.

For more on SYNC, including the release schedule for free eAudiobooks, go here, or text syncaya to 25827 to receive text alerts on when new eAudiobooks are available for download.

OverDrive Now Available for Windows Phone

OverDrive already has apps available for iOS, Android, and Blackberry. You can now add Windows Phone to that list. With OverDrive's recent release of their  OveDrive Media Console app for Windows Phone, there are now apps available for all major mobile operating systems.

The OverDrive Media Console app for Windows Phone offers the same features as other OverDrive apps for mobile devices, including:

• The ability to download EPUB-format eBooks and MP3-format eAudiobooks directly to their device
• The Get Library feature that allows you to easily find your local library that provides eBooks
• The ability to easily return downloaded items early

You can download the OverDrive Media Console app for Windows Phone here. 

For a look at how the app works, watch this video produced by OverDrive:

OverDrive Apps Upgrade to v2.3

OverDrive, a supplier of downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks to the Troy Public Library, has upgraded their OverDrive Media Console app for Android, BlackBerry, and Apple devices, including iPhones and iPads, to v2.3. This upgrade now allows users to return EPUB eBooks early and also makes the Adobe Digital Editions authorization process easier. 

If you already have these apps installed on your device, they should update automatically. If you are new to using OverDrive on your mobile device, you can download the mobile versions of OverDrive Media Console here.

Disney Digital Books Now Available Through OverDrive

Disney Digital Books are now available through OverDrive. This collection of over 650 titles includes books for a wide variety of ages that feature both classic and new Disney characters.

Disney Digital Books are also interactive. Some books will read the text to you. Others feature trivia games as you proceed through the title. All Disney Digital Books feature a built-in dictionary that will pronounce and give the definition of a word when clicked.

Disney Digital Books work a little differently than other eBooks offered through OverDrive. Unlike other OverDrive items, Disney Digital Books are not downloaded directly to your computer or transferred to a portable device such as an eReader. Instead, they are viewed from within your computer's web browser. After checking out a Disney Digital Book, visit your Digital Bookshelf in OverDrive and click the Launch button for the book that you wish to view. The Disney Digital Book will open in a new tab or browser window.



Click Launch to open a Disney Digital Book


Another difference with Disney Digital Books compared to other OverDrive items is that they are always available. You do not have to place holds on them; they can be checked out at any time and by multiple people at the same time. Please remember, though, that Disney Digital Book checkouts do count towards your 10-item OverDrive checkout limit. Also, remember that there is no way to return Disney Digital Books early.

Additionally, Disney Digital Books currently are only available for use on PCs and Mac computers. At this time they are not available for viewing on devices such as the iPad. For a complete list of Disney Digital Book technical requirements, please go here. Like all eResources provided by the Troy Library, you will need a valid Troy Library card to be able to access Disney Digital Books through OverDrive. To get started, go to troylibrary.info, click on the "Download eBooks, Audiobooks" link, and select OverDrive.

We hope that you like this new collection of titles available through OverDrive. Let us know your thoughts about Disney Digital Books by leaving a comment below.

OverDrive Updates Android & iPhone/iPad Apps

OverDrive, a supplier of downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks to the Troy Public Library, has released updates to their OverDrive Media Console apps for Android and Apple devices, including iPhones and iPads. The new updates include the following features:

OverDrive Media Console for Android (v2.2)

• Sepia display option for eBooks
• Screen-dimming override for eBooks
• Faster EPUB performance
• Sleep timer for audiobooks

OverDrive Media Console for iPhone/iPad (v2.2.1)

• Orientation lock for eBooks
• Night mode and sepia display option for eBooks
• Screen lock override for eBooks
• Improved range of font size settings
• In-app library “Website Finder”

If you already have these apps installed on your Android device or iPhone/iPad, be sure to check the app for these new updates. If you do not have them installed already, you can download OverDrive Media Console for Android through the Android Market or download the iPhone/iPad version of OverDrive Media Console through the iTunes App Store.

For more information about these new releases, see this post from the OverDrive Digital Library blog. 

Download EPUB eBooks Directly to Your BlackBerry

If you own a BlackBerry and use OverDrive, you can now download eBooks directly to your device. In addition to MP3 eAudiobooks, OverDrive's new Media Console for BlackBerry v2.1 app now supports direct downloading of EPUB eBooks. After downloading the app to your BlackBerry, use the "Get Books" feature within the app to browse and download eBooks. 

In order to use this app with your BlackBerry, you must have BlackBerry OS 4.5 or newer for non-touchscreen devices or BlackBerry OS 4.7 or newer for touchscreen devices. You can download the app directly here.

OverDrive Optimizes Support for iPads

OverDrive, a content provider of eBooks and eAudiobooks to the Troy Public Library, has upgraded its OverDrive Media Console app for iPhone and iPad to v2.2. The biggest new feature included is full iPad support. While previous versions of the app worked for iPad, this new version is optimized to take advantage of the bigger iPad screen. Additionally, downloaded content can be displayed in either portrait or landscape orientation.

To use this new upgrade, your device must be running iOS v4.0 or above. You can download OverDrive Media Console for iPhone/iPad v2.2 directly here.

OverDrive Shatters Records

If you have had problems accessing our OverDrive site since Christmas, you are not the only one. According to OverDrive's Digital Library blog, checkouts and new user registrations hit all time highs in the period leading up to and after the Christmas holiday. Additionally, for the first time ever for Overdrive, eBooks out-circulated eAudiobooks. 

Statistics for the Troy Public Library have also followed that trend. In December 2010 we have had our highest recorded monthly circulation of OverDrive titles. We have also seen our biggest increase in new patron registrations. In December 2010 we have seen a 75% increase in the amount of eBook checkouts compared to December 2009. Also, the Technology Center has been busy answering questions about a variety of eReading platforms, including the Nook Color, Kobo Reader, Pandigital Novel, Android smartphones, and more.

If you haven't tried OverDrive, now is a perfect time. You can find a list of eBook compatible devices here and eAudiobook compatible devices here. Like all eResources provided by the Troy Library, you will need a valid Troy Library card to be able to use OverDrive. To get started, go to troylibrary.info, click on the "Download eBooks, Audiobooks" link, and select OverDrive.

OverDrive App Updates to v2.0

OverDrive, the digital catalog provider of the Troy Public Library, has updated its Android and iPhone apps to v2.0. What does this mean to you?

Here is what you can expect in the latest release:

• EPUB eBook support
• Bug Fixes
• An all new "Get Books" feature

The biggest feature is the new EPUB ebook support. Now, you can now read EPUB eBooks on your Android device (and tablets), as well as your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad. This is in addition to the already available MP3 audiobook support that the app previously provided.

To initially download the books on to your device, you can take advantage of the new "Get Books" feature as well. After finding your library and adding to the app (done by searching), you will be able to quickly click on your library from within the app, and be taken to a mobile friendly version of the OverDrive catalog. From there, you can search, download, and view/listen to the books through the OverDrive application.

Finally, the OverDrive team has also noted the following:

...an optimized version for iPad—with improved resolution and additional features—is coming soon, along with apps for BlackBerry and other mobile devices.

You can find the Android version of the app by searching for "Overdrive" in the Android Market or by scanning the QR code provided below. To download the iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad version, search for "Overdrive" in the App Store or click on this link. 

eBooks Account for 9% of 2010 Book Sales

According to a recent press release from the Association of American Publishers, year to date eBook sales account for 9% of book sales in the U.S. for 2010. This is a dramatic increase over last year. In 2009, eBooks sales only accounted for 3.31% of total book sales.

This is interesting news, and reflects what we have seen at the Library. Checkouts of our downloadable eBooks available from OverDrive have increased over 50% this year. With the continued launch of new eBook readers, price reductions on other popular eReaders, and the availability of eReaders at more retailers, eBook sales and downloads will undoubtedly continue to increase. 

If you have yet to try eBooks, now is the perfect time. The Library offers two different eBook services, NetLibrary and OverDrive. With NetLibrary, eBooks are viewed on screen within your web browser. With OverDrive, eBooks are downloaded directly to your computer and can be transferred to a variety of devices. To access Troy Library's eBooks, click here.

Download Free eAudiobooks with SYNC

Are you interested in downloading some free eAudiobooks this summer? Now you can, thanks to Audiobook Community's SYNC campaign.

The SYNC campaign is designed to get more young adults listening to audiobooks. From July 1 through September 1, two audiobooks will be available each week for download. One will be a best seller and the other is generally a classic. Each week both books will share a common theme. All audiobooks used in the SYNC campaign are in the MP3 format and will work with both PCs and Macs. They can be transferred to a wide array of mobile devices.

Additionally, OverDrive is distributing all of the SYNC titles. To download titles, you will need to install the OverDrive Media Console. After you have downloaded your free titles from SYNC, be sure to check out other OverDrive downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks that are available from the Troy Public Library here.

For more on SYNC, including the release schedule for free eAudiobooks, go here.

Win a Sony Reader from OverDrive!

Do you check out downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks through OverDrive, available from the Troy Public Library? If so, you have a chance to win a Sony Reader! All you need to do is take a short survey about your OverDrive use. The survey is available by going here, and then clicking on the "We want your feedback!" link along the right-hand side. the survey takes only 5 minutes to complete.

If you haven't tried downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks before, now is the perfect time. For more information about downloadable material available from the Troy Public Library, visit here.

OverDrive App for iPhone Available Now

OverDrive, one of the vendors that supplies downloadable audiobooks for the Troy Public Library, has released an eagerly awaited app that allows OverDrive MP3 format audiobooks to be directly downloaded to the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad. You can download the iPhone app through the Apple App Store.

With the addition of the iPhone app, OverDrive MP3 audiobooks are now available for almost all major smartphones, including BlackBerry devices, Android, and Windows Mobile devices. Go here to download the version of OverDrive Media Console for your device. OverDrive has also released software updates for some other mobile devices, including v1.0 of OverDrive Media Console for BlackBerry. You can download this update here.

For more information about these new releases, see this press release and this blog post.

Read an E-Book Week: OverDrive

Today we continue celebrating Read an E-Book Week by profiling OverDrive, a vendor that supplies ebooks to the Troy Public Library.

Like NetLibrary, OverDrive features a variety of ebooks that cover many different subjects. It includes many recent bestsellers such as Fantasy in Death by J.D. Robb, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, and Game Change by John Heilemann. OverDrive offers ebooks in EPUB, Adobe PDF, and Mobipocket format. Ebooks in OverDrive are not always available. Instead, they function like physical books in a library. If someone already has an ebook checked out that you wish to view, you must place that ebook on hold. When it is available, you will get an email notifying you that it is ready to be checked out.

Additionally, OverDrive ebooks are not viewable directly within your browser. In order to view them, they must be checked out and downloaded to your computer. After checking out an OverDrive ebook, be sure to download and install the appropriate software so that you can view the ebook. This software is free, and a download link is provided when you check out an ebook. When you have the correct software installed, you can then download and read the ebook on your computer.

An advantage of OverDrive ebooks is that many of them can be transferred to eReaders such as the Barnes and Noble nook and Sony Readers. While this process is relatively straightforward, each device does have different software requirements. If you are having problems, OverDrive does have an extensive help menu to answer questions you may have.

When searching for an ebook in OverDrive, the basic search allows you to search by title or creator. If you want to search by a specific ebook format, you will need to use the advanced search feature. Advanced search also lets you search by language, publisher, subject, and more. It also features a check box that lets you limit your search to items that have copies that are available to be checked out. This is helpful if you want to check out an ebook immediately and don’t want to have to put an item on hold.

Like all eResources provided by the Troy Library, you will need a valid Troy Library card to be able to use OverDrive. To get started, go to troylibrary.info, click on the "Downloadable Audiobooks, Video" link, and select OverDrive.

Additionally, OverDrive is currently running a contest to help celebrate Read an E-Book week. Just go here, read the post, and leave a comment about the OverDrive ebook you are currently reading and where you downloaded it from. The winner will receive various goodies from OverDrive. Good luck!

A Look at nook

Here at The Tech Desk, we have been following the rise in popularity of ebook readers. Until recently, we have not had any hands-on experience with these devices. Because we have seen an increase in the number of questions about them, I decided to purchase one to better understand the technology involved and to better help patrons who have questions regarding them. After considering the pros and cons of the different ereaders available, I decided to purchase the nook from Barnes and Noble.

The nook features 2 display screens. For viewing ebooks, the nook features a 6” diagonal E-Ink screen that displays content in 16 shades of gray. It also features a smaller color LCD touch screen at the bottom of the device which is used to navigate through the nook’s contents. The nook supports many popular file formats, including EPUB, PDF, MP3, JPG, and GIF. It also supports DRM protected content, such as ebooks checked out through OverDrive, one of the Troy Library's suppliers of downloadable content.

Like the Kindle and the Sony Reader Daily Edition, the nook features free wireless connectivity so that you can purchase ebooks directly from the Barnes and Nobel website, and have them directly loaded into the ereader without having to sync with a computer. The nook uses AT&T’s 3G network. Firmware updates are also sent wirelessly.

Setting up the device was easy. The nook comes with a Micro-USB cable and also an AC adapter. After taking it out of its package I plugged it into a wall outlet. After the device started up, it walked me through a brief tutorial on how to use it. When plugged into a wall outlet it is available for use, so while it was charging I was able to access the Barnes and Noble eBook store and purchase an ebook. Within a minute I was reading a new ebook while my nook was finishing its initial charge.

Having finished reading a 400 page novel on the nook, I can say that reading is a pleasure. There are 3 font styles available, along with 5 different font sizes. Like most current ebook readers, the nook is not backlit so you need to have light in order to read. Additionally, it does take a second for text to refresh when you turn a page; however, recent firmware updates have reduced the time this takes.

The biggest drawback with the nook is that the main reading screen is not a touch screen. For example, if you need to look up a word (the nook comes with a copy of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary), you have to use arrows displayed on the touch screen to highlight the word. This process would be much easier if the main display screen was a touch screen.

As mentioned above, the nook is compatible with OverDrive. I was able to go to the Troy Library's website, and checkout and download a title. Transferring ebooks downloaded from OverDrive to the nook was straightforward. OverDrive content on the nook is DRM protected, and you will not be able to access it on your nook after the checkout time expires.

I have had some small problems with my nook. It has a tendency to freeze at times, especially when turning the wireless on and off. This is easily remedied by turning the device off and on again. It also seems that battery life does not last as long as indicated on the Barnes and Noble site. Again, this is a minor complaint.

Overall, I believe the nook is a great ereader, especially for someone who likes immediate gratification of being able to purchase books wirelessly and also wants to be able to download ebooks from a library.

BlackBerry Audiobook App Available for OverDrive

Downloadable audiobook vendor OverDrive has released an app available for BlackBerry smartphone users. OverDrive Media Console for BlackBerry is the latest Media Console release for smartphones and mobile devices, and follows similar releases for both the Windows Mobile and Android platforms.

While it is still only a beta release, you can download the OverDrive app here. At this time the only format that can be downloaded with this app are MP3 audiobooks.

Read more about the OverDrive Media Console for BlackBerry.

OverDrive Continues to Set Records

On February 2, OverDrive -- the vendor that provides downloadable audio and ebooks to the Troy Library -- celebrated another milestone: 20 million digital titles have been checked out using its service since it began in 2004. In January 2010 alone, over 1 million items were checked out. This news already follows the tremendous growth by OverDrive in 2009.

At the Library, we have also experienced increased use of OverDrive. OverDrive checkouts increased 68% in 2009 compared to 2008. In January 2010, we recorded our largest monthly number of checkouts. We have seen an increase in patron questions about transferring content from OverDrive to iPods, MP3 players, and eReaders.

Have you downloaded eBooks and eAudiobooks yet? If not, now is there perfect time! To try OverDrive, you will need to have a valid Troy Public Library card. Visit the Library homepage and click on the Downloadable Audiobooks, Video link. From there, select OverDrive.

OverDrive Sets Records in 2009

OverDrive, one of suppliers of downloadable ebooks, eaudiobooks, and video to the Troy Public Library, has announced that 2009 was another record-setting year. This follows tremendous growth in 2008, and again demonstrates the growing popularity of downloadable, on-demand, items for portable devices.

Highlights include:

• 8.7 million digital titles checked out (63% increase over 2008)


• 70% increase in audiobook checkouts over 2008, while ebook checkouts increased by 53%
  


• The OverDrive digital catalog for libraries grew to 300,000 titles with the addition of 100,000 ebooks, 27,000 audiobooks, and 4,000 music and video titles

Additionally, OverDrive increased support for a variety of devices in 2009. The past year saw the introduction of iPod compatibility for WMA format eAudiobooks, the addition of the EPUB format, and the ability to download items directly to mobile devices running Windows Mobile or Android.

To view Troy Library's OverDrive collection, go to the Library's home page and click on the Downloadable Audiobooks, Video link under the Library Links. Then click on OverDrive.

OverDrive Releases Android Audiobook App

Downloadable audiobook vendor OverDrive has released an app available for mobile devices using the Android OS. OverDrive Media Console for Android follows the release of OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile and demonstrates the company's commitment to delivering content directly to mobile devices.

While it is still only a beta release, you can download the OverDrive app here. At this time the only format that can be downloaded with this app are MP3 audiobooks.

Did you purchase or receive a new Motorola Droid or an HTC Droid Eris this holiday season? If so, download OverDrive's Android app and let us know what you think.

Read more about the OverDrive Media Console for Android.

OverDrive Media Console Now Available for Windows Mobile

Do you like OverDrive audiobooks, available from the Troy Public Library, but wish that you could download them directly to your mobile device? Now you can, if you own a device using Windows Mobile.

OverDrive has released a version of its Media Console for Windows Mobile devices. Using this version of the Console, a user can download OverDrive audiobooks and video wirelessly directly to her or his device. In addition, according to the company press release, this application "sets the stage for future support on additional platforms including iPhone(TM) and BlackBerry®." You can download the OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile here. Go here to view OverDrive items available from the Troy Library.

If you have a Windows Mobile device, give it a try and let us know what you think!