Downloadable Audiobooks

Before you begin:

1. Establish a NetLibrary account by following the instructions here. If you already have a NetLibrary account, you may login now using the icon below.

2. Confirm that you have Windows Media Player (WMP) version 9 or higher installed on your computer.

To determine the version of Windows Media Player installed on your computer:

a. Launch Windows Media Player.

b. There are several ways you can determine which version of Windows Media Player you have installed. In some versions, pressing the Alt key anywhere on the Windows Media Player window causes the standard menu bar to display. Then click on Help and About Windows Media Player. Or, maximize the player in order to see the menu bar that contains the word Help, then click on Help and About. In some versions, you can see the menu options by right clicking on the Windows Media Player icon in the upper left corner of the player.

c. Click “Help” and then click “About Windows Media Player”.

d. The Windows Media Player license information will be displayed in a message box on your computer screen. Versions 9, 10 and 11 were current when this how-to document was written.

e. Click OK to close this window.

3. Install your Personal Audio Device (PAD) software on your computer. (Software is included with the purchase of a Personal Audio Device.)

Step 1 – Log into Your NetLibrary Account

1. From Internet Explorer, log into the Netlibrary website:

2. Type in the NetLibrary username and password you chose when you registered.

Step 2 – Find the Book You Want to Download:

You can conduct a basic search by full text, keyword, title, author or subject. An advanced search feature is also available. You can browse all titles by clicking on "Browse by subject" at the right side of the page.

Step 3 – Download the Book and Save it to Your Computer:

1. Upon locating the eAudiobook of interest to you, click ‘Download this eAudiobook’.

2. The Download this eAudiobook screen will appear with three selectable options:

· Checkout and Download CD Quality

· Checkout and Download Radio Quality

· Checkout (No Download, Only license to play file)

3. Click the option ‘Checkout and Download CD Quality’. Although this option takes longer to download, it is the version required to transfer a book to a Personal Audio Device.

4. If you did not previously log into NetLibrary, you will be prompted to login.

5. If you have virus protection or other protective software installed on your computer, a message bar will appear under your Web browser’s address bar that states “To help protect your security, Internet Explorer blocked this site from downloading files to your computer. Click here for options….” Upon clicking this message bar, the system will return a menu. From the menu, select the “Download File” option.

If you do not have protective software, a ‘File Download’ box will immediately appear that will prompt you to open or save the file.

6. From the ‘File Download’ box, select to “Save” the file. The system will return a ‘Save As’ box that will prompt you to select the folder location on your computer in which you wish to save your eAudiobook file.

Select the folder in which you wish to save your eAudiobook file and make note of the location of the file. (We recommend saving it the eAudiobook file to your Desktop to make it easier to later locate.)

As a matter of note, the filename is the name of the eAudiobook.

The download process will begin and the system will display a download message box on your computer screen denoting the status of the download. (Please remember that many factors may impact the speed with which the file is downloaded to your computer. Do not be alarmed if the ‘Estimated time left’ reference fluctuates.)

Step 4 – Open the Book Using Windows Media Player

1. Make certain that the volume on your computer speaker(s) is set to an audible level.

2. When the download is complete, a “Download Complete” message window will appear on your computer screen. Click “Open” on the Download Complete window. Or, find the file you downloaded and double click on it to cause Windows Media Player to open and play the file.

3. The Windows Media Player (WMP) will be launched on your computer. The Windows Media Player will certify the license that is attached to your eAudiobook. On some computers, you will be prompted to log in to Netlibrary again to retrieve the license.

4. Upon certifying the license, the book will begin to play.

5. If Windows Media Player does not open, please access your Windows Media Player from the Windows Start Menu.

If the installed version of Windows Media Player is version 9, select the ‘Tools’ menu, and click on ‘Options’.

Click the ‘File Types’ tab and place checkmarks in the following boxes:

Windows Media File (asf) and Windows Media Audio file (wma).

Select “Apply”, then “OK” and try to re-open the downloaded eAudiobook.

If the installed version of Windows Media Player is version 10 or 11, select the ‘Library’ menu tab and click on “More Options…” Select the ‘File Types’ tab and place checkmarks in the following boxes:

Windows Media File (asf) and Windows Media Audio file (wma).

Select “Apply”, then “OK” and try to re-open the downloaded eAudiobook by finding and double-clicking on the downloaded file.

Step 5 – Plug your Personal Audio Device into Your Computer

1. A cable that is used to interface your Personal Audio Device to your computer should have been included with the purchase of your device along with instructions on how to interface your device to a computer. Using a USB port on your computer, connect the USB end of the cable to your computer and connect the Cable Dock Connector end to your Personal Audio Device.

Turn on your Personal Audio Device.

2. Your computer’s sound card will produce a ‘ding’ tone when the Personal Audio Device is successfully connected to your computer.

If your computer does not have an installed sound card, you should see some other indication on your computer screen that a devise has been detected by your computer.

Step 6 – Put the Item in Your Windows Media Player Sync List and Synchronize

1. Click the 'Media Library' menu item on the left of Windows Media Player 9, or the ‘Library’ menu tab in Windows Media Player v. 10 or 11.

2. The book you downloaded should be listed under “Music”. If the book you downloaded is not listed, minimize the Windows Media Player screen and locate the icon for your downloaded book on your computer Desktop.

Click on the icon for your downloaded eAudiobook once and while holding down the left mouse button, drag the icon over to the Windows Media Player button in the task bar without releasing your mouse button. After a moment, the Windows Media Player window will open allowing you to drop the icon for your downloaded book inside the window.

The eAudiobook you downloaded should now appear in the “Music” list.

3. Click on the blue left arrow located in the upper right corner of Windows Media Player.

This will display a pane on the right-hand side of the Windows Media Player screen that includes a reference to a Playlist.

4. Click on the ‘Sync’ menu tab in Windows Media Player. A ‘Connect to a device’ icon will appear in the Sync List pane.

5. Drag the downloaded book icon in your ‘Music’ list to the Sync List Pane. The title of the eAudiobook you downloaded should now appear in the Sync List Pane.

6. Click the ‘Start Sync’ button located on the bottom of the Sync List Pane.

Windows Media Player will display a ‘Synchronizing’ message which will change to ‘Synchronization Complete’ when the eAudiobook has been successfully transferred to your Personal Audio Device.

Step 7 – Unplug Your Personal Audio Device and Listen!

1. When the synchronization to your Personal Audio Device has finished, disconnect it from the USB port on your computer.

2. Disconnect the USB cable from your Personal Audio Device.

3. Power On your Personal Audio Device.

4. Your eAudiobook will be listed on your Personal Audio Device as a Song.

5. Follow the instructions for your Personal Audio Device to listen to music.

Removing Files from Your Personal Audio Device

eAudiobooks are checked out for three weeks and will then stop functioning. eAudiobooks may be renewed for an additional 21 days of access from the date of renewal. You cannot check an eAudiobook back into NetLibrary. Subsequent to the initial three weeks and optional 21 days, you will need to remove the eAudiobook from your computer and Personal Audio Device as follows:

1. Locate the eAudiobook on your computer and delete it.

2. Connect your Personal Audio Device to your computer.

3. From the Windows Start Menu or Desktop, click on “My Computer”.

4. Locate the icon representative of your Personal Audio Device and double-click it.

5. Delete the eAudiobook and respond “Yes” to any confirmation messages.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I download eAudiobooks? Any computer or device with an Internet connection and a web browser can be used to download eAudiobooks.

How do I listen to eAudiobooks? Use your media player software to locate and play file you downloaded. You can listen to the eAudiobook as it downloads, but it is recommended that you down load the entire file first. You can upload the eAudiobook to a suitable portable listening device.

What do I need to listen to eAudiobooks? On your computer you need software to play the file:

You can upload and listen to eAudiobooks on portable devices such as MP3 players, PDAs and even some smartphones. Your device must support protected Windows Media Audio (wma) files and have enough free space to store the eAudiobook (typically 145 Mb for a 10 hour book). Your device should have at a minimum a pause/resume function, and it is better to have a bookmarking feature. Fast forwarding to your spot hours into a book is not practical. For more on supported players see: List of Supported Portable Devices

What is the checkout period for eAudiobooks? eAudiobooks come with a license that is good for 21 days. You can renew any eAudiobook once for an additional 21 days from your NetLibrary account without downloading the file again.

After the 21 days, the license expires and the file will no longer play. The file remains on your computer/device, so you should manually delete the file when you are through listening to it, to save space.

How many eAudiobooks can I have checked out at once? You may have up to 10 eAudiobooks checked out at one time. You cannot return eAudiobooks early, but must wait until 21 days pass.

What is the difference in CD and Radio quality? When you start a download, you are asked to select CD or Radio quality. CD quality files sound better but are much larger and thus take longer to download. Most portable listening devices won't play files of lower than CD quality (32 kbps sampling rate). Select CD quality if you have a broadband Internet connection, or intend to upload the file to a portable device. Select Radio quality if you have a dialup connection and intend to listen on a computer.

Can I burn an eAudiobook to a CD and play it? No. Files are encrypted so they will not play from a CD.

Can I play eAudiobooks on a Mac or iPod? No. Encrypted Windows Media Audio will not play on a Mac or iPod. There are no vendors offering downloadable audiobooks to libraries using Apple's digital rights management format.

I am having trouble signing on! Your computer may be blocking the message containing the address of the page you are coming from. This could be done from anonymous browsing software, firewall (e.g. Norton Personal Firewall), or browser settings (referrer loging in Opera). You must either disable this software temporarily while you login, or reconfigure it. To reconfigure, check your software's help or support for HTTP_REFERER, referer or referrer and set it so this setting is turned off or disabled for the Library's site.

If this doesn't work, please contact us at info@cefls.org for further assistance.

Do I need any software on my computer to listen to audiobooks? Audiobooks can be downloaded or played on any personal computer or portable listening device that supports Microsoft Windows Media Player v9 and above.

Why doesn't the audiobook download, even though I get an acquiring license message? If you have an older Windows Media Player version the download appears to be working. Windows Media Player shows "acquiring license," but eventually you get a message that you don't have a license to play the audiobook. You need to download a newer version of Windows Media Player.

Can I renew audiobooks without downloading the file a second time? Yes. Audiobooks can be renewed at any point by logging into your account. A renewal provides you with an additional 21 days of access from the date of renewal.

What does "You need a license" mean? You may have downloaded a new version of Windows Media Player and need to resynch with the portable listening devices. Contact your computer or portable listening device manufacturer for specific information.

Why won't the audiobook play on my portable listening device? It played just fine yesterday. The checkout period for the audiobook may have expired. Login to the NetLibrary web site, and click on the My Checked Out items link in the upper right-hand navigation, to see if the Audiobook checkout period has expired.

Do I need to return audiobooks when the checkout period expires? No. The license for downloaded audiobooks automatically expires after 21 days. You will not be able to play the audiobook, even though the file remains on your personal computer and portable listening device. You need to manually delete the file from your personal computer and portable listening device.

Do I have to wait for the file to download before I can listen to an audiobook? No. You don't have to wait for the file to download before you can listen to the audiobook. Once you select a download option, you are prompted to Open or Save the Audiobook file.

Can I download audiobooks to public computers in my library? Yes and no. NetLibrary strongly advises patrons not to download audiobooks to a public computer and some libraries do not provide the necessary equipment to then transfer the Audiobook file to your portable listening device. You may not be able to copy the Audiobook file to a portable listening device from a public computer.

Are audiobook files automatically removed from my computer when the checkout period expires? No. You need to manually delete the audiobook file from your personal computer and portable listening device. However, if you want to renew the audiobook, click on the file to automatically open the NetLibrary web site (if your computer is online). You can login to your account and renew the checkout.

How long does it take to download a NetLibrary audiobook? Download time depends on the size of the audio file and the speed of your Internet connection. See Audiobook Estimated Download Times.

How do I listen to an audiobook in the car? You will need a radio transmitter or other device adapter that works with your portable listening device and car stereo. Contact your device manufacturer for specific requirements.

How do I delete an audiobook from my personal computer or portable listening device? You can delete an audiobook file from your personal computer or portable listening device in the same manner as you delete other files. Contact your personal computer or portable listening device manufacturer for specific information.

I can't find "Author" or "Book Title" mentioned in my Media Player? How do I find, play, and transfer my audiobook file? Media players and portable listening devices may be music oriented, so you need to be creative when trying to find your audiobook file. Try looking under Album title for your Audiobook title or under Artist when looking for the Author. Sometimes the audiobook will be found in All Tracks, or Songs.

Or, sign up for an account to download free audiobooks by choosing your home library below.

1. Click on the link for your home library.
2. In the blank, type in the barcode number on your library card. It should be 14 digits long. If your library is not using barcoded cards, ask your librarian for the number on the "database card".
3. At the top right of the page you see next, click on the link "Create a free account".
4. Fill out the form, choosing a user name, password and security question, and providing an email address.

After completing these steps, you can sign in with your chosen user name and password at www.netlibrary.com and download audiobooks.