Downloadable Audiobooks
NOTICE: As of July 31, 2010, the Santa Barbara Public Library System will no longer subscribe to the NetLibrary Downloadable Audiobook Service. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. We will continue to expand our OverDrive Audiobook collection and encourage you to use that service.
The Santa Barbara Public Library System offers two services for downloading audiobooks onto your home computer or portable digital media player:
NetLibrary
- If you already have a NetLibrary account and are ready to search and download audiobooks click here
- If you need to create a NetLibrary account click here
- To learn more about audiobooks, setting up an account, and NetLibrary, please read below
OverDrive
- To search and begin downloading Overdrive titles click here
- To learn more about OverDrive, please read below
Downloadable audiobooks cheat sheet - the differences between NetLibrary & OverDrive at a glance.
What are Downloadable Audiobooks?
Downloadable audiobooks are digital versions of audiobooks that are available through the Internet.
You will never accrue late fees on downloaded audiobook titles. At the end of the loan period, titles will expire and be automatically 'returned' to the library. At this time, you can delete the expired file(s) from your machine.
To download audiobooks, you will need:
- A valid library card
- Access to the Internet
We provide over 3000 audiobook titles through two companies: NetLibrary and OverDrive. Audiobooks must be downloaded on your own computer, not on library computers.
:: Downloadable Audiobooks powered by NetLibrary |
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Downloadable audiobooks cheat sheet - the differences between NetLibrary & OverDrive at a glance.
If you already have a Netlibrary account click here.
Creating an Account
You can search for audiobooks and listen to previews without an account. However, to download and listen to audiobooks, you must first create a free NetLibrary account.
From a computer outside the library:
- Go to set up a NetLibrary account and click on Santa Barbara Public Library.
- Click on the link to Create a Free Account in the upper right hand corner.
- Create an account with NetLibrary as directed.
Logging in
Once you have created an account, you can log in from any computer with Internet access.
- Go to www.netlibrary.com and enter your username and password in the log in box.
- Click the "Log in" button.
- You now have access to all audiobooks available in the library’s collection.
Searching for a NetLibrary Audiobook
You can search for audiobooks using the Black Gold catalog as you would any other library item, or you can use either the basic or advanced search options at NetLibrary’s website. The Audiobooks Center, available by clicking on the eAudiobook Center link on the NetLibrary home page, allows you to limit searches to audiobook content and browse featured titles.
Checking out a NetLibrary Audiobook
The default checkout period for a downloadable audiobook from NetLibrary is three weeks. You may check out a maximum of ten audiobook titles at one time. Please do not download audiobooks to public computers in your library.
- From search results, click on the Download this Audiobook link to Open or Save the audiobook file.
- For WMA audiobooks, select a download option: CD quality, or radio quality. Radio quality provides faster download speed and is ideal for users with dial-up connections; CD quality offers high-fidelity playback for patrons with high-speed Internet access. If you will be transferring the audiobook to a portable device, you must download the CD quality version. MP3 audiobooks are only available in CD quality.
- If you select Open, NetLibrary will download the title and launch your media player. Click the play button to listen to the audiobook. The Save option allows you to download the file to a directory of your choosing. Once the download is complete, you can open the audiobook directly from your media player.
Audiobooks do not need to be returned; the license will expire in 21 days unless the title is renewed.
Renewing a NetLibrary Audiobook
Once an audiobook has been downloaded, it can be renewed at any time.
- Go to www.netlibrary.com and enter your username and password in the log in box.
- Click on the Checked Out Items link in the top right corner.
- Click on Download this eAudiobook
- Click on Renew your checkout for 21 Days
If you are attempting to access an audiobook with an expired license from your media player, a pop-up browser will prompt you to log in to renew your checkout.
- Enter your username and password.
- Click the log in button.
- Your license will automatically be renewed.
- Click play to listen to the audiobook.
Media Center
NetLibrary Media Center is a free application that can be downloaded onto your PC. With it, you can browse the library’s audiobook collection, download and listen to titles, and transfer audiobooks to a portable device. The NetLibrary Media Center is not yet available for Mac users.
Portable Devices for NetLibrary
NetLibrary eAudiobooks are available in Windows Media Audio (WMA) and MP3 file formats.
PC users: MP3 files can be downloaded and played on most portable players, including devices from Apple, Creative, Samsung and other manufacturers. WMA files can only be played on devices that support secure WMA playback.
Mac users: You can use iTunes to transfer MP3 titles to portable devices, including iPods. WMA titles are not compatible with Mac computers at this time.
More information on supported portable listening devices
For additional assistance, contact the Central Library Reference Desk:
564-5604.
Frequently Asked Questions & Video Demos
Click here for NetLibrary help
Click here to watch NetLibrary video demos
Technical Assistance
Technical questions concerning this service should be directed to NetLibrary (1-800-848-5800).
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:: Downloadable Audiobooks powered by OverDrive |
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Downloadable audiobooks cheat sheet - the differences between NetLibrary & OverDrive at a glance.
PC users: To access digital materials on OverDrive, you will need to install the Overdrive Media Console. A security upgrade for Windows Media Player is also required. The free software download and security upgrade are necessary only once. The steps for preparing your computer to use OverDrive are:
- Go to the OverDrive section on the Black Gold website
- Select Quick Start Guide from the left column
- Read the Overview if you wish, and then follow Step 1 to Download & Install Free Software
- After you have installed the software, go to the Start button, then All Programs, and then open the OverDrive Media Console
- Select Tools from the menu bar, open and then perform the Windows Media Player Security Upgrade.
Mac users: You will need to install the OverDrive Media Console for Mac. The console supports only MP3 audiobooks, not the WMA format, and Mac users can only transfer titles to Apple devices. You will also need to have Apple iTunes v7.6.2.9 (or newer) and QuickTime v7.4.5 (or newer) installed. iTunes v8.1.0.52 (or newer) is recommended for use with the iPod shuffle.
Check Out, Download, and Enjoy
You can browse or search the OverDrive site for downloadable materials. You may store up to 6 titles in your cart for 30 minutes while you are browsing and deciding on which title(s) to download. Remove the titles you have decided not to download and proceed to checkout. You may check out up to 4 titles at a time. Titles may be checked out for 7, 14, or 21 days. For more information on the checkout process, click here.
If a desired title is not available, you may place a hold on up to 10 titles. You will be notified by e-mail when your hold is available for downloading. Each title will be held for you for 4 days. For more information on placing a title on hold, click here.
Once you have checked out a title, a download page will be displayed. Click the 'Download' button to start the download. Once the download is complete, you can close your Internet connection and enjoy the materials offline.
Portable Devices for OverDrive
You can use your media player to transfer a downloaded audiobook to a variety of portable devices. A license is automatically transferred to your portable device, which will allow you to access the audiobook for up to three weeks from the date of original checkout.
PC users: Many OverDrive WMA audiobooks can be transferred to Apple devices. MP3 audiobooks can be transferred to most MP3 compatible devices, including Apple and Zune devices.
Mac users: The Mac operating system does not support OverDrive WMA audiobooks. Only the MP3 audiobooks can be used with Apple devices.
More information on OverDrive supported portable devices.
More help:
OverDrive Audiobook frequently asked questions
For additional assistance, contact the Central Library Reference: 564-5611 or 564-5623 .
OR email: support@overdrive.com
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