Library offers downloadable audiobooks, eBooks

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Downloadable audiobooks and eBooks are now available from the Douglas County Library through a cooperative arrangement with Viking Library System (VLS).

Library users can access these materials at www.vikingdigitallibrary.lib.overdrive.com or from the local library website www.douglascountylibrary.org. The materials are available 24 hours a day, seven days per week to all people with a VLS card in good standing.

Downloadable audiobooks can be downloaded at the library or from a remote site onto the patron’s audio device; eBooks can be downloaded from a remote site or at the library using the patron’s computer and most types of eReaders.

Books include fiction and nonfiction, as well as books suitable for children and teens. Materials can be searched by subject, title, recent purchases, popularity and format. There is also a selection of staff recommendations.

Materials will automatically be checked out for 14 days, with a patron option of choosing a shorter time period (seven days) for audiobooks and either a shorter (seven days) or longer time period (21 days) for eBooks. eBooks can be returned before they are due, while audiobooks must be kept the entire time. There is a limit of five titles per library card.

Audiobooks can be listened to on most MP3 players, iPods, iPads, mobile phones, and computers. eBooks can be viewed on all computers as well as most eReaders, including the Sony eReader and the Nook, iPads, and other mobile devices. Downloadable eBooks cannot be read on Kindles at this time, but that may change later in 2011.

Because downloadable materials check themselves in, they are never overdue, and they do not accrue fines.

The website contains excellent instructions for downloading materials to all devices. There is a short piece of software that must be downloaded before you can begin; one for audiobooks and one for eBooks.

If you are having trouble, call the Douglas County Library at (320) 762-3014 or submit your query in writing to digitallibrarysupport@viking.lib.mn.us.

Visit the VLS blog “of Note” on the website at www.viking.lib.mn.us for more information.

Member libraries offering the service include the public libraries in Browns Valley, Douglas County, Elbow Lake, Fergus Falls, Glenwood, Hancock, Morris, New York Mills, Pelican Rapids, Perham and Wheaton as well as the Bookmobile.

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