Frequently Asked Questions - e-content

Use the 'Advanced Search' page. To display all of the titles that are available for check out right now, check the 'Only show titles with copies available' box on the 'Advanced Search' page. You can also further narrow your search, by Subject or Format, for example.

Yes! You can download an EPUB eBook or MP3 audiobook to any device authorized with your Adobe ID. Download titles during the checkout period by going to OverDrive > My Account > Currently checked out > Download

You can also download Kindle books to all Kindle devices and Kindle apps registered with your Amazon ID. After you deliver your Kindle eBook to your first device, all devices registered with your Amazon Account will automatically receive your title after syncing.

NOTE: Library books are delivered to Archive in the Kindle app. You must click on the title to finish downloading.

Return Kindle books early:

• Browse to amazon.com and go to Manage Your Kindle.
• Click the Actions tab next to the book you want to return.
• Select Return this book.
• After the browser refreshes, select Delete from library.

Return EPUBs on an iOS device:

• Open the OverDrive Media Console app.
• Go to the bookshelf.
• Tap Edit at the top left.
• Tap the red minus sign next to the book you want to return.
• Tap Delete.
• Tap Return then Delete.

Return EPUBs on an Android device:

• Open the OverDrive Media Console app.
• Go to the bookshelf.
• Tap grey + next to the book you want to return.
• Tap Return/Delete.
• Tap Return then Delete.

Return EPUBs using Adobe Digital Editions on your computer 

Early releses of the OverDrive Media Console app didn't allow audiobooks to be returned early. With the release of OverDrive Media Console v2.4 for Android, BlackBerry and Windows Phone, users can now return audiobooks. 
 
The system requirements are still the same. The free apps can be installed on phones and devices running…

• Android v1.5 (or newer)
• Touch screen BlackBerry OS v4.7 (or newer)
• Non-touch screen BlackBerry OS v4.5 (or newer)
• Windows Phone 7 (or newer)

Unfortunately, you still can't return audiobooks on a Kindle or iOS device. Once you have reached the 5 item limit on your Overdrive account, you have to wait for one of your items to expire before downloading another item.   However, you may return ebooks early using the Overdrive app or Kindle app.  Select the item then from the menu pick Delete and then Return then Delete.

The software you need depends on the device and format you want to download.

Kindle Books

• A Kindle device or the Kindle app

EPUB eBooks

• Adobe Digital Editions (if you are using a computer)
• OverDrive Media Console app (if you are downloading directly to the device)

MP3 audiobooks

• OverDrive Media Console (if you are using a computer)
• OverDrive Media Console app (if you are downloading directly to the device)

On your computer, open Adobe Digital Editions (ADE). At the top click on the dropdown arrow next to the word LIBRARY. Click on AUTHORIZE COMPUTER. If your computer has been authorized it will tell you what email address (Adobe ID) it was authorized to.

On any mobile device where the Overdrive App was downloaded, open the Overdrive App. At the top right, click on Get Books +. Then click on Settings at the bottom of the screen. If you have authorized your device, it will tell you what email address (Adobe ID) it was authorized to.

To review a list of supported devices, click here.

To review a list of supported devices, click here.

You can download the free OverDrive Media console here.

OverDrive Media Console allows you to download and enjoy EPUB eBooks and MP3 audiobooks on most most Windows and Mac computers. Use OverDrive Media Console to navigate, play, and bookmark OverDrive media titles, and to manage and customize your media library. OverDrive Media Console includes a built-in Transfer Wizard that allows you to transfer titles to your supported portable player in just a few clicks. For audiobooks that may be burned to CD, OverDrive Media Console includes a Burn Wizard that allows you to burn a title to CD without installing any extra software.

NOTE: OverDrive Media Console mobile app is available for Android, Kindle, iOS, Blackberry and Window mobile devices.

Adobe EPUB eBooks offer reflowable text, which means that you can change the font, resize the text, or alter the size of your display and the text of the Adobe EPUB eBook 'reflows' to fill the available view area. This makes Adobe EPUB eBooks the optimal choice for reading eBooks on small screens. While some PDFs are reflowable on some devices (such as the Sony Reader), one of the main strengths of the PDF format is its ability to preserve the layout of complex documents.

An MP3 audiobook is an audiobook that has been optimized for download.  MP3 audiobooks are compatible with many different devices including many cell phones, PDAs, and most portable music devices.

An Adobe EPUB eBook is a digital version of a print book that has been optimized for on-screen reading. The text in an EPUB eBook is reflowable, which means that you can change the font, resize the text, or alter the size of your display, and the text will rewrap itself to fit the available viewing area. Adobe EPUB eBooks also support embedded content, allowing, for instance, a Flash video to be embedded within an eBook.  Adobe Digital Editions must be installed and activated to download and read EPUB eBooks on your computer. If you want to download and read EPUBs on a mobile device, you must install the OverDrive Media Console app and authorize your device with a free Adobe ID.

This happens on all Kindle books purchased from Penguin Group publishers. Penguin Group does not allow their Kindle books to be delivered via a wireless connection from one device to another. You must first download the Kindle book to your computer and then you can transfer to a device using a USB cable.

NOTE: Interestingly, if you download the book to the Kindle app on your computer, you can then transfer the eBook via wireless connection to any Wi-Fi capable device registered to your Amazon account. You can also download the book directly onto a mobile device if you have the Kindle app. After you have checked out your book and selected Get for Kindle, choose Transfer via Computer and the book will be downloaded to your Kindle app on your device.

No, eBook files remain on your computer or device until you delete them.

To transfer Adobe eBooks using Adobe Digital Editions…

• Open Adobe Digital Editions.
• Click on the Adobe eBook you want to transfer.
• Drag the Adobe eBook to the eBook device icon in the left pane of Adobe Digital Editions.
• The 'Copy Documents' dialog box is displayed and the title is transferred.
• When transfer is complete the 'Copy Documents' dialog box closes. You can now disconnect the eBook device and enjoy the eBook on-the-go.

Note that to transfer Adobe eBooks to a supported eBook device, Adobe Digital Editions and the eBook device must be activated using the same Adobe ID.

This error is caused by one of, or some combination of, the following three system settings:

1. Incorrect clock time.
2. Incorrect date.
3. Incorrect time zone.

When you download a PDF or an epub, the Adobe activation records timestamp information from the Adobe activation server. This information is stored inside the book. When you attempt to open the book, this information is compared to your current system information. If your system has an incorrect time/date/time zone, then the activation server disallows the request and you cannot read the book.

Carefully check the machine's system time, date, and time zone to be certain they match the time/date/zone when you purchased the PDF or epub. In most cases this will resolve the error.

NOTE: For Android users, we noticed the problem is often fixed by turning 'on' Automatic Date and Time.

OverDrive is a leading distributer of eBooks, eAudiobooks and other digital content. Most libraries rely on OverDrive to host their entire e-collection. GCLD’s OverDrive collection can be found online at http://marmot.lib.overdrive.com or through the OverDrive Media Console mobile app.

An e-book (short for electronic book and also known as a digital book, ebook, and eBook) is an e-text that forms the digital media equivalent of a conventional printed book, sometimes restricted with a digital rights management system.

Yes! e-readers are available to check out. Currently, we loan the Sony E-Reader which is pre-loaded with a variety of titles. The E-Reader includes an instructional manual, one AC adapter (w/ 2 cords) and comes in a plastic zipper case.

The Grand County Library District also features Overdrive in the library catalog with a diverse listing of titles to download to your personal e-reader.

Our Android guide explains how to download eBooks and eAudiobooks to your device.

OverDrive Media Console for Android is available for download at the Android Market.

Our Kindle guide explains how to download eBooks and eAudiobooks to your device.

You can transfer EPUBs to a Kindle Fire, however, you need to install the OverDrive Media Console app. See our Kindle user guide for instructions.

If you cannot find your title after you've checked out a Kindle book and delivered it to your device, then try syncing the device. NOTE: If you are using the Kindle app, you will find your borrowed title in Archive.

OverDrive Media Console for Kindle is available from OverDrive.com. Get instructions for downloading OverDrive Media Console to your Kindle.

There are several reasons that you may not be able to deliver your Kindle book directly to your device.

1. Your device hasn't been registered with your Amazon ID.
2. Your device does not have Wi-Fi capabilities (3G requires a USB connection to your computer).
3. You have chosen a Kindle book from Penguin Group publishers (Penguin Group prohibits wireless transfer from Amazon.com to your device.)

Our iOS guide explains how to download eBooks and eAudiobooks to your device.

OverDrive Media Console for iOS is available for download at the App Store.

Using the Sony eBook Reader—The Basics

1. To turn on the device, slide the oval power button (located on the top of the device) to the right. It will slide back to the left by itself. To turn it off, slide it to the right again.
2. Press the home button (icon of a house) to return to the home menu.
3. The back button (curled arrow pointing left) returns to the previous menu screen.
4. Use the arrow buttons to turn pages in a book or to highlight a selection.
5. Use the enter button (the circle inside of the arrow buttons) to make a selection.
6. Selections can also be made by pressing the number button adjacent to the menu choice on the screen.
7. The battery indicator is located in the bottom left hand corner of the screen. Four black blocks show a fully charged device. Black blocks will disappear as the device loses charge.
8. To recharge the battery, plug the yellow end of the AC adapter into the circular yellow hole in the bottom of the device. The prongs plug into an AC outlet. A lightning bolt beside the battery indicator will show a charging device. You may still use the device while it is charging.

1. To start reading from the beginning of a book, select begin (number 2). This will take you to the title page.
2. Turn pages by pressing the right and left arrow buttons. You can track your progress within a book by looking at the bottom of the screen.
3. Increase font size by pressing the magnifying glass button. You can cycle through three sizes.
4. To bookmark a page, press the bookmark button (it looks like an open book with the right page dog-eared). The page you have selected will show a dog-ear in the top right-hand corner. Press the button again while on a bookmarked page to remove a bookmark.
5. To jump to a chosen page, type in the page number using the number buttons then press the enter button.

To activate an eBook device using an Adobe ID…

• Connect the eBook device to your computer.
• Open Adobe Digital Editions.
• Adobe Digital Editions launches and detects the eBook device. The 'Device Setup Assistant' dialog box is displayed.
• Click 'Authorize Device'.
• Adobe Digital Editions activates the eBook device. You can now transfer DRM-protected Adobe eBooks to the device.

Note that both Adobe Digital Editions and the eBook device must be activated with the same Adobe ID to transfer DRM-protected Adobe eBooks to the device.

To return EPUBs early…

• Open Adobe Digital Editions.
• Select the 'Library View' icon (in the upper left corner).
• The Adobe Digital Editions library is displayed.
• Under the 'Bookshelves' heading, select 'Borrowed'.
• Click the eBook you want to return.
• Click the 'Item Options' arrow (in the upper left corner of the selected eBook).
• Select 'Return Borrowed Item'.
• Click 'Return' to verify that you want to return the title.
• The eBook is returned to the library collection.

To activate Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID…

• Open Adobe Digital Editions.
• The 'Setup Assistant' dialog box is displayed.
• Click 'Continue'.
• The 'Authorize Computer' screen is displayed.
• In the appropriate fields, enter the email address and password for your Adobe ID.
• If you do not already have an Adobe ID, click 'get an Adobe ID online' and follow the instructions to sign up for an Adobe ID.
• Click 'Activate'.
• Your computer is activated to your Adobe ID.
• Click 'Finish' to close the 'Setup Assistant' dialog box.

If you prefer to activate Adobe Digital Editions anonymously…

Open Adobe Digital Editions.

• The 'Setup Assistant' dialog box is displayed.
• Click 'Continue'.
• The 'Authorize Computer' screen is displayed.
• Select the 'Don't Authorize Computer' option.
• Click 'Activate'.
• You are prompted to confirm that you do not want to activate Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID at this time.
• Select 'Continue'.
• Click 'Finish' to close the 'Setup Assistant' dialog box.

If you choose not to activate Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID at this time, you may do so later.

Activating Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID allows you to do more with Adobe eBooks, such as downloading them on multiple computers and transferring them to supported portable devices. However, this is a matter of personal preference. Before deciding, please consider the following…

If you use anonymous activation, note these limitations…

• You will only be able to read a downloaded Adobe eBook on a single computer.
• You will not be able to download an Adobe eBook on more than one computer. After the initial download of an Adobe eBook, subsequent downloads of that title can only be completed on the same computer.
• You will not be able to transfer Adobe eBooks to supported eBook devices.
• You can decide to activate using an Adobe ID at any time. However, if you activate Adobe Digital Editions with an Adobe ID which has already been used to activate Adobe Digital Editions on another computer, the Adobe eBooks you originally downloaded when using anonymous activation will no longer work.

If you use an Adobe ID…

• You will be able to download an Adobe eBook on computers that have been activated with the same Adobe ID (up to 6 computers/devices can be activated using the same Adobe ID).
• After the initial download of an Adobe eBook, subsequent downloads of that title can be completed on computers activated with the same Adobe ID.
• You will be able to transfer Adobe eBooks to supported eBook devices activated with the same Adobe ID.

You can download Adobe Digital Editions from Adobe.com.

Adobe Digital Editions is a free eBook reader application used to read DRM-protected EPUB eBooks. Adobe Digital Editions must be installed and activated in order to download and read EPUB eBooks from OverDrive on your computer.

Adobe Digital Editions does not recognize an iPad. You will have to download the Bluefire Reading app to transfer an EPUB from your computer to the iPad.

Follow these instructions:

1. First make sure your computer has Adobe Digital Editions and is authorized with your Adobe ID
2. Download Bluefire Reader on your iPad from the App Store and authorize it with the SAME Adobe ID
3. Download your ebook to your computer with Adobe Digital Editions if you haven't already done so
4. Plugin your iPad to your computer and open iTunes and go to the iPad device and then the Apps tab and scroll down and look for the "Sharing"
5. Tell iTunes and Bluefire where the PDF or EPUB file is saved on your computer, probably in your "My Digital Editions" folder, and it will then upload it to the iPad and you can read it in Bluefire Reader
6. Get step-by-step instructions from Bluefire

NOTE: If you have a wireless connection, the easiest way to get an EPUB onto an iPad/ iPhone/iPod Touch is through the OverDrive Media Console app.

Each library branch has a pre-loaded Sony E-reader, available for check out, with some of the following titles: (please note, titles may be changed out periodically)