Note: look at the bottom of this page for information on NetLibrary Media center, a new easier way to download and transfer digital audiobooks. View and download a printable pdf of these instructions by clicking this link.

Instructions for creating an account, browsing and checking out titles, downloading and playing titles, and transferring files to a portable media player

Open your web browser and type in the address bar: http://www.netlibrary.com/
On the right side of the screen, you can choose to view the eAudiobook collection.

 

If needed, click on “Create a Free Account” and fill out the form. Since many people create usernames for this service, don’t worry if your first few choices are already used. At the bottom of the form, you must enter an e-mail address, but NetLibrary never sends you any spam. If you are outside of the library and are having trouble creating your account, call 785-580-4555 and we will be happy to create an account for you.

Enter your Username and Password and click “Log In”.
Browse in the categories that interest you, or search by Title, Author, Subject or Narrator.  Limit your search by Duration to find shorter audiobooks or by year to find more recently published selections. You can also search by format - WMA or MP3. MP3 files are the only kind that will play on iPods or Zunes.

Once you find an audiobook that you like, click “Show Details.” You can listen to a preview to hear the narrator’s voice. If you don’t see enough information about the book, open another window of your web browser and look up a description of the book on amazon.com to help you decide if you want to check it out. When you find one you want to checkout, click “Download this eAudiobook

Several download options are presented. You almost always want to choose the first choice: “Check Out and Download CD Quality.” This option is required if you want to transfer the file to your portable media player.

Use the “Check Out and Download Radio Quality” only if you have a very slow Internet connection and are listening to the eAudiobook directly from your computer. The sound quality is noticeably less clear.

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On most computers, the download will be blocked by the security settings, and a thin yellow bar will pop up below the browser menu. Click on this yellow bar and choose “Download File” and your download will proceed.

When you are given the options for saving the file, choose “Save” and then choose a location on your computer that you can find again later. We recommend saving to the Desktop, since the audiobook file will then create an icon on your computer’s desktop.

Helpful Facts and Tips about Netlibrary

• You can have 10 audiobooks checked out on your account at one time. Each audiobook checks out for 21 days (3 weeks). You cannot return the audiobooks early; they will remain on your account the full 21 days. After 21 days the .WMA files will not play anymore because the license will expire.
• When you are finished with the audiobook file you should delete it from your computer and you have to do this manually. Just drag the file’s icon on your desktop to the recycle bin.
• You can access your NetLibrary account from any computer with internet access using your username and password. Just go to www.netlibrary.com and login.

If you don’t want to sit at your computer to listen to your digital audiobook, you can transfer it to a portable media player. Remember audiobooks that are DRM protected .WMA files can only be transferred to devices that will play those files. iPods will not play .WMA files, but they will play .MP3 files. NetLibrary tests players and makes recommendations at http://www.oclc.org/audiobooks/techspecs/devices.htm

Connect your portable media player to your computer using the cord provided with your device if needed.

Your player should be recognized and displayed on the right side of your screen (in Windows Media Player 11).

While your sudiobook is playing, click on Now Playing to display your title. Click on the title of your audiobook and drag it to your “Sync List.” If you have more than one audiobook to transfer, follow these steps until you have everything in your “Sync List” that you want to transfer to your device.

 

Press “Start Sync” to transfer the files and licenses to your portable media player.
(If you transfer the files without using Windows Media Player to “Sync” the device, the licenses won’t transfer and the files won’t play.)

The title that you transfer to your portable media player will only play with the license for 21 days. After that, you will need to renew your license and “Sync” the title again to your device.

After 21 days, the title is not automatically deleted, but the license will expire.

On your computer, playing the audiobook with Windows Media Player, your title will expire after 21 days and you will need to renew your license to continue listening.

Once you no longer need the title on your computer or portable media player, simply delete the file.

Once your files are synchronized to your portable media player, you can disconnect your device. If available, use the “Safely remove USB Mass Storage Device-Drive” option in the Task Bar. The icon looks like this:

 

NEW! Using NetLibrary and NetLibrary Media Center

What is the NetLibrary Media Center?
The NetLibrary Media Center makes the browsing, downloading, transferring and playing process easier. NetLibrary Media Center is designed to make your eaudiobook downloads fun, easy, and fast. 

How do get it?
Go to the Netlibrary webpage, at www.netlibrary.com, and login with your username and password.  Click on the web banner that says “New NetLibrary Media Center, Easier Faster audiobook downloads.” The NetLibrary Media Center requires that you install Windows Media Player version 11 on your computer. Read the information on this page and click on the “install media center” to begin the installation process. Your computer may block the download, so you may have to click on the yellow bar that appears at the top of your browser and click “download file” to proceed. Click “Run” to download and launch the media center installer. Follow the prompts of the installer. After the installation is complete, you will have to restart your computer to complete the process. 

 

Once I have NetLibrary Media Center installed, how do I use it?
You can search for audiobooks directly from NetLibrary Media Center without having to go to the Netlibrary website first. Open up NetLibrary Media Center and log in. Browse for titles and download them by simply clicking “listen to on my computer” or “transfer to my player” depending on what you want to do. Be sure to have your player plugged into the computer if needed.

What advantages are there to using NetLibrary Media Center?
The one click download process allows you to find a title you like, click “download to computer” or “transfer to player”, and the NetLibrary Media Center does everything else for you. Enjoy faster access; just open up the Netlibray Media Center to start searching for your next great digital audiobook listen, no need to go to the NetLibrary website first. The books start to play as you are downloading them, even before the download is complete. Other features include a customizable interface and a built in player with the ability to play the audiobook faster or slower.

Do I have to use NetLibrary Media Center to download?
No, you can still use the traditional method to download your audiobooks if you prefer. 

 

 

	OverDrive	NetLibrary
	Browse Collection	Browse Collection
Need a valid TSCPL card?	Yes	Yes
Need additional account?	No	Yes, NetLibrary account
Checkout period	user can choose 7, 14 or 21 days	21 days
Checkout limit	10 items	10 items
What software do I need?	Windows Media Player and OverDrive Media Console	Windows Media Player and (optional) NetLibrary Media Center
Compatible with Apple iPod?	Most files are compatible, but must use OverDrive Media Console version 3.2	Yes, but only the .MP3 audiobook collection
Offer other downloadable media, like music and videos?	Yes	No
Burn to CD?	selected titles only	No