What follows are frequently asked questions about digital materials and the Calgary Public Library web site. Click the question to hear the question and answer. Each answer is followed by a back to top link that leads back to the list of questions.
'eBook' is short for 'electronic book', a digital version of a print book that has been optimized for on-screen reading. eBooks are available in a variety of different formats.
To read more about free eBook software, click below:
An OverDrive WMA Audiobook title is a digitally-protected audiobook that has been optimized for download. OverDrive WMA Audiobook titles are built using the Microsoft® Windows Media® Audio format, which greatly enhances the sound quality for desktop listening, play of CD copies (where permitted by the publisher), and portable device use.
To read more about free digital audiobook software, click on the link below:
An OverDrive MP3 Audiobook title is an audiobook that has been optimized for download. OverDrive MP3 Audiobook titles are compatible with many different devices including most cell phones, PDAs, and MP3 players.
To read more about free digital audiobook software, click on the link below:
OverDrive Media Console (for OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks) is available for desktop and laptop computers with Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows Mobile, and Mac operating systems. For more information on OverDrive Media Console, click here.
How do I get to Mobipocket® eBook titles after I've downloaded them?
The steps taken to access Mobipocket eBooks vary by Mobipocket Reader version…
If you have Mobipocket Reader 5 or 6…
Open Mobipocket Reader.
Select 'eBooks' on the left hand navigation pane.
Mobipocket Reader displays the list of eBooks available in the Mobipocket library.
Click on the desired eBook to open it.
Alternatively, use Windows Explorer to browse to the desired Mobipocket eBook file on your computer (on Windows 98SE, Windows 2000, Windows ME, or Windows XP, Mobipocket eBooks are stored in My Documents > My eBooks by default. On Windows Vista (or newer), Mobipocket eBooks are stored in Documents > My eBooks by default), and right-click the file. Choose option 'Open With' and select Mobipocket Reader.
If you have Mobipocket Reader 4…
Open Mobipocket Reader.
Go to File > My Library.
The Mobipocket Reader Library displays the list of eBooks available in the Mobipocket library.
Click on the desired eBook to open it.
Alternatively, open Mobipocket Reader and go to File > Open. Browse to the desired Mobipocket file and double-click it to open it in Mobipocket Reader.
Can I download a title multiple times during the checkout period?
Calgary Public Library maintains a history of borrowed digital materials called 'My E-Items Out'. During the lending period, you can re-download from the My E-Items Out feature by clicking on the 'My E-Items Out' link in the My E-Book Account section.
To reach the My E-Book Account section, click the 'My E-Book Account' link and enter the required login information.
What happens to downloaded titles once I have finished with them?
Downloaded files remain on your computer (even after they have expired) until you manually delete them. The steps to delete expired files vary by format…
To delete an expired Adobe eBook…
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 desired eBook.
Click the 'Item Options' arrow (in the upper left corner of the selected eBook).
Select 'Delete Item'.
The title is deleted.
To delete an expired Mobipocket eBook file using Mobipocket 6…
Open Mobipocket Reader and select the 'eBooks' screen.
Right-click on the eBook you wish to delete and select 'Delete'.
The 'Mobipocket Reader' dialog box is displayed and prompts you to confirm that you want to delete the title.
Click 'OK' The title is deleted.
To delete an expired Mobipocket eBook file using Mobipocket 4 or 5…
Open Mobipocket Reader and go to File > My Library.
Locate the eBook you wish to delete. Click the 'Properties' link below the eBook. A dialog box displays information about the eBook.
In the dialog box, click the 'Delete' button.
The title is deleted.
To delete OverDrive titles using OverDrive Media Console…
Open OverDrive Media Console.
Select the item you wish to delete in the 'Media Library'.
Click the 'Delete' button. The title is deleted.
To delete OverDrive titles using OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile…
Open OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile.
Select the item you wish to delete in the 'Media Library'.
Click Menu > Delete and click 'Yes' to confirm.
The title is deleted.
To delete OverDrive titles using OverDrive Media Console for Android…
Open OverDrive Media Console for Android.
Select the item you wish to delete in the ‘Library’.
Select Menu > Delete and click ‘Yes’ to confirm.
The title is deleted.
Can I use the materials I check out from this site on multiple computers?
This depends on the format…
If you are using Adobe eBooks…
Adobe Digital Editions does not allow borrowed titles to be transferred to multiple computers. However, if you activate Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID, you are able to download a single Adobe eBook on up to 6 computers that have been activated using the same Adobe ID.
If you are using Mobipocket eBooks…
You can read Mobipocket eBooks on 3 machines. You need to install Mobipocket Reader on any machine on which you intend to read a Mobipocket eBook. You must then register a Mobipocket PID at this site for each machine on which you intend to read a Mobipocket eBook.
If you are using OverDrive media…
OverDrive WMA Audiobooks can be downloaded to multiple computers, transferred to supported portable devices, and burned to CD (where permitted by the publisher).
OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks can be downloaded to multiple computers, transferred to supported portable devices, and burned to CD.
Enhanced titles are accompanied by supplemental material provided by the publisher. Once you have checked out an enhanced title, you will be able to download the title as well as the supplemental material. Note that an enhanced title only counts as a single checkout.
How can I tell the format of the supplemental file that comes with an enhanced title? How will I know what software I need to use it?
The file format of the supplemental file is indicated at the title details page (click the link '[ENHANCED]'). Additionally, the file format is recapped on the My E-Items Out page. At the My E-Items Out page, you'll also find a link to the download instructions for the software required to use the supplemental file.
A mobile version of this site is available. The mobile version should display automatically when you access http://calgary.lib.overdrive.com on your mobile device.
If you access this site on your portable device and don't see the mobile version, take the following steps…
Close the web browser on your device.
Open a new instance of the browser, and delete cookies.
Delete temporary Internet files.
Access http://calgary.lib.overdrive.com again.
The mobile version of the website should be displayed.
You may want to download titles directly to your portable device. Please note…
OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks can be downloaded directly to devices running Android v1.5 (or newer). To download OverDrive Media Console for Android, click here. OverDrive Media Console for Android is also available for download at Android Market.
OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks can be downloaded directly to devices running Android v1.5 (or newer). To download OverDrive Media Console for Android, click here. OverDrive Media Console for Android is also available for download at Android Market.
I am trying to access the mobile version of the site on my mobile device, but my Internet browser keeps accessing the standard site. What should I do?
If you access this site on your portable device and don't see the mobile version, take the following steps…
Close the web browser on your device.
Open a new instance of the browser, and delete cookies.
Delete temporary Internet files.
Access http://calgary.lib.overdrive.com again.
The mobile version of the website should be displayed.
Should you continue to experience problems accessing the site, please email support. In your email be sure to include the device make and model as well as the Internet browser and version that you are using.
