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NetLibrary/Recorded Books e-Audiobooks:
A Guide for Middletown Public Library Patrons
What is an e-Audiobook?
An e-Audiobook is simply an audiobook in electronic format. Instead of borrowing books recorded to cassettes or CDs from the Library, you download a sound file from the NetLibrary/Recorded Books website to your personal computer. You may listen to the file on your computer or you may transfer it to another audio device for portable playback.
Who can download e-Audiobooks?
If you have a library card from Middletown Public Library, you can access a large collection of e-Audiobooks from NetLibrary/Recorded Books at no direct cost to you.
Can I come to the library and check out an e-Audiobook?
No. You must download to a home or work PC. You have access to the NetLibrary/Recorded Books website 24-hours-a-day, 7 days a week. Time limitations and security on Library computers make it difficult to download to Library computers at this time. While Library staff can provide some help in the registration and download process, you must have your own home or work PC to which you can download files. You can listen to the book on your computer or you can transfer the file to a portable listening device.
What computer and software requirements must I have to download e-Audiobooks?
You may download e-Audiobooks to any Windows-based personal computer with an Internet connection, sound card and speakers that supports Microsoft Windows Media Player v9 and above, Musicmatch Jukebox v8.2 and above, or Nullsoft Winamp v5 and above. Most personal computers operating Windows 2000 or above are purchased with a version of Windows Media Player, so rarely do people need to download special software.
What kind of portable listening devices must I use?
For portable listening, you may copy from your PC to any WMA (Windows Media Audio)-compatible listening device. Visit NetLibrary/Recorded Books’ Help Page to see a short list of supported devices. There are other compatible devices that are not listed. We recommend that you purchase a player with at least 256Mb and the ability to have the player hold your place when it is turned off. Bookmarking is a recommended feature for those who will use e-Audiobooks frequently.
NOTE: e-Audiobooks cannot be downloaded to Apple computers or transferred to iPods.
How do I sign up to download e-Audiobooks?
You must first register for a free account through Middletown Public Library’s website at MiddletownPublicLib.org. From our homepage, click on the About eAudiobooks in the upper right hand corner and follow the directions for first time users. To create an e-Audiobook account, you must use your Middletown Public Library card number and choose a Username and Password. If you have difficulty setting up the account, ask Middletown Public Library staff to help you set up an account with NetLibrary/Recorded Books.
How do I find e-Audiobook titles?
Visit NetLibrary/Recorded Books and search the list of available e-Audiobooks from Recorded Books.
What is the basic process for downloading an e-Audiobook?
- Create an account with NetLibrary/Recorded Books Registration or once you have established an account, access it directly via NetLibrary/Recorded Books and login to your NetLibrary account.
- Search or browse for a title you would like to download.
- Select a sound quality for download and click on download. Indicate a specific location for where to save the file. (Some users choose the desktop, others have a media folder.) The download process will begin.
- When the download is complete, you will have downloaded a copy of the audio file and a license that allows you to play the file for the next consecutive 21 days from your computer.
- To listen, open the file or find it through your media player, typically Windows Media Player. You can listen to the file at this time from your computer for the next 21 days. You can renew the item if you need it longer or download another copy.
- Many people will choose to transfer the e-Audiobook to a portable listening device (MP3 player) so they can listen to it while on the go. Your media player will offer options for transferring files to a portable device.
- You may want to delete files you are finished with or that have expired from your personal computer or portable listening device.
How long does it take to download a NetLibrary/Recorded Books e-Audiobook?
Download time depends on the size of the audio file and the speed of your Internet connection. An e-Audiobook title that runs 10 hours has a file size of about 150Mb and will take an estimated 15 minutes on a high speed cable modem connection, about 90 minutes on a DSL connection, or over 5 hours on a dial-up modem. For more details on download speed, visit Estimated Download Times. NOTE: All times given on the chart are estimates only!
What level of sound quality can I expect from an e-Audiobook?
NetLibrary/Recorded Books offers two sound quality options: CD quality and radio quality.
- CD quality offers high-fidelity playback for patrons with high-speed Internet access. You must download the CD quality file if you are going to transfer and listen to the e-Audiobook on a portable listening device.
- Radio quality provides faster download speed and is ideal for patrons with dial-up connections. It is ideal for those who will listen to e-Audiobooks from a home or office computer.
Can I save an e-Audiobook to a CD?
No. To protect the content creator’s rights, Digital Rights Management technology prevents the file from being burned to a CD.
How do I listen to an e-Audiobook in the car?
You will need a radio transmitter or other device adapter that works with your portable listening device and car stereo. Contact your device manufacturer for specific requirements.
Why can’t I download and play an e-Audiobook on a Mac or an Apple iPod?
Macs do not have a version of Windows Media Player that works with Windows Media Rights Manager version 2.x. Apple iPods use the .aac file format. This file format does not support the Digital Rights Management protection required by NetLibrary/Recorded Books e-Audiobooks. Digital Rights Management protection helps ensure that the content of our publishing partners is secure.
Borrowing Policies for Checking Out an e-Audiobook
- When you download an e-Audiobook from the NetLibrary/Recorded Books website, you automatically download a license that “borrows” the file for use on your computer for exactly 21 days to the minute. If you need more time, you can renew it once by logging into your NetLibrary/Recorded Books account. When the license or “check-out” period expires, you will not be able to play the e-Audiobook from your computer, even though the file will remain on your computer. You should manually delete the file when it expires.
- You do not need to “return” e-Audiobooks as you would traditional library materials when the checkout period ends. There are NO FINES or HOLDS for e-Audiobooks.
- If you transfer a file to your portable listening device, it will be available until it is manually deleted.
- You can “check out” up to 10 e-Audiobooks at a time on your NetLibrary/Recorded Books account.
Technical Information and Troubleshooting Tips
What does "You need a license" mean?
You may have downloaded a new version of Windows Media Player and need to re-synch with the portable listening devices. Contact your computer or portable listening device manufacturer for specific information.
Why doesn't the e-Audiobook download, even though I get an acquiring license message?
If you have an older Windows Media Player version the download appears to be working. Windows Media Player shows "acquiring license," but eventually you get a message that you don't have a license to play the e-Audiobook. You need to download a newer version of Windows Media Player.
Why won't the e-Audiobook play on my PC? It played just fine yesterday.
The checkout period for the e-Audiobook may have expired. Login to the NetLibrary/Recorded Books website, and click on the My Checked Out items link in the upper right-hand navigation bar to see if the e-Audiobook checkout period has expired. You can renew or download again.
How do I delete an e-Audiobook from my computer or portable listening device?
You can delete an e-Audiobook file in the same way you delete other files.
Why did I get this message: "e-Audiobooks: The Link You Clicked is No Longer Valid?"
e-Audiobooks are protected by Digital Rights Management (DRM). Your computer's date/time clock settings must match the actual time zone, be set for the correct time of day, and must be as exact as possible. If the settings are off, DRM won't allow the download. Adjust your computer’s clock settings and try again.
What is Windows Media Player?
Windows Media Player is a program used to play and organize audio and video content you have stored on your computer. For more information about Windows Media Player, some troubleshooting tips, and to download a newer version for your computer, visit Windows Media Player.
Who can I ask for additional help?
- If you have problems setting up an account or finding titles, visit Middletown Public Library or call 944-6412 to speak with a staff member.
- If there is a problem with your Internet connection, computer, or portable listening device, contact your Internet provider or the manufacturer.
- For downloadable e-Audiobooks product support, call the NetLibrary/Recorded Books helpline at 1-800-848-5800.