What are Downloadable Audiobooks?
Downloadable Audiobooks from NetLibrary and Recorded Books are digital versions of audiobooks that are available through the Internet. Audiobooks can be played on any desktop or portable device supporting Windows Media Player version 9.0 and above. You can also transfer your favorite titles to a wide range of portable devices, including portable music players, portable media centers, Pocket PCs, and even select smartphone devices.
Please check here for a list of recommended players.
Searching for an Audiobook
Basic Search on the NetLibrary home page www.netlibrary.org lets you quickly perform a search by entering terms and selecting a single search field. You may choose to search for your terms in the Keyword, Title, or Author fields. Basic search is prominently featured on the home page and is available on the right side of every page with the exception of the advanced search page.
1. Enter search term in the Basic Search field.
2. Select keyword, title, or author.
3. Click search.
Advanced Search lets you construct more complicated searches using multiple fields and Boolean operators.
1. Click on the Advanced Search tab located in the top navigation.
2. Use to the drop down menu to select search parameter (Title, Author, Subject,
ISBN).
3. Enter search term or multiple search terms using Boolean operators.
4. Click search.
The eBook Center, available by clicking on the eBook Center link on the NetLibrary home page, allows you to limit searches to audiobook content and browse featured titles.
Tip: You can also search for audiobooks using your library’s catalog.
Checking out an Audiobook
The default checkout period for a Downloadable Audiobook is three weeks. You may check out a maximum of six audiobook titles at one time. Please do not download audiobooks to public computers in your library.
1. From search results, click on the Download this Audiobook link to Open or Save the
audiobook file.
2. Select a download option: CD quality, or radio quality. Radio quality provides faster
download speed and is ideal for users with dial-up connections; CD quality offers highfidelity playback for patrons with high-speed Internet access.
3. If you select Open, NetLibrary will download the title and launch your media player.
Click the play button to listen to the Audiobook. The Save option allows you to download the file to a directory of your choosing. Once the download is complete, you can open the audiobook directly from your media player, or by using Windows Explorer.
Creating an Account
You can search and browse for audiobooks and listen to previews in your library. However, to download and listen to audiobooks, you must first create a free NetLibrary account. (You’ll be prompted to do so, when you try to check out an audiobook.)
1. Ask your librarian how to access the Web page with the account creation
function. In most cases, you can enter www.netlibrary.org and use the create a
free account link.
2. Enter your identifying information (user name, password, email address).
3. Select the submit button.
Logging in
Once you have an account, you can log in to your library’s collection from any computer with Internet access.
1. Go to www.netlibrary.org and enter your user name and password in the log in
box. (You can also go through your library’s Web catalog if you prefer.)
2. Click the red log in button.
3. You now have access to all audiobooks available in your library’s collection.
Renewing an Audiobook
Once an audiobook has been downloaded, it can be renewed at any time.
1. Go to www.netlibrary.org and enter your user name and password in the
log in box.
2. Click on the My checked out Items link.
3. Click on Renew this Audiobook
If you are attempting to access an audiobook with an expired license from your media player, NetLibrary will launch a pop-up browser that will prompt you to log in to renew your checkout.
1. Enter your user name and password.
2. Click the log in button.
3. Your license will automatically be renewed.
4. Click play to listen to the audiobook.
Transferring an Audiobook to a Portable Device
You can use your media player to transfer a downloaded audiobook to portable devices supporting secure WMA format. NetLibrary automatically transfers a license to your portable device that will allow you to access the audiobook for up to three weeks from the date of original checkout. Please refer to your media player’s help section for additional information.
Finding help
Detailed information on using NetLibrary is available by clicking on the Help tab in the top
navigation bar. Context-sensitive help is also available by clicking on the tips links located on NetLibrary search, details and download pages. For additional assistance, contact your librarian.
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