Digital Material · Frequently-Asked-Questions About the Ohio eBook Project

The Ohio eBook homepage

The Ohio eBook Project (OEP) offers downloadable materials that can be checked out and transferred to devices such as the Sony eReader, the Nook, the Kobo, the iPhone, the iPod, the Blackberry, etc. Materials in the Ohio Ebook Project are provided by libraries throughout the state who collectively purchase these materials from OverDrive, a downloadable materials vendor. When one participating library adds titles to the collection, customers from all OEP member libraries can borrow those titles.

I’ve never worked with OEP titles before, how do I get started?

A good starting point is the “New to Digital Books?” link in the upper left-hand corner of the homepage. The “Digital Media Guided Tour” (also on the homepage) has information about downloading and registering the free reader software, and guides you through the process of checking out titles and working with your account.

What kind of materials are in the OEP collection?

Most of the collection is comprised of MP3 and WMA audiobooks and Adobe EPUB and PDF books. Small collections of Mobipocket ebooks, videos, and music are also available.

What kind of audiobooks are in the OEP collection?

The audiobooks come in two formats: MP3 and WMA. MP3 files are compatible with Macs, WMA files are not; however, WMA files are compatible with Windows-formatted iPods.

Do I need any special software to listen to the audiobooks?

Yes. Before downloading any digital audiobooks, you must download the Overdrive Media Console (OMC), to your computer or laptop. This software is used to listen to the audiobooks, transfer them to supported devices, and burn to CD. A link to the Overdrive Media Console is on the OEP homepage.

What kind of devices are compatible with the WMA and MP3 audiobook files?

Well-known names include the iPhone, iPad, BlackBerry, Creative Zen, Microsoft Zune. A complete list of compatible devices is available on the OEP website.

Can I burn any of the audiobooks to CD?

Yes, some of the titles can be burned to CD. Additional information about burning audiobooks to CD is available in the Ohio eBook Project help pages.

How do Adobe books work?

The Adobe formats are digital versions of print books that have been optimized for on-screen reading.

What types of devices are compatible with Adobe EPUB and PDF books?

Well-known names include, the Sony Reader, Barnes and Noble Nook, and the Kobo. A complete list of compatible ebook devices is available on the OEP website. Please note: the Kindle can only be used to purchase titles from Amazon.

Do I need any special software to read the Adobe books?

Yes. Before downloading Adobe books, you must download the Adobe Digital Editions e-reader software from the OEP website. This software is used to view and manage ebooks and transfer them to other supported devices. A link to Adobe Digital Editions is on the OEP homepage.

Do I need a library card to check out OEP books?

Yes, you will need your library card and PIN. Your card must be in good standing.

How can I search for OEP books?

Browse for books in the OEP website and our catalog.

Can I accumulate overdue fines?

Because the titles are automatically returned, you will never be charged any overdue fees.

How many OEP books can be checked out at one time?

Up to 10 titles at a time. Once you’ve reached this limit, you will not be able to check out any additional titles until the license for a downloaded book has expired.

How long is the loan period?

The loan period varies by format. You can set a personalized default loan period (either 7 or 14 days) on a format by format basis. This can be done when you download a title or by clicking on the “My Digital Account” link in the upper right-hand corner of the OEP homepage.

Can I renew the ebooks or audiobooks?

Titles can be renewed (downloaded again) if copies are available when your checkout “expires.”

How do I return the ebooks?

On the due date, the title is automatically returned. The digital file will remain on your computer, MP3 player, etc. but it will no longer be readable.

What happens if a book I want is checked out to someone else?

If all available copies of an OEP title are checked out, you must put your name on a waiting list (like our print collection). You will be notified by email when the title is ready to be downloaded.

How can I download ebooks to my smartphone?

An Overdrive Media Console app for the Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, and Windows Mobile is available. A mobile version of the OEP site launches automatically when you visit the OEP on your smartphone.

What happens if I have technical questions or problems?

Extensive help files available via the “Digital Help” link in the upper right-hand corner of the OEP homepage. You can also use the “Support” link in the upper right-hand corner of the homepage to send questions via email.