DOWNLOADABLE EBOOKS FOR KINDLES & KINDLE APPS AT THE STOW-MUNROE FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY

DOWNLOADABLE EBOOKS FOR KINDLES & KINDLE APPS AT THE STOW-MUNROE FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY

Terms and Definitions An ebook is an electronic version of a printed book. EBooks can be read on desktop or laptop computers (Windows or Mac), smartphones, tablets, and ebook readers like the Kindle, the NOOK, Kobo, Sony, etc. EBooks come in multiple formats; our collection includes three basic types, EPUB (including Open EPUB), PDF and Kindle. Kindle ebook readers can only use books in the Kindle format. Overdrive has partnered with Amazon.com to provide Kindle-compatible ebooks to our digital library. To check if the app works on your device, see this link: http://help.overdrive.com/#devices The instructions in this booklet cover all current (as of January, 2017) models of Kindle ebook devices, as well as smartphones and tablets using the Kindle App. Note: Kindle Fire users also have the option to access ebooks and audiobooks through the Overdrive App. See our Mobile Devices booklet for instructions.

Find and Check Out Kindle Books There are several ways to locate ebooks to check out. Go to our online catalog (opac.smfpl.org) on a computer or tablet. You may see ebooks and downloadable audiobooks listed alongside print books in your results. Electronic resources marked Hoopla use a different app. See the Information Desk for more info. These are marked as electronic resources. Clicking the Check for availability on the Ohio ebook Project button takes you straight to the book s information page (see p. 9 below). 3

You can also search directly in the Ohio Digital Library website. This gives you more powerful search tools (Advanced Search). Go to the library s website, www.smfpl.org, and click Digital Downloads and Streaming (second button from the left). On the Download Center page, click the button marked Ohio Digital Library. 4

On the Ohio Digital Library homepage, click Sign In in the upper right corner. On the next screen, click in the white box to view the drop-down list of member libraries. Select the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library from the list. 5

Type your library card number in the box provided, and tap the check box to have your device remember your card number. Click Sign In. Search for EBooks Click the magnifying glass at the top of the screen to open the Search box. Click in the Search box and type the beginning of the title, or the author s name. A list of matching titles or names will appear. Click the title or name you want to search for. You will now see a page of search results. 6

The Results Page This book is checked out to someone else. If you go on the wait list, you ll get an email when it s in for you. This book is already checked out to you. This book is available to be checked out. On the results page, a band at the top of each book cover shows its status: Available, Wait List, On Hold (i.e. on hold for you) or Borrowed. Below each cover you will see the title and author, the item type ( or ) and an action button ( or ) if appropriate. (Note: Kindle Fire owners can listen to MP3 audiobooks using the Overdrive app. See the Mobile Devices booklet for instructions.) 7

Refine Your Search At the top of the Results page, click the Filters button to narrow down your search. Available filters include: Some particularly useful filters are: Available Now: Hides all checked-out items so you can just find something you can check out right away. Audience: Screen out or pick out young adult, children s or mature materials. Kindle Book: Screen out books that are not available in the Kindle format. Subject: Lets you browse books by subject. When you click any filter, the results page adjusts automatically. 8

To read more about a title, click the menu button and choose View Details. You will go to the book s individual item page (shown below). Menu button The individual item page gives a short description of the book, shows subject headings at the bottom of the screen, and lets you read a sample. If the book is part of a series, the series name will be listed just below the title. Click the series name to view all books in the series. Click to view series 9

Check Out From the link below the book cover, or on the individual item page, click Borrow. A banner appears at the top of the screen showing the due date: When you are done checking items out, scroll to the top of the screen and click the icon of three book spines. This takes you to your Loans page. Transfer ebooks to the Kindle The Loans page shows a list of all items you have on loan. To transfer a book to your Kindle, click the Choose a Format button beside your book s cover. A list of available formats drops down. Click Kindle Book. Amazon.com will open in a new window. 10

On Amazon.com: You should already be signed in to your Amazon account. Make sure the Kindle or Kindle App you want the title transferred to is displayed in the drop-down box, then click the yellow Get Library Book button. The next time your Kindle connects to a Wi-Fi hot spot, the book will be sent directly to it. It should automatically appear the next time you turn on your Kindle. Note: Kindles manufactured before mid-2010 cannot receive library books wirelessly. If you have one of these early-model Kindles, contact the Adult Services Department. We offer several opportunities each week for you to work with a librarian and learn to download and transfer titles to your device. 11

If you don t see your book when you turn on your Kindle, 1. Check your wireless settings (under Settings) to be sure you are connected to a wi-fi hot spot rather than your Kindle s 3G internet. 2. Sync your Kindle: Kindle Fire (all models) - Display the menu (either by tapping the gear symbol at the the top right of the screen, or by swiping from the top of the screen). Tap Sync. Kindle ebook readers (Paperwhite, etc.) - Select Menu and choose Sync and Check for Items. This will usually do the trick! Delete expired ebooks from your Kindle the same way you would delete any book. (Each type of Kindle does this slightly differently.) 12

About Holds Reserve an ebook If all the virtual copies of your book are checked out, you can put it on hold. Click Place a Hold from the search page (the link below the book cover), or on the individual item page. A form will open, prompting you to enter your email address (after the first time, Overdrive will fill it in for you) and then click Place a Hold. You are now on a hold list, just like with a print book. 13

View your Holds list by clicking the book-spines button, then Holds. You can now see the covers of all the titles you are waiting for. Your position on the waiting list is shown beside each title. Buttons below the title let you o change your email address o temporarily suspend your hold o cancel your hold 14

Get a Reserved ebook When the previous patron returns an ebook, or when their loan expires, the book will be automatically checked out to you and you will receive an email from Overdrive telling you so. The email includes a link to the Ohio Digital Library; click the link and sign in as usual. Once you are signed in, click the book-spines button at the top of the page. You will be taken to your Loans page, and the new book will be there. Verify your format and download the title to your device as usual (see Transfer ebooks to the Kindle, page 10 above.) 15

Return ebooks Early with Manage Your Content and Devices On Amazon s website, hover the mouse over the Accounts and Lists menu at the top right of the page until the menu drops down. Click on the Manage Your Content and Devices link. When you click this link, you will see three tabs: The Your Content tab lists all the books Amazon has delivered to your Kindle, whether they are purchased, borrowed or expired. The Your Devices tab shows an icon for each Kindle device and Kindle app registered to your Amazon account, and the Settings tab lets you change purchase settings and manage features like Kindle Free Time. 16

On the Your Content tab, click on an item s Actions button to display a menu of various options. You can: Send a book to another Kindle. Buy your own copy of a borrowed book. Return a borrowed book early so another patron can check it out. Delete an expired book from your Kindle library. Library ebooks work the same way as any Kindle book, including letting you annotate them and place bookmarks. Amazon s Whispersync technology synchronizes your notes, highlights, and last page read. If you check a book out multiple times or purchase it from the Kindle store, your annotations and bookmarks will be preserved. 17

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Notes 19

20 Revision Date: February 13, 2017