eBooks and eAudio books are here!

Invercargill City Libraries are very excited to announce the launch of our new eBook and eAudio book service, OverDrive. From Monday 3 October you will be able to download free eBooks and eAudio books from home via a link from our Library website, www.ilibrary.co.nz We have joined the South Island Downloadable Zone consortium of 15 South Island public libraries to bring you access to OverDrive. This means we will be sharing the collection with other libraries, with one person able to use a title at a time.

The initial collection of eBooks and eAudio consists of adult fiction titles, with an emphasis on popular and best seller titles. As the collection develops in size and demand for the service increases, popular nonfiction, young adult titles, and children’s content will be added.

This is such an exciting time and we invite you to join in the celebrations of a change in the publishing world.

What you need

· A valid Invercargill City Libraries card

· A computer with internet access (preferably broadband), or a mobile device such as an iPad, iPhone, or Android device etc

· Free software available from our OverDrive website: OverDrive Media Console and Adobe Digital Editions

· A device for reading eBooks, such as a Kobo or Sony Reader etc

· Something to listen to eAudio books (some of these can be burned to CD; others need to be played through a device such as an MP3 player etc)

Loan period

You can choose 7, 14, or 21 days. Titles automatically expire when the due date is reached, or eBooks can be “returned” early if you finish before the due date.

Holds

You can place a hold on any title that is currently out to someone else and you will be notified by email when it is ready for you to download. You will then have three days to download the title.

Number of items

You can borrow up to five items at a time (this includes eBooks and eAudio), and have holds on a further five items. These do not count against your usual 50 physical item limit at the Library.

Cost

OverDrive is free to users with a valid Invercargill City Libraries card. Items are free to download, and place holds on. You will never be charged any overdue fees for OverDrive items as they are automatically “returned” when the due date is reached.

To access the OverDrive

· Go to http://www.ilibrary.co.nz

· Click the “Digital” tab along the top of the screen

· Click the OverDrive link

· Find an available item you want to read or listen to, and add it to your basket.

When you are asked to login, you will need to select “Invercargill City Libraries” from the list of consortium libraries. Then click the next link as directed. You will then be taken to a page where you need to enter your valid Library card number.

Help

There is detailed, step-by-step help and FAQs on the South Island Downloadable Zone OverDrive website. Feel free to explore these and see if they answer any questions you may have. You will also find lists available of compatible devices etc on the website. Library Help Desk staff will also be able to assist you with basic enquiries about OverDrive, so please give us a call or come in and have a chat about the new service.