The guide below will help patrons navigate our digital content.
Step 1 is only applicable while using a computer; if using a mobile device, the first step will instead be to obtain the OverDrive app from your device’s app store.
Depending on your device, step 8 differs slightly:
- On a mobile device, like Android or Apple – Access your bookshelf by selecting the menu icon (three horizontal bars) in the top-left corner. Select Bookshelf from the menu to access your downloaded titles.
- To read or listen to your checked out titles on a computer, you will need to download the Adobe Digital Editions app for ebooks and the OverDrive app for audiobooks.
- On an older Kindle or Paperwhite, you will be directed to your Amazon account. Sign in, adding the chosen title to your Kindle. It will synchronize with your device as long as it is connected to WiFi.
Downloadable Audiobooks
[EXPAND How does this service work?]Your Thomas Memorial Library card gives you access to the Maine InfoNet Download library collection. In order to download, play, and transfer audiobooks, you have to download and install OverDrive Media Console. Once you have installed this software, you can download audiobooks to your computer, transfer them to a portable device, or, in some case, burn them to a CD.[/EXPAND] [EXPAND What kinds of audiobooks are available?]A mix of adult, children’s, and young adult titles, fiction and nonfiction are included in the collection. If an item is checked out, you may place a hold.[/EXPAND] [EXPAND How do I register?]You do not need to register. Once you have available titles you’d like to download, you add them to your cart; you will be prompted to sign in when you are ready to check out your audiobooks. You wil first choose Thomas Memorial Library from the list of participating libraries. You will then be prompted to sign in with your Thomas Memorial Library barcode number.[/EXPAND] [EXPAND Can I download and play audiobooks on a Mac?]Downloadable audiobooks come in WMA and MP3 formats. Overdrive MP3 Audiobooks can be downloaded to Mac computers. The WMA Audiobooks work only with PC based machines. Not all titles are available in both formats. Icons below each title indicate which devices and operating systems are compatible with any given title. For example, the icons duplicated here indicate that a title can be burned to a CD, it is in the WMA format, and will work with an iPod as long as you are using a PC (note that the Mac and MP3 icons are grayed out.)[/EXPAND] [EXPAND Can I transfer audiobooks to an iPod or other Apple device?]There are two iPod-compatible audiobook formats available through the library’s Overdrive Media Console: WMA and MP3. Both Windows and Mac users may have iPods and iTunes, so exact procedures can be confusing. See below for different options.[/EXPAND]- [EXPAND Overdrive MP3 Audiobooks for Windows users]Windows users may transfer downloaded MP3 files directly from the Overdrive Media Console to an iPod. iTunes® v9.0.2 (or newer) is required. The Apple device must be formatted for use with Microsoft® Windows®. The iTunes setting ‘Manually manage music…’ must be enabled for the device before you can complete the transfer. This option is found in the Settings tab of your iTunes software. When it is checked, you must manually eject the iPod before detaching it from your PC. [/EXPAND]
- [EXPAND Overdrive MP3 Audiobooks for Mac users]Mac users can just drag Overdrive MP3 audiobook files into the iTunes Library, or open the iTunes Library and import them.[/EXPAND]
- [EXPAND Overdrive WMA Audiobooks for Windows users]WMA files have to be converted for use before they are transferred to an iPod or other Apple device. Overdrive Media Console has to borrow code from iTunes in order to convert a WMA (Windows Media Audio) audiobook to Apple’s AAC format. During this process, the Overdrive Media Console “Transfer Wizard” will suggest that you change an iTunes import setting in order to reduce transfer time. Here’s how to do that. There is no option to transfer WMA files directly to the iTunes library, even if you use iTunes software without an iPod. If you open your iTunes library in Windows and try to import the WMA folder, it will give you an error message because of the format. You can play the WMA files within the Overdrive Media Console or with Windows Media Player. You may also burn a WMA file to audio CD, a great option for automobile CD players and long commutes. A long book can use up many CDs, so using CD-RW for a few segments at a time is a money-saving option. Check the “plays on” icons that display with each title to see if burning to a CD is allowed.[/EXPAND]
- [EXPAND Overdrive WMA Audiobooks for Mac users]Unfortunately, Mac users cannot use WMA files on their computers or with their iPods, iPads, or iPhones.[/EXPAND]
Downloadable eBooks
Note: For the most up-to-date tutorials for different devices, please visit the Maine State Library’s help page for using the Maine InfoNet Download Library. [
EXPAND How does this service work?]Your Thomas Memorial Library card gives you access to the Maine InfoNet Download library collection. In order to download, read, and transfer eBooks from your computer, you have to download and install Adobe Digital Editions software. the program should run on most Windows and Mac machines. Adobe Flash Player must also be installed. You will be guided through this process the first time you go to the Download Library to download eBooks. The eBooks, which are in the Adobe EPUB format, can be read on a home computer, or an e-book reader, including the Sony Reader, Barnes & Noble’s Nook, Kobo, or Amazon Kindle. If you have a mobile device, like a smart phone or tablet, downloading the Overdrive app from your app store will allow you to access eBooks and audiobooks quickly and easily.[/EXPAND] [EXPAND What is an Adobe EPUB eBook?]An Adobe EPUB eBook is a digital version of a print book that has been optimized for on-screen reading. The text in an EPUB eBook is reflowable, which means that you can change the font, resize the text, or alter the size of your display, and the text will rewrap itself to fit the available viewing area. Adobe EPUB eBooks also support embedded content, allowing, for instance, a Flash video to be embedded within an eBook.[/EXPAND] [EXPAND What kinds of books are available?]The Download Library includes fiction, nonfiction, children’s and young adult titles.[/EXPAND]
[EXPAND How do I register?]You do not need to register. Once you have available titles you’d like to download, you add them to your cart; you will be prompted to sign in when you are ready to check out your eBooks. You will first choose Thomas Memorial Library from the list of participating libraries. You will then be prompted to sign in with your Thomas Memorial Library barcode number. You will need an Adobe ID, which you will either obtain either through the process of downloading the free Adobe Digital Editions software to your computer, or in the process of your first use of the Overdrive Media Console app for Apple devices. Complete details are included with instructions on checking out eBooks below.[/EXPAND]
[EXPAND Can I transfer eBooks to my Nook, Kobo, or Sony Reader?]Yes! Click here to download a PDF of our tutorial.[/EXPAND] [EXPAND Can I get eBooks on my smart phone or tablet?]Yes! If you have a smart phone or tablet like Apple or Android, you can get eBooks and audiobooks directly through the OverDrive app. To get the app, simply download it from your device’s app store. When you first open the Overdrive app on your device, you will have to sign in by specifying your library and providing your library card number. It will then connect you directly to Maine InfoNet, where you can browse for titles that interest you.[/EXPAND] [EXPAND Can I transfer eBooks to my Kindle?]Yes! Click here to download a tutorial for Kindle, First Edition. Click here to download a tutorial for Kindle Fire.[/EXPAND] [EXPAND What are the lending rules?]eBooks may be borrowed for either 7 or 14 days (you have the option to choose the lending period during the check-out process.) When the check-out period is over, the eBook will expire and you will be unable to access it on your device. Additionally, depending on your device, you may choose to return the eBook early so as to check more out. This can be done on a Windows machine through the Adobe Digital Editions app or on your mobile device directly in the Overdrive bookshelf. Unfortunately, this process is not supported on Macs at present.[/EXPAND] [EXPAND I am in the market for an eReader. What do you recommend?]Here is handy flowchart that might help you make a decision about which eReader would best suit your needs.[/EXPAND] Return to top.