Audio Books

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.

Already have an AudioBooks account?

Go directly to www.netlibrary.org and log in.

How can I get started if I don't already have an account?

1. Locate your library card.
2. Click here to log into the e-books section of MLIN, the Massachusetts Library Information System (http://www.mlin.org/books/ebooks/index.php).
3. Enter your library card number and click GO.
4. Click on the NetLibrary button
5. Search for a book (see search instructions below)
6. When you find a book you want to download, click on "Download this Audiobook".
7. Create an Account (Yes, you have to have already selected a book for download in order to get the Create a Free Account Here link.)
   1. Click on Create a Free Account Here.
   2. Enter the required information.
   3. Click the Create Account button.
   4. When you have created an account, use it to log in to NetLibrary.
8. Decide which format you want to download and click on the link you have selected. (Radio Quality is recommended for limiting your download time.)
9. Download the book to a directory of your choice
10. Open the file to listen to the book using your Windows Media Player or other supported device.
11. The next time you want to download another book, go directly to www.netlibrary.org and use your new Username and Password.

Searching for an Audiobook
Basic Search on the NetLibrary home page 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 also 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.

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.

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.

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