Overdrive | Harris County Public Library

Tech Tutors: Your Cure for the New OverDrive Blues

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 02/11/2013 - 11:19am

We tried to warn you, but now that period has passed, and the new OverDrive is here! Just when you thought you had this whole eBook checkout thing figured out, they go and change the whole appearance and the whole checkout process on you. As frustrating as the initial process was for some of you, I'm sure this little shakeup has many of you threatening to go back to reading exclusively print books again.

But for those of you who are frustrated and confused who refuse to give up eHope, our eBook superheroes, the Tech Tutors, are here to help reorient you. Every Saturday in February from 10 am to noon, our Tech Tutors will be on hand for the sole purpose of helping you check eBooks out from our Digital Media Catalog onto your digital device.

And let me share a little secret with you: if you're interested in this service but unable to make it during that time window, I'm told that at least one of our Tech Tutors can be found lurking around the library at virtually any time that the library is open to the public. In other words, we can help you figure out eBook checkout any time you step foot into the library. Just pack up your device and stop by!

The OverDrives, They Are A-Changin'

Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 01/14/2013 - 5:35pm

Just when you thought you had figured out exactly how to check eBooks out to your Digital Device from our Digital Media Catalog, our primary eBook distributor, OverDrive has gone and changed things on us.

In the next few weeks, you will find that the OverDrive interface has had a bit of a makeover - one that they purport will make the eBook checkout process easier, but one that may also, on first encounter, cause the anxiety of figuring this whole eBook thing out to return.

But do not worry, for HCPL is here to help! The first place to go for help with this "Next Generation" of OverDrive is with this handy guide provided by our very helpful digital media support staff, fully equipped with this informative video provided by OverDrive.

Here at Northwest, we'll also be holding our Tech Tutors sessions every Saturday during January and February from 10 am to noon. Bring in your device, and we'll help guide you through the eBook checkout process, hopefully in the least confusing way. We're here to help!

KinderMorgan Foundation grant for Juvenile Overdrive

Submitted by Christi Whittington on Mon, 02/13/2012 - 2:42pm

KinderMorgan Foundation granted FOLK – Friends of the Library-Kingwood $5,000.00 to purchase downloadable digital media children’s books, targeting the pre-school/kindergarten through fifth grade ages. These included eBooks and eAudio materials. A few of the titles in eBook format include Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis and Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli. Newly added eAudio titles include

Common Question - - Answered.

Submitted by Deborah Sica on Sun, 11/21/2010 - 3:41pm

With holiday travel on the horizon, I am getting more and more digital book questions. One of the primary questions is "What device do I need to get to be able to use the library's Overdrive Collection?". You just need a computer to be able to use the collection, but to make your eBooks and audio and video files portable you will have to get an electronic device! The library's collection is compatible with several electronic devices; including but not limited to iPads, iPhones, iPods, Sony Readers, Nooks, various mp3 players like Coby and Creative devices, etc... For full details, visit Overdrive or contact the library.

A Library Without Walls

Submitted by Naomi H. on Fri, 07/23/2010 - 1:52pm

Are you looking for that next best seller to listen to on a long car ride but don't have time to visit the library and check out our collection of DVDs? Why not check out our Digital Media Catalog? We have hundred of audio books, music, electronic books, movies, and more you can download from the comfort of your own home. Best of all, this Tuesday at 7 PM, we will be hosting a class on how to do just that here at the library. Learn how to find, download, and transfer digital audio and e-books from our databases. Basic mouse and keyboarding skills are required. Seating for this and all computer classes is extremely limited. Click here to register for this and other classes offered by the library.

Get Your Manga Fix Online @ HCPL

Submitted by Darla Pruitt on Sat, 06/05/2010 - 11:59am

With temperatures reaching 100 degrees this weekend, the last thing you want to do is get out of the house and make a trek to your local library. So what's an otaku to do when you have a manga craving? Boot up your computer and head over to HCPL's Digital Media Catalog to check out our new downloadable line of manga and graphic novels.

So, how can you start downloading manga today?

Go Digital - I did!

Submitted by Deborah Sica on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 1:20pm

Santa came early this year! He brought me a digital reader! I am now able to download up to 350 books on an electronic device that weighs no more than one pound! Our Overdrive Downloadable Collection is compatiable with many electronic devices. My digital library has been downloaded from our Harris County Public Library eBooks Collection and from the Google Books Public Domain section. It is truly an amazing technology! No, I will never give up my actual, physical books, but I will be happy to add an additional 350 free books to my personal home library!

Overdrive at Drive Time - Audio Books for Commuters

Submitted by Deborah Sica on Sun, 08/16/2009 - 4:32pm

Do you drive a long distance? Are you a taxi for the kids? Want to make your car time quality time? Are you trying to keep the peace while others road rage around you? Try our downloadable audio books. This collection can be checked out easily. You don’t have to worry about late fines or returning items. It all happens automatically. Visit Overdrive and find out more.