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Computer Technology
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Help - Basics - General

What follows are frequently asked questions about digital materials and the Pierce County Library System web site. Click the question to hear the question and answer. Each answer is followed by a back to top link that leads back to the list of questions.

What kinds of materials can I check out from this website?

We are pleased to offer the following types of materials for checkout and download from this website:

  • eBooks in the Adobe® Digital Editions EPUB format
  • eBooks in the Adobe® Digital Editions PDF format
  • eBooks in the Mobipocket Reader format
  • WMA Audiobooks in the OverDrive Media Console™ format
  • MP3 Audiobooks in the OverDrive Media Console™ format

To review system requirements and download free software for your preferred format, click below:

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What is an 'eBook'?

'eBook' is short for 'electronic book', a digital version of a print book that has been optimized for on-screen reading. eBooks are available in a variety of different formats.

To read more about free eBook software, click below:

To review system requirements and instructions for download, click below:

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What is an OverDrive WMA Audiobook?

An OverDrive WMA Audiobook title is a digitally-protected audiobook that has been optimized for download. OverDrive WMA Audiobook titles are built using the Microsoft® Windows Media® Audio format, which greatly enhances the sound quality for desktop listening, play of CD copies (where permitted by the publisher), and portable device use.

To read more about free digital audiobook software, click on the link below:

To review system requirements and download OverDrive Media Console, click on the link below:

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What is an OverDrive MP3 Audiobook?

An OverDrive MP3 Audiobook title is an audiobook that has been optimized for download. OverDrive MP3 Audiobook titles are compatible with many different devices including most cell phones, PDAs, and MP3 players.

To read more about free digital audiobook software, click on the link below:

To review system requirements and download OverDrive Media Console, click on the link below:

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What software do I need to use the content at this site?

In order to borrow and use a specific format of digital media, you must download and install the appropriate software.

For Adobe EPUB eBooks, Adobe Digital Editions is available for desktop and laptop computers. For more information on Adobe Digital Editions, click here.

For Adobe PDF eBooks, Adobe Digital Editions is available for desktop and laptop computers. For more information on Adobe Digital Editions, click here.

Mobipocket Reader is available for desktop and laptop computers with Microsoft Windows® operating systems, Smartphones, Pocket PCs, and Palm® OS PDAs. For more information on Mobipocket Reader, click here.

OverDrive Media Console (for OverDrive WMA Audiobooks) is available for desktop and laptop computers with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Windows Mobile operating systems. For more information on OverDrive Media Console, click here.

OverDrive Media Console (for OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks) is available for Android, BlackBerry,  iPhone,  Mac, Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Windows Mobile operating systems. For more information on OverDrive Media Console, click here.

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Can I download a title multiple times during the checkout period?

Pierce County Library System maintains a history of borrowed digital materials called 'Items out'. During the lending period, you can re-download from the Items out feature by clicking on the 'Items out' link in the My OverDrive Account section. To reach the My OverDrive Account section, click the 'My OverDrive Account' link and enter the required login information.

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Can I use the materials I check out from this site on multiple computers?

This depends on the format…

  • If you are using Adobe eBooks…
    Adobe Digital Editions does not allow borrowed titles to be transferred to multiple computers. However, if you activate Adobe Digital Editions using an Adobe ID, you are able to download a single Adobe eBook on up to 6 computers that have been activated using the same Adobe ID.

  • If you are using Mobipocket eBooks…
    You can read Mobipocket eBooks on 3 machines. You need to install Mobipocket Reader on any machine on which you intend to read a Mobipocket eBook. You must then register a Mobipocket PID at this site for each machine on which you intend to read a Mobipocket eBook.

  • If you are using OverDrive media…
    OverDrive WMA Audiobooks can be downloaded to multiple computers, transferred to supported portable devices, and burned to CD (where permitted by the publisher).

    OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks can be downloaded to multiple computers, transferred to supported portable devices, and burned to CD.

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Can I download and play OverDrive titles on an Android™ device?

You can download and play OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks on an Android device using OverDrive Media Console for Android. You can also transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to OverDrive Media Console for Android v1.0 (or newer) using OverDrive Media Console v3.2.0.5 (or newer).

To review system requirements and download OverDrive Media Console for Android, click here. OverDrive Media Console for Android is also available for download at Android Market.

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Can I download and play OverDrive titles on a BlackBerry® device?

You can download and play OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks on a BlackBerry device using OverDrive Media Console for BlackBerry. You can also transfer OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to OverDrive Media Console for BlackBerry v1.0 (or newer) using OverDrive Media Console v3.2.0.5 (or newer).

To review system requirements and download OverDrive Media Console for BlackBerry, click here.

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Can I download and play OverDrive titles on an iPhone®, iPad™ or iPod touch®?

You can download and play OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks on an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch using OverDrive Media Console for iPhone.

OverDrive Media Console for iPhone is available for download at the App Storesm. To download OverDrive Media Console from the App Store, click here.

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Can I download and play OverDrive titles on a Windows Mobile® device?

You can download and play OverDrive titles on a Windows Mobile device using OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile. You can also transfer OverDrive titles to OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile using OverDrive Media Console.

To review system requirements and download OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile, click here.

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How can I see titles that are available for check out right now?

Use the 'Advanced Search' page. To display all of the titles that are available for check out right now, check the 'Only show titles with copies available' box on the 'Advanced Search' page. To visit the 'Advanced Search' page, click here. Note that you can use 'Advanced Search' to further narrow your search, by Subject or Format, for example.

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What is an enhanced title?

Enhanced titles are accompanied by supplemental material provided by the publisher. Once you have checked out an enhanced title, you will be able to download the title as well as the supplemental material. Enhanced titles are clearly labeled with the designation '[ENHANCED]'. An enhanced title only counts as a single checkout.

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How can I tell the format of the supplemental file that comes with an enhanced title? How will I know what software I need to use it?

The file format of the supplemental file is indicated at the title details page (click the link '[ENHANCED]'). Additionally, the file format is recapped on the Items out page. At the Items out page, you'll also find a link to the download instructions for the software required to use the supplemental file.

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Is there a mobile version of this website?

A mobile version of this site is available. The mobile version should display automatically when you access http://digitalbooks.piercecountylibrary.org on your mobile device.

If you access this site on your portable device and don't see the mobile version, take the following steps…

  1. Close the web browser on your device.
  2. Open a new instance of the browser, and delete cookies.
  3. Delete temporary Internet files.
  4. Access http://digitalbooks.piercecountylibrary.org again.
    The mobile version of the website should be displayed.

You may want to download titles directly to your portable device. Please note…

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What kinds of materials can I check out from the mobile version of this website?

You can browse and check out all of the materials available at this site from the mobile version of the website.

You may want to download titles directly to your portable device. Please note…

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I am trying to access the mobile version of the site on my mobile device, but my Internet browser keeps accessing the standard site. What should I do?

If you access this site on your portable device and don't see the mobile version, take the following steps…

  1. Close the web browser on your device.
  2. Open a new instance of the browser, and delete cookies.
  3. Delete temporary Internet files.
  4. Access http://digitalbooks.piercecountylibrary.org again.
    The mobile version of the website should be displayed.

Should you continue to experience problems accessing the site, please email support. In your email be sure to include the device make and model as well as the Internet browser and version that you are using.

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