The Overdrive App Thanks to the Overdrive App, CML’s digital collection is available for those with a smart phone but not an eReader. The process is fairly straightforward, but we all know that there are customers who can take an easy thing and make it difficult, so we’ll go ahead and walk you through the process so you’re familiar with it. Note: I will be walking you through the iPhone version as that’s the one I have, but all versions are the same.
Transcript
The Overdrive App
Thanks to the Overdrive App, CML’s digital collection is available for those with a smart phone but not an eReader. The process is fairly straightforward, but we all know that there are customers who can take an easy thing and make it difficult, so we’ll go ahead and walk you through the process so you’re familiar with it.
Note: I will be walking you through the iPhone version as that’s the one I have, but all versions are the same.
Getting the App
First, for those who have yet to be initiated in the wonder that is smartphones, an explanation of apps.
Apps are small applications that run on the smartphones and can encompass everything from games to stock trackers to web browsers.
To make it easier for consumers to spend their money on apps, they are easily accessible via the smartphone’s App Store or website. Here are the website links:
iPhone
Blackberry
Android
Windows 7 (downloaded via the App store only)
If the customer wants to play with this right away and they have the phone in front of you, it’s best to download via the phone’s app store as there is no need to hook up the phone to a computer this way.
You should be familiar by now with Adobe Digital Editions and its requirement to create an account. If you’ve created one already then just enter in the information here.
If you’re like me you’ve forgotten your password, but don’t worry, you can have it sent to you. First click on “Register on Adobe.com” which will take you to the Adobe web page. Then choose “Forgot Password?” and Adobe will send you and email with instructions on how to change your password.
However, you can do all of the steps shown below without signing in. Until you go to download, that is. Then the app requires you to register and you are stuck.
Connecting to the Library
Now that you’re in you need to tell the app which library digital catalog to hook up with. Every system or consortium has its own selection, so it’s necessary. Just click on “Get Books” and “Add a Library.”
For whatever reason, Overdrive lists each of the branches individually. It doesn’t matter which one you pick because they’ll all send you to the same place: the CML Overdrive hompage.
Searching the Catalog
The experience of finding and checking out an item on here is pretty much the same as when on the full, desktop version. The problem is that you’re working with a much smaller screen and sometimes it doesn’t want to cooperate and give you what you’re looking for. Because of this, you might want to suggest to your patrons that they use a computer to find and check out books and then come here to download the item onto their device.
The app has just taken you to the CML Overdrive homepage via the device’s web browser, something to keep in mind as they may need to change their browser permissions.
It took me a while, but I finally decided on Desert Knights. I was truly tempted by Destined Mate, but the cover took it over the edge for me.
Checking out an Item
Click on Add to Cart, Select Columbus Metropolitan Library, and enter in your library card number.
Choose a loan period and it’s all yours! For 7-14 days.
Downloading an ItemIf you’ve already checked out an item on a computer and want to download it onto the device, click on My Account. Go to My Bookshelf.
If you just checked it out, or if you’ve gone to My Bookshelf, this is what you’ll see.
Click on the Download button and it will start downloading into the Overdrive App.
Opening an Item
Click on it (yes, it’s that easy).
Deleting an Item
Click the Edit button and a Delete button pops up to the right of the title.
If you redownload it, the first option is best. If you’re done and want to check out more books, click Return then Delete. This will not only get it off of your device but out of your bookshelf, freeing up a space in your 10 item limit.
What this Means for YouJust remember that they need to download the app from their device’s app store. Once they have it, they can download straight to their device fairly easily.
And always give them the option to browse on the computer and download on the device. They may never do it this way, but it’s good to have options.
