Good news for eAudiobook lovers — HarperAudio titles are now available in MP3 format! This means that these eAudiobooks can now be downloaded directly to a much wider variety of devices, including Mac, iPhone and Android.

Popular HarperAudio authors include:

• Mary Kay Andrews
• Rob Bell
• Ray Bradbury
• Agatha Christie
• Beverly Cleary
• Neil Gaiman
• Eloisa James
• J.A. Jance
• Dennis Lehane
• C. S. Lewis
• Patricia MacLachlan (Sarah, Plain and Tall)
• Peggy Parish (Amelia Bedelia)
• Anne Patchett
• Katherine Paterson
• James Rollins
• Lynsay Sands
• L. J. Smith
• Kerrelyn Sparks
• Rebecca Wells

Visit http://ebooks.kdl.org and download one today!

All Kent District Library branches will be closed Monday, January 21 for an All Staff professional development day. We’re taking a day to make sure we’re the best library system we can be for all of our customers. Please pardon our absence, and we’ll all be back on Tuesday, January 22!

As you may have noticed, OverDrive has updated our eBook website (http://ebooks.kdl.org) to a whole new look! Since there are a number of changes, we’ve been highlighting some tips for navigating the new site here on the KDL blog. Here’s our topic today:

It doesn’t ask me to select a checkout period anymore — how do I change this?

In order to simplify the checkout process and reduce the required number of clicks, OverDrive now automatically selects the checkout period that is set in your individual account. You can set your default lending period to 7, 14, or 21 days  by logging into your account and clicking on Settings:

Note that based on user feedback of the new site, OverDrive does plan on adding back the option to choose your checkout period for each individual title at the time of checkout. We should see this option again within the next few weeks.

Learn more about the eBook website changes by reading the FAQ page, which also includes a helpful demo video.

Questions? Give us a call at 616-784-2007 or fill out the Support Request Form.

Happy Downloading!

As you may have noticed, OverDrive has updated our eBook website (http://ebooks.kdl.org) to a whole new look! Since there are a number of changes, we’ve been highlighting some tips for navigating the new site here on the KDL blog. Here’s our topic today:

All the big book covers are very pretty, but how do I tell if something is an eBook or an eAudiobook?

Look at the top right corner – it will have either a book icon or a headphone icon. In addition, if the icon is dark gray, it means that there are copies immediately available for checkout. If the icon is light gray, it means that all copies are currently checked out and you’ll have to place a hold: (Note that you’ll have to click on the book to go to the full details page to see exactly how many copies we own vs. how many are available.)

You can also use the new Filtering options to the left of any search results screen to narrow by format:

What is the bookmark for underneath the book covers?

Click on this to add the title to your Wish List.

Learn more about the eBook website changes by reading the FAQ page, which also includes a helpful demo video.

Questions? Give us a call at 616-784-2007 or fill out the Support Request Form.

Happy Downloading!

As you may have noticed, OverDrive has updated our eBook website (http://ebooks.kdl.org) to a whole new look! Since there are a number of changes, we’ve been highlighting some tips for navigating the new site here on the KDL blog. Here’s our topic today:

I love Inspirational Fiction, but I don’t see this category listed anymore — where did it go?

Inspirational Fiction is not one of OverDrive’s “standard” categories for eBooks and eAudiobooks, so they previously had added it as a custom category especially for KDL’s site. With all the recent updates, this custom category has not been integrated into the new site quite yet, although OverDrive is working on it.

Until they have finished added the category to the new site’s overall category menu, you can scroll down to the very bottom of the site and look for the purple “Inspirational Fiction Featured Collection” box. This will pull up a list of all of our Inspirational titles. You can also search individually for your favorite authors, such as Karen Kingsbury or Beverly Lewis.

Learn more about the eBook website changes by reading the FAQ page, which also includes a helpful demo video.

Questions? Give us a call at 616-784-2007 or fill out the Support Request Form.

Happy Downloading!

As you may have noticed, OverDrive has updated our eBook website (http://ebooks.kdl.org) to a whole new look! Since there are a number of changes, we’ll be highlighting some tips for navigating the new site here on the KDL blog over the next few days. Here’s our first topic:

I’ve checked something out, but I don’t see a Download button anymore – where did it go?

For eBooks, you’ll see the following reading options next to the book cover once you have checked it out (note that not all of these may be listed, depending on the individual title):

• Get for Kindle
  Kindle users will obviously want to choose this. The Kindle process works just like it always has.

• Read (In your browser)
  This is a new “OverDrive READ” format. If you are using a tablet or other device with a modern (color) web browser, choose this to open the book right in your browser. This means no downloading and no Adobe ID registration required! And if you add the book to your bookmarks or favorites once it has opened, it will still be available even if you have to go offline (like if you’re flying or out of wi-fi / cell data range).

• Other format(s)
  This is where to find the EPUB format for downloading (still needed by those with “black & white” eReaders like the NOOK Simple Touch & Kobo.) Once you select “EPUB eBook” from the drop-down menu, the file download should begin and you can open it in Adobe Digital Editions and transfer it as normal.

For audiobooks, you’ll just see the “Other format(s)” drop-down box. Once you select either MP3 or WMA format, the file should automatically begin downloading into the OverDrive Media Console software.

Learn more about the eBook website changes by reading the FAQ page, which also includes a helpful demo video.

Questions? Give us a call at 616-784-2007 or fill out the Support Request Form.

Happy Downloading!

If you’re a regular user of KDL’s eBooks and eAudiobooks, you may notice that our eBook website (http://ebooks.kdl.org) looks a little different today. OverDrive, our eBook service provider, has upgraded our site to their new “Next Generation experience.” Here are some highlights:

• Easier checkout process, with fewer clicks
• Read eBooks right in your web browser, with no need to download software or register a device
• Filter your search results to easily find what you need
• A fresh new design with larger book covers

Learn more about the eBook website changes by reading the FAQ page, or watch the demo video below:

Questions? Give us a call at 616-784-2007 or fill out the Support Request Form.

Happy Downloading!

Whether you’re a computer novice or looking to update your skills, KDL’s free computer classes and workshops for job seekers can help you learn something new! Registration begins today for our February classes:

• Computer Basics: Where’s My Stuff?
• Digital Photos: Online Photo Sharing, Saving and Ordering
• Gadgets: BYO eReader & Tablet Users Group
  (pre-registration not required)
• Hot Tech Topic: Get Appy with Your iPad
• (pre-registration not required)
• Internet: Blogs, Wikis, Social Networking & More
• Internet: Create Your Own Website or Blog
• Internet: Email Basics
• Internet: Facebook Basics
• Internet: Getting Started on Craigslist
• Internet: Internet Basics & More
• Internet: Online Genealogy Research I & II
• Internet: The 24/7 Library: Resources for Book Lovers
• Job Seekers: Career Transitions Workshops: Developing Your Personal Brand (pre-registration not required)
• Job Seekers: Career Transitions Workshops: Communicating Your Brand (pre-registration not required)
• Job Seekers: Career Transitions Workshops: Networking (pre-registration not required)
• Job Seekers: Career Transitions Workshops: LinkedIn Bookcamp (pre-registration not required if you bring your own laptop)
• Job Seekers: Career Transitions Workshops: Behavioral Interviewing & Effective Negotiating (pre-registration not required)
• Job Seekers: Job & Career Accelerator
• Microsoft Excel Basics I & II
• Microsoft PowerPoint Basics
• Microsoft Word Basics I, II & III
• Speak to a Geek (pre-registration not required)

For class descriptions and schedule, please see our brochure or search our events calendar.

Unless otherwise noted, pre-registration is required and will begin the month before the scheduled classes on the first Monday of each month for KDL cardholders and the second Monday for non-KDL cardholders (if space is still available):

• February classes: Registration begins Monday, January 7 for KDL cardholders
  (Monday, January 14 for non-KDL cardholders)

To register, please call 616-784-2007.

Newsweek magazine goes all-digital next week, but fear not, KDL cardholders: you have access to the electronic version for FREE when you subscribe (again, for FREE) to Zinio when you download the – free! – app through our website. And oh, Zinio also gives you free access to dozens of popular magazines through KDL, including Consumer Reports, ESPN The Magazine, Good Housekeeping and US Weekly. Pass it on!

Kent District Library will be closed Tuesday, January  1 for the New Year’s holiday. In addition, all branches will close at 5:00 PM on Monday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve). We will resume normal operating hours on Wednesday, January 2. For additional 2013 holiday closing information, please view our holiday closings page.

We appreciate your patronage and wish you a Happy New Year!