See what everyone else is reading and watching!  Click on the link to the KDL Top Ten List.  These are the 10 most checked-out items at KDL this week!

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!

Have you heard about our Happiness Project? You don’t want to miss out on all the fun!

Watch this short segment from WZZM 13 to learn more:

Improve Your Outlook on Life at the Library

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!

Wrapping Paper Tubes

This article originally appeared in our Early Lit Bits eNewsletter. Read the most recent issue online or sign up to receive this monthly update highlighting early literacy tips and resources for parents and caregivers.

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!

With more and more bloggers making the leap to becoming published authors, KDL has put together a list of books that are based on their Internet counterparts. If you have seen the blog, you might be interested in the book.  Or use this list of books to find more interesting blogs to read!

For a new outlook on an old favorite, try Garfield Minus Garfield by Jim Davis. Garfield the cat has been removed from the picture, leaving Jon talking to himself.

Another popular favorite is The Bloggess, Jenny Lawson‘s Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, a memoir of Jenny’s life starting with her youth in Texas with  her taxidermist father.  And really, aren’t you curious about the cover?

Each month KDL staff join Shelley Irwin on the WGVU Morning Show to talk about what’s going on at the library. This month, listen to Adult Services Librarians Theresa Duffy (Byron Township branch) and Adam Oster (Richard L. Root Kentwood branch) talk about our Happiness Project initiative.

Enjoy!

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download WGVU1-3-13.mp3

(photo courtesy of Shelley Irwin)

Did you know there are an estimated 2,900 students in Kent County who currently are experiencing homelessness?

From January 20 through February 28 all KDL branches will accept small and travel-size hygiene products that will be assembled into kits and distributed in cooperation with the Kent Intermediate School District.

This program is part of KDL’s Happiness Project, an effort to promote happy, healthy, helpful habits throughout Kent County.