Recorded Books Downloadable Audio book Guide

What are Downloadable Audiobooks?

Downloadable audio books from NetLibrary and Recorded Books are digital versions of the latest fiction and nonfiction best sellers, book club favorites, award winning authors and more that you can download and listen to on your PC or portable listening device (compatible with Windows Media Player version 9.0 and above). Additional content includes the Pimsleur Language Program and the Bible.

To access downloadable audio books in the NetLibrary Audiobooks Center, you will need to set up a NetLibrary account using your valid library card. You may create a free NetLibrary account remotely or at a public library within Allegheny County. Once you have established your NetLibrary account, you can search for audio books, preview titles, and check out your favorites. Please note that eAudio books can be enjoyed at home, at work, or when you travel, but are currently not for use on the computers in the library.

Searching for an Audiobook

You can access the collection from the link above, or go to http://www.einetwork.net/netlibrary.cfm. You will be prompted to enter the barcode from a valid library card.

Basic Search on the NetLibrary webpage lets you quickly perform a search by entering terms and selecting a single search field. You may choose to search for your terms in the Keyword, Title, or Author fields. Basic search is featured on the home page and is also available on the right side of every page with the exception of the advanced search page.

1. Enter search term in the Basic Search field.
2. Select keyword, title, or author.
3. Click search.

Advanced Search lets you construct more complicated searches using multiple fields and Boolean operators (i.e. and, or, not).

1. Click on the Advanced Search tab located in the top navigation.
2. Use to the drop down menu to select search parameter (Title, Author, Subject, ISBN).
3. Enter search term or multiple search terms using Boolean operators.
4. Click search.

The Audiobooks Center, available by clicking on the Audiobooks Center link on the NetLibrary home page, allows you to limit searches to audiobook content and browse featured titles.

Tip: You can access the Recorded Books eAudio collection from The Catalog (online catalog) using the Advanced Keyword search with a Material Type limit of eAudio.

Checking out an Audiobook

The checkout period for a Downloadable Audiobook is three weeks. You may check out a maximum of ten audiobook titles at one time. Please do not download audiobooks to public computers in your library.

1. From search results, click on the Download this Audiobook link to Open or Save the audiobook file.
2. Select a download option: CD quality, or radio quality. Radio quality provides faster download speed and is ideal for users with dial-up connections; CD quality offers highfidelity playback for patrons with high-speed Internet access.
3. If you select Open, NetLibrary will download the title and launch your media player. Click the play button to listen to the Audiobook. The Save option allows you to download the file to a directory of your choosing. Once the download is complete, you can open the audiobook directly from your media player, or by using Windows Explorer.

Creating an Account

You can search and browse for audiobooks and listen to previews at home or in your library. However, to download and listen to audiobooks, you must first create a free NetLibrary account. (You'll be prompted to do so, when you try to check out an audiobook.) Please note eAudio books are not for use on the computers in the library.

1. Select the Create a Free Account link, located in the upper right corner of the NetLibrary website.
2. Enter your identifying information (user name, password, email address).
3. Select the submit button.

Logging in

Once you have created an account, you can log in to your library's collection from any computer with Internet access.

1. Select the Log in link in the upper right corner of the NetLibrary website and enter your username and password in the log in box.
2. Click the red log in button.
3. You now have access to all audiobooks available in your library's collection.

Renewing an Audiobook

Once an audiobook has been downloaded, it can be renewed at any time.

1. Log into your NetLibrary account.
2. Click on the My checked out Items link.
3. Click on Renew this Audiobook.

If you are attempting to access an audiobook with an expired license from your media player, NetLibrary will launch a pop-up browser that will prompt you to log in to renew your checkout.

1. Enter your username and password.
2. Click the log in button.
3. Your license will automatically be renewed.
4. Click play to listen to the audiobook.

Transferring an Audiobook to a Portable Device

You can use your media player to transfer a downloaded audiobook to portable devices supporting secure WMA format. NetLibrary automatically transfers a license to your portable device that will allow you to access the audiobook for up to three weeks from the date of original checkout. Please refer to your media player's help section for additional information.

Finding help

Detailed information on using NetLibrary is available by clicking on the Help tab in the top navigation bar.

For additional assistance, contact NetLibrary 24 hour tech support 1-800-848-5800.