Penguin Group halting new additions to Overdrive

November 24, 2011 | Niall | Comments (0)

It was just announced that Penguin publishers will be halting distribution of newly-released titles to the Overdrive service, citing security concerns.  Access to all older Penguin ebooks has been restored, however.  The 'Get For Kindle' option was also recently removed, but this does not affect Canadian libraries since Kindle versions are not provided through Overdrive currently.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2396845,00.asp

Users who are seeking new Penguin ebooks may not find the materials they are looking for until this issue is resolved. We will make further notifications as news arrives.

 

 

How to use the Kobo Vox to download TPL materials

November 17, 2011 | Niall | Comments (2)

The Kobo Vox is one of the latest offerings of the many available eReader/Tablet devices.  To access and read library materials through the Vox you must use the OverDrive app since, as an Android tablet, it does not currently support Adobe Digital Editions.

Installing OverDrive Media Console on the Kobo Vox:

  •  Make sure your VOX is connected to a Wi Fi network 

  • Tap the Home icon  

  • Tap All Apps  

  • Tap Browser 
  • Agree to the terms at the bottom of the page - the download will start
  • After the download is complete open the notifications bar by dragging down from the top, or tap the Menu icon and tap Notifications
  • Tap on the Overdrive download (ODMediaConsoleSetup.apk) in order to install
  • Tap Install
  • Tap Open once the installation is complete
  • Tap Close in the About OverDrive Media Console window
  • OverDrive is installed in the All Apps section

Once you have the application installed you will have to register your OverDrive Media Console for Android. See Instructions for Registering your Device.

For more information on using OverDrive Media Console, please see the OverDrive Support Pages.

Date and Time Settings

Another important aspect of using this device is that users should ensure that they have set the proper time zone.   When it is not set correctly, you may have problems opening ebooks since your device may report that new items have already expired.

To change the date and time:

  • Tap the Home button 

  • Tap the All Apps  

  • Tap Settings

  • Scroll down and tap Date & time

  • Tap Set date

  • Enter the current month, date, and year

  • Tap Set to save your settings.

  • Tap Select time zone

  • Select the time zone youʼre currently in (GMT-5:00 EST)

  • Tap Set time

Managing your digital holds

November 17, 2011 | Niall | Comments (0)

Is your eBook or eAudiobook not available? Place it on hold.

Sometimes it is case that you find no available titles of the digital materials you seek. Due to publisher’s restrictions, the library may lend out only a limited number of copies of digital materials, just as if they were print materials.

However, like printed materials, you may place items ‘on hold’ so that you may check them out once they become available.

How do I place items on hold?

When viewing a particular item in Overdrive you will see how many available copies exist.  When 0 copies are available you’ll also see how many patrons are currently on the waiting list.

  1

Use the ‘Place a Hold’ button to add your name to the waiting list.  You’ll be prompted to log in with your library card number and pin if you haven’t already. You’ll also be asked to confirm your email address.

What happens when I place an item on hold?

A title you place on hold will be reserved for you to check out once it becomes available. You can place up to 10 titles on hold at a time. When the title is available for you, we will email you instructions on checking the item out.

The item will be held for you for 4 days after we email you.

How can I view my holds?

Log in to the Overdrive home page  http://toronto.lib.overdrive.com
 
Click the Account tab – if you aren’t logged in already, you’ll be prompted to log in with your library card number and pin.  
 
Click the 'My Holds' link. 

2

The titles that you have currently placed on hold are displayed. 

How can I check out my holds?

If you have received a notification that your holds that are available they will have an 'Add to Cart' option at the very right of them, while unavailable holds will have the 'Remove | Edit' options. Select 'Add to cart'

You will be directed to your cart, and your hold will no longer be in the Holds section but will be transferred to your cart.   Items in your cart have a 30 minute time limit to check out.

  3

 Click 'Proceed to checkout', then select a loan option from the pull-down menu: 7, 14, or 21 days.  When you have selected your loan period, click  'Confirm Check Out'.
4

A download link appears allowing you to download it to your computer. There is no need to immediately download it.  The item is kept in your Bookshelf under the 'Account' section, and will be available for download during the lending period. 

How can I cancel my holds?

When you are viewing your Holds in the Account section, items still unavailable will have a ‘Remove| Edit’ link next to them.  Select ‘Remove’ to cancel the hold on the item.

  5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toronto Public Library Website ** Services Restored

October 31, 2011 | Dara Renton | Comments (70)

**Services restored as of 4:15 PM**

Great news: the website is back up! We apologize for the inconvenience which was triggered by the recent US snowstorm (fuller explanation to follow). Related to this problem, you will notice that book cover images and summaries are not available. Thanks for your patience.

Our main website is still unavailable. Technology staff are working to restore services as a top priority.

We know this is very inconvenient for you and we sincerely apologize for the prolonged outage. Here are a few links * you may find useful in the meantime. 

* Library card required

 

Looking for another database?

Comment below and we'll add more links. 

 

Looking for a library branch or a branch phone number?

Google Map of Toronto Public Library Branches

 

Worried about getting fines?

You can renew items by telephone at 416-395-5505. For other information about your account contact or visit your local branch.

 

Information about contacting the Library

  • If you are a member of the media and/or would like board reports or other information, please email media@torontopubliclibrary.ca 
  • For Information about events in branches call Answerline at 416-393-7131.
  • For Information about Appel Salon events at the Toronto Reference Library, call 416-393-7001

We hope to have this resolved as soon as possible, thank you for your patience and understanding. 

---

Updated Monday 5:45 PM with information about fines.

Updated Tues 11:50 AM with Naxos Music Library

Updated Tues 4:15 PM with services restored message


Returning eBooks and eAudiobooks

October 19, 2011 | Niall | Comments (2)

You’ve finally finished reading your latest eBook from TPL and want to make it available for other library users.  Or, you’ve reached your checkout limit and want to free up space for additional checkouts.

Many people are wondering, is it possible to return eBooks early? The answer is, absolutely!

 

If you are using Adobe Digital Editions on a Windows or Mac-based desktop computer, the icon for a title in your bookshelf view will have a small triangle (Item Options) at the top left of it, which when clicked will show a pull-down menu, including "Return Borrowed Item". Select this to return the item and have it removed from your bookshelf.

Click here for more detailed instruction on returning EPUB eBooks.  

Click here for more detailed instruction on returning PDF eBooks.

If you are using Sony Reader Library on a desktop computer, you can right-click the icon for the title and you will see the same "Return borrowed item" option in the menu.

If you are using the OverDrive Media Console app for iOS/Android/Windows Mobile/Blackberry, when you go to delete a title from your bookshelf, a menu will pop up that includes the option "Return & Delete" allowing you to return items early.  Click here for further instruction. 

 

Returning eAudiobooks

Due to publisher licensing agreements OverDrive eAudiobooks such as WMA or MP3 files cannot be returned early. They will be automatically returned to the library at the end of the lending period. 


A note on lending periods

The lending period for eBooks is usually 21 days, but you can adjust this to 7 or 14 day periods when checking out materials in Overdrive.  Additionally, you can set personalized default lending period(s) on a format-by-format basis at the 'Lending Periods' page in your Overdrive Account. The mobile version of this site uses the default lending period you specify at the 'Lending Periods' page.

 

Problem with OverDrive audiobooks for iPhone/iPod/iPad users

October 17, 2011 | Dara Renton | Comments (5)

What's the problem?

eAudiobooks in .wma format downloaded from our OverDrive service cannot be successfully transferred to Apple devices. The file names show up as numeric strings, and iTunes returns a message saying that the files cannot be synced.

 

What devices are affected?

  • iPod Touch
  • iPhone
  • iPad

 

What is causing the problem?

The problem appears to be related to an incompatibility between OverDrive Media Console and iOS 5 (the newest version of the operating system for Apple mobile devices, which was released on October 12)  and/or the latest version of iTunes (version 10.5, released on October 11).

 

When and how will this be fixed?

OverDrive has not provided an estimate of the time it will take to fix the problem. When they have a solution, they will release an update to the OverDrive Media Console. Watch for updates from the app store when you sync your device in iTunes.

 

What can I do in the meantime?

If you have a regular (non-Apple) MP3 player or a Blackberry, Windows, or Android device, you can listen to your eAudiobooks from OverDrive on that.

You can also try using MP3 audiobooks from OverDrive. (The problem only affects .wma audiobooks.)

We apologize for the inconvenience and hope this issue will be resolved very soon.

Library eBooks - not on Kindle in Canada yet

September 22, 2011 | Dara Renton | Comments (8)

You may have seen some of the news coverage and online buzz about libraries offering Kindle-compatible eBooks through the OverDrive service. Kindle-compatible eBooks for libraries are a new service that just launched yesterday (September 21) in the U.S. only.

Unfortunately, Kindle-compatible eBooks are not yet an option for Canadian libraries.

Toronto Public Library will continue to monitor developments in this area. In the meantime, the EPUB eBooks available through our OverDrive service are compatible with a range of eReaders, tablets, and smartphones, including:

  • Kobo
  • Sony Reader
  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Blackberry
  • Samsung Galaxy
  • Motorola Xoom

See the complete list of compatible devices on OverDrive’s site.

Changes to the NetLibrary eBook and eAudiobook service

July 21, 2011 | Dara Renton | Comments (2)

The NetLibrary eBook and eAudiobook service is ceasing operation this week. The content provided by NetLibrary will now be provided by two new services: OneClick Digital eAudiobooks and Ebsco eBooks.

eAudiobooks will be returning on Saturday, July 23rd as OneClick Digital. eBooks will be returning next week as Ebsco eBooks.

We apologize for any inconvenience during the temporary interruption in service.

We'll provide more information about the new services shortly.

Web Team breaks awkward silence, launches website improvements

June 21, 2011 | Dara Renton | Comments (5)

Patient readers, we know we've been out of touch for a long time - pretty much ever since we launched the new website last August. What's been keeping us too busy to blog? For one thing, we've been listening to your feedback about the new site - many thanks to everyone who has posted on this blog or shared your comments through other channels. We've also had our hands full helping some of the many people who have started using the library's eBook services. (Did you get a shiny new eReader/tablet/smartphone over the holidays last year? We can tell.)

EBooks-traffic-graph

If, like Janet Jackson circa 1986, you're asking "What have you done for me lately?", we have some good news. We've been working on a few improvements to the website that are now available.

  • Dates when new DVDs will be available for placing holds: You asked for it, and here it is: new feature DVDs become holdable six months after the library acquires them, and now the record for each DVD includes the date when it will be available for holds.

No hold dvd date

  • Mega-menus for faster, easier navigation: We've introduced mega-menus to help you go directly to the section of the site you want. The menus include links to many of the most popular pages on the site.

  Mega-menu

 

  • Share an item by email: Found something great on the library website? Email it to a friend (or to yourself). The email will contain all the relevant details about the item. Books, movies, music, library branches, library programs/events - all can be shared quickly and easily via email.

Email-page

Email-item

Other things we've been working on include a project to integrate digitized books and images from the library's Special Collections into the website and a major application server migration.

And we haven't forgotten about some of the other things you've been asking for:

  • A “wish list” feature
  • Enhancements to search, including type-ahead
  • A mobile version of the site
  • An online purchase request form
  • Online fine payment

A project to improve Your Account features and accessibility is just getting underway.

Please keep your feedback coming - input from you helps us prioritize upcoming improvements.

Updated issues resolved

January 11, 2011 | Dara Renton | Comments (9)

Updated: 4:07 PM The website is no longer experiencing problems. Thank you for your patience.

We are experiencing problems with our website. We will provide more information as it is known.

Thanks for your patience.