What Are Downloadable Audiobooks?  How Does This Work?      Downloading the Overdrive Media Console      Searching for Audiobooks & Checking Them Out      Placing Holds on Audiobooks      Downloading & Playing an Audiobook      ListenNJNW Tutorial ListenNJNW FAQs Supported Devices

What Are Downloadable Audiobooks?

Downloadable audiobooks can be downloaded from the Web to a variety of portable media devices (but not Apple-brand mp3 players).  The Library's new provider of downloadable audiobooks is OverDrive, providing our service through the name ListenNJNW.  Former NetLibrary users will find the setup process a bit different, so anyone who will be using the new service is encouraged to read the information below.  

Back to top

How Does This Work?

You will first need to download a small software file to your computer.  This is easy to do, and you will need the program to download and manage your audiobook files. 

1. Go to the ListenNJNW home page by clicking on the icon on the Library's home page or by clicking here.
2. In the box labeled Getting Started with Digital Media, click on the OverDrive Media Console icon:  
3. Click on the same icon again in the new page that opens up, and then once more.
4. Click Run on the next three messages.   A program will download.
5. Click Next.
6. Click I Agree and Next.
7. Click Next, and then again.   The program will install on your computer.
8. Click Close.
9. You should see the OverDrive Media Consoleicon on your Desktop.

Back to top

Searching for Audiobooks & Checking Them Out

Go back to the ListenNJ NW home page or click again on the box on the Library’s home page.

You can search for a specific title or author using the box on the right-hand side. If you prefer to browse, you have several options, also found on the right-hand side, including View All Audiobooks and Browse by Subject.

Once you have found the audiobook you would like to listen to, click on the Book Jacket. You will then see information about the book:

• a description of the plot;
• whether it is available or on hold;
• what can be done with it once it is downloaded (e.g., transferred to an MP3 player, burned to a CD, listened to on your computer).

If the book is available, click Add to Cart.

If you would like to add another book to your cart, click Continue Browsing.  When you are finished, click Proceed to Checkout and do the following:

• Click on the pull-down menu, and choose Morris Automated Information Network (M.A.I.N. Inc.).
• Type in your library card barcode and your PIN.
• Click Login.
• Click Confirm Check-Out.

You have just checked out an audiobook.  The loan period for all audiobooks is 14 days.                                   

Check-out Tip: If you check out an item and don’t finish it within the 14-day loan period, you may check it out again if it is available, but you do not have to download it again.  It will remain on your computer until you delete it.

Back to top

Placing Holds on Audiobooks

If a title is not available, you may place it on hold.   When the audiobook becomes available, you will be notified by email.

Once notified, you will have three days to check out the title and download it to your PC.   If you do not check out the title within three days, the title will go back into the collection.

Downloading & Playing an Audiobook

• In the OverDrive Media Console, click Download under the Book Jacket.  The ListenNJ NW Media box will pop up.
• Click OK.
• Check off which parts of the audiobook you would like to download. You may download it in parts or all at once.
• Click OK.

The audiobook will now download to your OverDrive Media Console.  You can listen to it on your PC using Windows Media Player, transfer it to a compatible MP3 player, or, if specified, burn it to a CD.

Listening on your PC

Click the PLAY button on the top left of the OverDrive Media Console.  Windows Media Player will open and begin playing your audiobook.

Listening on your MP3 Player

• Plug your MP3 player into a USB port on your computer.
• Click Transfer on the OverDrive Media Console.
• Click OK.  This will bring up Windows Media Player.
• Click on Sync.
• Click on the pull-down menu and choose the title you wish to transfer.
• Check off the parts you wish to transfer to your MP3 player and click Start Sync.

Burning to a CD

• Open the OverDrive Media Console.
• Click Burn.  Windows Media Player will open.
• Click Burn.
• Choose the title of the book you wish to burn to a CD.
• Select 1 Part for each CD you wish to burn.
• Click Start Burn.

Remember — 1 Part burns to 1 CD

ListenNJNW Tutorial

To see an overview of this entire process, click here.

Back to top

ListenNJNW FAQs

What is a “digital audiobook”?
It is a digital version of an audiobook that is rights-protected and optimized for download.

How long will a title in My Cart remain there?  
Once you add a title to My Cart, it will remain there for 30 minutes. After this, the title will be returned to the collection, making it available to others.

How many titles can I have checked out at the same time?  
You can have up to 5 titles checked out at one time. These titles remain on your account for the full borrowing period; you may not return them early.  If you place a book on hold, we recommend that you have no more than 3 other OverDrive titles on your account, so that when your hold comes in, you will be able to check it out.  You will have 3 days to download the book that is on hold before the hold expires.

Once the 14-day lending period is over, what happens to the title I checked out?
Once the lending period has elapsed, the title is automatically “returned” to the library.  Although the file(s) will remain on your machine, they will no longer be accessible to you.

What happens to the title I downloaded once I've finished with it?
The audiobook remains on your computer (even after it has expired) until you manually delete it.  To delete an audiobook, open the OverDrive Media Console.  Locate the audiobook you wish to delete in the Media Library.  Click on the title to select it, then click the Delete button.

Can I renew my items?
Your items cannot be renewed, but you can check them out again if they are available when your checkout expires.  When you check out the title a second time, the license is reactivated.  Simply click the Download button at the OverDrive website to download a new license.  You do not need to download the title a second time if the file is still on your computer.

If you need assistance, please contact the Library at 908-876-3596 or send email to Susan.Clark@wtpl.org.

Supported Devices

For a complete list of compatible devices, go to the ListenNJNW home page and click on Supported Devices.

Back to top