Library
Library Downloadable FAQ
What kind of downloadable books does the Arlington Public Library carry?
Through a digital distribution company called OverDrive, we offer thousands of fiction and nonfiction print-format eBooks, and sound-format eAudiobooks, for adults, teens and children.
We also have thousands of predominantly technical and academic nonfiction eBook titles from a company called EBSCO, which can be read online or downloaded to your computer.
How often does the Library add new eBooks?
New downloadable books are purchased weekly. In addition, our OverDrive collections includes many eAudiobooks which are always available, plus 15,000 public domain eBooks from a non-profit organization called Project Gutenberg, which are also always available - and have no expiration.
Is there are charge to download Library books?
No - All downloadable titles in the our collection are available for FREE with an Arlington Public Library card.
Where can I search for the Library's downloadable titles?
Although you will find tens of thousands of downloadable titles in the Library's catalog, we are constantly adding thousands more, so the full collection can best be found through the OverDrive or EBSCO sites. A good place to start exploring is our eCollection Portal.
Are library downloadable books different from those sold directly to the public?
Yes. Libraries obviously need to be able to lend the downloadable books they purchase so a special license is involved. Some publishers charge libraries higher prices, some limit the number of times a book can be lent, and some provide access on a subscription rather than ownership basis. In addition, libraries also contract with eBook vendors to provide the platform for you to search, borrow or place holds on downloadable books.
All the downloadable books I want to read are checked out. How is this possible, when a digital format can mean limitless availability?
Most publishers prefer to sell downloadable titles just as they sell printed, hard copy versions?by the copy. So when one title is checked out, it may be the only copy the we have. The good news is, the Library has allocated a larger portion of this year?s materials budget to purchase downloadable books. And while bestsellers and other newly published works are in highest demand, there are still many other good titles in the collection. Searching for specific works or authors or limiting your browsing to ?available now? titles can turn up some great items.
Why doesn?t the Library have [desired title] in downloadable form? Why don't you have downloadable versions of all the books in [desired title] series?
Although the Library purchases popular downloadable books as soon as publishers license the rights for digital sale to libraries, not all publishers do so. And not all digital titles are released simultaneously with the book. Luckily, as interest in downloadables has increased, many publishers are going back to secure the digital rights for previously published works, and are making those available for purchase.
How does the Library decide which downloadable books to buy?
The Library?s downloadable book collection is designed to appeal to a wide range of reading interests. As with print books, bestsellers and other newly published works are most in demand. The Library monitors demand through the number of holds for an item ,and purchases additional copies as needed to reduce wait times. In addition to fiction and nonfiction bestsellers, other popular genres include career success, self-help, mysteries, romance and series for children and teens. The Library welcomes suggestions for downloadable titles through our online Materials Purchase Suggestion form.
Can I donate digital books to the Library?
The Library would love to accept digital format donations but due to licensing restrictions, most downloadables are not transferable--unlike hard copy versions. Please consider making a cash donation marked specifically for the purchase of additional downloadables to the "Friends of the Arlington Public Library." For more information on donations, please click here.
What devices work with the Library?s downloadable books?
Many eBooks now work with virtually every popular screen device available from PCs and Macs to laptops, eReaders, tablets and smartphones. eAudiobooks come in two basic formats, MP3 and WMA, which both work with a variety of devices. MP3 tends to more adaptable. The available format(s) will be listed with each title.
For more on all the formats we offer, please click here.
For questions about a particular format, please click here.
- Which Ereaders Work With Library Downloads?
Are you thinking about getting an eReader for the Dad or Grad in your life? If you want your gift to work with the Library's OverDrive collection, be sure to check the list of Library-download compatible eReaders before you shop. What kind of downloadable...
- Board The Digital Bookmobile Sept. 29 At Central
Get the low down on free Library downloads when the Digital Bookmobile stops by Central Library on Wednesday, Sept. 29, from 1 to 7 p.m. Arlington Public Library offers a large and growing collection of text-based eBooks and digital audiobooks - all...
- If I Buy A Kindle, Can I Get Books For It At The Arlington Public Library?
Update April 22, 2011: Amazon has announced that they are working with OverDrive to allow Library eBooks to be read on the Kindle! Sorry, no - the Library does not YET have eBooks compatible with the Kindle. Presently, our downloadable...
- Have You Tried Out Madison Public Library's Digital Collections?
If you haven't given our digital collections a try, you'll find links to all of our downloadable ebooks, audio books, and digital magazines services on our website. Find helpful instructions to all of our downloadable services at this page: http://madisonpubliclibrary.blogspot.com/p/download-ebooks-and-audio-books.html...
- Attention Ebooks Fans
We are adding more eBooks titles to the South Dakota Titles To Go collection. Kindle owners, please note that our downloadable eBooks system now supports your device. South Dakota Titles To Go is powered by Overdrive and features bestselling...
Library
Frequently Asked Questions: Downloadable Books
Library Downloadable FAQ
What kind of downloadable books does the Arlington Public Library carry?
Through a digital distribution company called OverDrive, we offer thousands of fiction and nonfiction print-format eBooks, and sound-format eAudiobooks, for adults, teens and children.
We also have thousands of predominantly technical and academic nonfiction eBook titles from a company called EBSCO, which can be read online or downloaded to your computer.
How often does the Library add new eBooks?
New downloadable books are purchased weekly. In addition, our OverDrive collections includes many eAudiobooks which are always available, plus 15,000 public domain eBooks from a non-profit organization called Project Gutenberg, which are also always available - and have no expiration.
Is there are charge to download Library books?
No - All downloadable titles in the our collection are available for FREE with an Arlington Public Library card.
Where can I search for the Library's downloadable titles?
Although you will find tens of thousands of downloadable titles in the Library's catalog, we are constantly adding thousands more, so the full collection can best be found through the OverDrive or EBSCO sites. A good place to start exploring is our eCollection Portal.
Are library downloadable books different from those sold directly to the public?
Yes. Libraries obviously need to be able to lend the downloadable books they purchase so a special license is involved. Some publishers charge libraries higher prices, some limit the number of times a book can be lent, and some provide access on a subscription rather than ownership basis. In addition, libraries also contract with eBook vendors to provide the platform for you to search, borrow or place holds on downloadable books.
All the downloadable books I want to read are checked out. How is this possible, when a digital format can mean limitless availability?
Most publishers prefer to sell downloadable titles just as they sell printed, hard copy versions?by the copy. So when one title is checked out, it may be the only copy the we have. The good news is, the Library has allocated a larger portion of this year?s materials budget to purchase downloadable books. And while bestsellers and other newly published works are in highest demand, there are still many other good titles in the collection. Searching for specific works or authors or limiting your browsing to ?available now? titles can turn up some great items.
Why doesn?t the Library have [desired title] in downloadable form? Why don't you have downloadable versions of all the books in [desired title] series?
Although the Library purchases popular downloadable books as soon as publishers license the rights for digital sale to libraries, not all publishers do so. And not all digital titles are released simultaneously with the book. Luckily, as interest in downloadables has increased, many publishers are going back to secure the digital rights for previously published works, and are making those available for purchase.
How does the Library decide which downloadable books to buy?
The Library?s downloadable book collection is designed to appeal to a wide range of reading interests. As with print books, bestsellers and other newly published works are most in demand. The Library monitors demand through the number of holds for an item ,and purchases additional copies as needed to reduce wait times. In addition to fiction and nonfiction bestsellers, other popular genres include career success, self-help, mysteries, romance and series for children and teens. The Library welcomes suggestions for downloadable titles through our online Materials Purchase Suggestion form.
Can I donate digital books to the Library?
The Library would love to accept digital format donations but due to licensing restrictions, most downloadables are not transferable--unlike hard copy versions. Please consider making a cash donation marked specifically for the purchase of additional downloadables to the "Friends of the Arlington Public Library." For more information on donations, please click here.
What devices work with the Library?s downloadable books?
Many eBooks now work with virtually every popular screen device available from PCs and Macs to laptops, eReaders, tablets and smartphones. eAudiobooks come in two basic formats, MP3 and WMA, which both work with a variety of devices. MP3 tends to more adaptable. The available format(s) will be listed with each title.
For more on all the formats we offer, please click here.
For questions about a particular format, please click here.
- Which Ereaders Work With Library Downloads?
Are you thinking about getting an eReader for the Dad or Grad in your life? If you want your gift to work with the Library's OverDrive collection, be sure to check the list of Library-download compatible eReaders before you shop. What kind of downloadable...
- Board The Digital Bookmobile Sept. 29 At Central
Get the low down on free Library downloads when the Digital Bookmobile stops by Central Library on Wednesday, Sept. 29, from 1 to 7 p.m. Arlington Public Library offers a large and growing collection of text-based eBooks and digital audiobooks - all...
- If I Buy A Kindle, Can I Get Books For It At The Arlington Public Library?
Update April 22, 2011: Amazon has announced that they are working with OverDrive to allow Library eBooks to be read on the Kindle! Sorry, no - the Library does not YET have eBooks compatible with the Kindle. Presently, our downloadable...
- Have You Tried Out Madison Public Library's Digital Collections?
If you haven't given our digital collections a try, you'll find links to all of our downloadable ebooks, audio books, and digital magazines services on our website. Find helpful instructions to all of our downloadable services at this page: http://madisonpubliclibrary.blogspot.com/p/download-ebooks-and-audio-books.html...
- Attention Ebooks Fans
We are adding more eBooks titles to the South Dakota Titles To Go collection. Kindle owners, please note that our downloadable eBooks system now supports your device. South Dakota Titles To Go is powered by Overdrive and features bestselling...