eMedia Help and FAQs
Frequently asked questions, explanations and assistance regarding eMedia.
What is an eAudiobook?
These are electronic versions of books found on tape or CD. You can download eAudiobooks 24 hours a day, seven days a week to your portable listening device. MLC Overdrive eAudiobooks are checked out for 7 or 14 days.
What is an eBook?
An eBook is a book that you can read on your computer, laptop, or mobile device. At any one time, you may have up to 10 titles checked out. OverDrive eBooks may be checked out for 7 or 14 days.
What is an eVideo?
An eVideo is a video that you can download and view on your computer or laptop. Over 500 eVideos are available, separated into categories such as Action & Adventure, Children's Videos, and Classic Films. Titles are checked out for 7 days, then are automatically returned to the library.
What if I need assistance getting started?
If you need detailed assistance, OverDrive has very good help documentation.
What is OverDrive?
As a member of the Michigan Library Consortium, the Capital Area District Library has access to OverDrive, a digital download service. OverDrive is a platform for audiobooks, eBooks, music, and video that simplifies the browse and download experience. The OverDrive Media Console, a free, downloadable software, enhances usability and portability of audiobooks, music, and video with advanced navigation, transfer wizard (to supported mobile devices), and accessibility features.
Help, I can’t login to my OverDrive account!
If you have library fines/fees of over $10 or if your library account is expired, you will not be able to access our OverDrive service. Once your fines are under $10 and your account is renewed, you will be able to use this service. Please contact any of our branches if you have questions about your library account.
What devices will work with e-Audiobooks?
What is the difference between the mp3 format and wma format for audiobooks?
The WMA format titles contain Digital Rights Management software and are smaller in size and download faster than the MP3 format. Also, there are over 3,000 titles in the WMA format and 300 in MP3 format. But, if you would like to listen to the audiobook on an iPod or iPhone, it must be in MP3 format.
Will iPods work?
iPods and iPhones will work with MP3 titles available through OverDrive. If you would like to download a title to your iPod or iPhone, make sure that it is in MP3 format and not WMA format. There is an icon next to the item that will display its available formats.
Will Macs work?
Yes, you can now use Macs to download OverDrive MP3 titles. You will need to download the OverDrive software to your Macintosh computer.
How much storage capacity should my MP3 player have?
Both of our vendors recommend that your player has a storage capacity of at least 128 MB. The average size of an eAudiobook is about 80 - 90 MB (5 hours of audiobook content).
Can I download eMedia at the library?
While you may browse this collection and checkout eMedia titles, we ask that you not download files to a library PC. Also, please note that OverDrive Video is a high speed Internet-only product.
What software do I need?
Software you may need in order to use eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eVideos - Learn more about the software for eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eVideos.
What do we have?
- Complete eBooks Collection - Browse a list of all eBooks in our catalog
- Complete eAudiobooks Collection - Browse a list of all eAudiobooks in our catalog
