Use
NetLibrary to access thousands of electronic books and
downloadable audiobooks for free!
- Create a free NetLibrary account, then access free electronic books from any computer with web access.
- Signing up at the library: To create an account from a library catalog computer, select "Research" and then "NetLibrary." To create an account from a library Internet computer, simply go to NetLibrary at www.netlibrary.com.
- Signing up from outside the library: If you have a valid library card from Dakota County Library or South St. Paul Library, you may also create an account from outside the library. (If this doesn't work for you, see these access tips, or visit the library to sign up.)
- For more information please ask library staff for assistance.
- NetLibrary is sponsored by ELM (Electronic Library for Minnesota) and Dakota County Library.
Downloadable Audio eBooks – Connect, Click and Listen!
- Downloadable audio eBooks are digital versions of audiobooks.
- Download audio eBooks directly to your personal computer.
- The eBooks can be transferred to your portable digital media player or iPod.
How it works
Create a free NetLibrary account (see instructions above)
Once an account has been established, you can access the audio eBook collection remotely. (You'll also have access to the full-text eBook collection.)
1) Connect
a. Click on the NetLibrary/Recorded Books link in a Dakota County Library catalog record for an audio eBook. Audio eBooks are listed in the catalog under the subject heading "Downloadable audio books."
- or -
b. Go to NetLibrary/Recorded Books site directly to access the downloadable audio eBook catalog (http://www.netlibrary.com/).
2) Search
Use NetLibrary’s basic or advanced search tools to find the audio eBook you want to download.
3) Download
Once you have decided on a book to download to your personal PC or laptop, choose CD or radio quality.
- CD quality offers high-fidelity playback for patrons with high-speed Internet access. You must download CD quality if you plan to transfer the file to a portable media player.
- Radio quality provides smaller files with shorter download times, but cannot be transferred to a portable media player.
You will not be able to burn a disc from the download or transfer the download to the Internet.
4) Acquire a license
When you play the file for the first time, you will be re-connected to NetLibrary to acquire a license. Login with your NetLibrary account information. The license will be downloaded automatically and playback will begin. Each downloaded audio eBook will require its own license.
5) Things to know
- You may check out up to ten audio eBooks at one time.
- The file is active for three weeks.
- After the check out period, the license will automatically expire. The license can be renewed once during the three weeks without downloading.
- Personal wireless laptops may be used to download and transfer files in the library.
- Each eAudiobook is available in one of the two formats: MP3 format or protected WMA format.
- To learn more about WMA and MP3files and devices that support them, see the NetLibrary hardware and software tips or visit Windows Media Plays for Sure. If you already have a device, please consult the product documentation.
- Technical questions concerning this service should be directed to NetLibrary
6) Additional Tips
Playing eAudiobooks on a MacMedia Center and the NetLibrary website do not support eAudiobook downloads to a Mac. However, you can play an eAudiobook on a Mac, depending on the format of the audio file.
Each eAudiobook is available in one of the two formats: MP3 format or protected WMA format.
MP3 format. MP3 files can be played on a Mac, provided that you can relocate the file to the Mac yourself.
Protected WMA format. Protected WMA files cannot be played on a Mac.
Selecting a Device
NetLibrary eAudiobooks are provided in two sound qualities, CD (34 kbps) and Radio (4 kbps) quality. When selecting a device you should make certain the device supports playback of at least 32 kbps files. In order to be considered a device that works with NetLibrary eAudiobooks, the only requirement is that the device must be able to support playback of secure or protected WMA files.
To have an optimal experience when listening to a NetLibrary eAudiobook, it is recommended that you select devices that support features such as bookmarking and full time stamping. Also, devices with a storage capacity of:
- 500 MB – 1 GB for 1-5 audiobooks
- 2GB + for 2 + audiobooks and music
are recommended since the average CD quality eAudiobook file size is 140 MB.
Placing a Bookmark
Sometimes you are listening to a song, or perhaps a long recording, and would like to be able to pick up from this point at another time. Some portable listening devices have a specific function for this known as a Bookmark, while others do not. Devices that support bookmarking allow you to designate a place within a file and return to that place. Check your instruction manual or manufacture for information and instructions on this. If bookmarking is not possible you can often pause the recording, and turn the device off. To resume from the same place, simply turn the device on and press play.