Formats and Devices

Devices

The audiobooks and eBooks from the NHDB service are compatible with many different eBook readers and audio players -- but not all devices. OverDrive has a Device Resource Center page, but it's helpful to understand the different formats before heading over to the DRC. When using the DRC page, be sure to take note of the shaded and highlighted icons. A shaded icon means that the device will not work with a specific format.
Format Information

WMA Audiobooks

WMA audiobooks are digital versions of the books on cassette tape or CD that your local library lends. The audiobooks are read by professional readers. They can be played from a PC or transferred to a compatible audio player to be enjoyed on the go.
  • WMA stands for Windows Media Audio. Due to the format and the addition of Digital Rights Management (DRM), these audiobooks can only be downloaded to a Windows computer (PC) and transferred to a WMA compatible audio player.
  • WMA audiobooks cannot be downloaded directly to phones, but with the use of iTunes (and the OverDrive Media Console for Windows), WMA audiobooks can be transferred from a PC to an iPod.
  • The WMA audiobooks are the most popular audiobook format in the collection.
  • All audiobooks circulate for seven days.
  • WMA audiobooks cannot be returned to the collection early. 
 
MP3 Audiobooks

MP3 audiobooks are digital versions of the books on cassette tape or CD that your local library lends. The audiobooks are read by professional readers. They can be played from a PC or a Mac, and they, too, can be transferred to a compatible audio player to be enjoyed on the go.
Need help deciding which format of audiobook to check out? Read more about choosing between the WMA and MP3 format.
Adobe EPUB eBooks
 
Adobe EPUB ebooks are digital versions of printed books that can be read on a variety of electronic reading devices like the Nook, Kobo, iPad, Google Nexus, and many different types of phones. The Adobe EPUB format has Adobe DRM.
  • The EPUB eBooks can be downloaded and read on a PC or a Mac and transferred to a compatible device.
  • The EPUB eBooks included Digital Rights Management (DRM); the DRM is managed by the software Adobe Digital Editions.
  • Both PC and Mac users may download and install Adobe Digital Editions and authenticate their computers with an Adobe ID to read Adobe EPUB eBooks on their computer or transfer the eBook to their compatible Nook, Sony, or Kobo device. 
  • The Adobe ID used to authenticate the computer must be the same ID used to authenticate all mobile reading devices. Note that a maximum of three computers and three mobile devices can be authorized with the same Adobe ID.
  • EPUB eBooks can be downloaded directly to many devices with the use of the mobile website and the OverDrive Media Console app for iOS or Android.
  • EPUB titles circulate for 14 days and can be returned early through the OverDrive Media Console, Adobe Digital Editions (for PC or Mac), or through the OverDrive Media Console mobile app or Bluefire Reader mobile app.

Open EPUB eBooks

Open EPUB ebooks are digital versions of printed books that can be read on a variety of electronic reading devices like the Nook, Kobo, iPad, Google Nexus, and many different types of phones. The Open EPUB eBooks have no DRM.
  • The Open EPUB eBooks can be downloaded and read on a PC or a Mac and transferred to a compatible device using Adobe Digital Editions.
  • The Open EPUB eBooks have no DRM (Digital Rights Management).
  • Open EPUB eBooks can be downloaded directly to many devices with the use of the mobile Web site and the OverDrive Media Console app for iOS or Android.
  • Open EPUB titles circulate for 14 days and cannot be returned early.

Kindle Books

Kindle Books are digital versions of printed books that can be read on a Kindle device or a Kindle app compatible with numerous smart phones like the iPhone, Android phones, Blackberries, etc.
  • Most, but not all, of the eBooks in our collection are compatible with Kindles.
  • The Kindle Books must be used with a Kindle device or app. They cannot be transferred to a dedicated reader that uses the EPUB format (like the Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, etc.).
  • Note that Kindle Books published by Penguin cannot be used on a Kindle Book and must be transferred to a Kindle reader via USB.
  • Kindle apps can be installed on a wide variety of Apple, Android, Blackberry, and Windows smart phones and tablet devices. 
  • The Kindle Books can be returned early to the collection through the user's "Manage My Kindle" page.
  • Learn more about enjoying Kindle Books.

OverDrive READ 

OverDrive READ is a browser-based format that allows you to read the eBook on your computer or mobile web browser.
  • There is no Adobe ID required.
  • There is no additional app required (beyond a compatible web browser).
  • Use the OverDrive READ eBook on a computer, tablet, or phone.
  • Not all web browsers work well with the OverDrive READ format. If the page doesn't render well, stick with the Kindle Book or EPUB format.
  • OverDrive READ eBooks can be returned early from the NHDB Site >> Account >> Bookshelf, unless another format has been selected, in which you will return the Kindle Book or Adobe EPUB eBook.
Viewing Formats on Mobile Devices

Note that all formats may not be displayed on your mobile device. For instance, when you view the site on an iPad or Android tablet, you will not see the WMA audiobook format because it is not possible to download a WMA audiobook directly an Apple device or even listen to the WMA audiobook on an Android device. Nook browsers will not display the Kindle Book format, as the Nook is not compatible with Kindle Books, etc. iPhone users will not see the Kindle Book format either. If you wish to read a Kindle Book on an iPhone, you must check it out on a computer and send the Kindle Book to the iPhone.

All formats can be viewed on a desktop or laptop computer. Mac users should take care to select MP3 audiobooks.
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