Adam Z Lein at pocketnow.com has an informative article about how public libraries offer all kinds of DOWNLOADABLE digital content including movies, music, audio books, and eBooks. I didn’t know about this until I saw the article so I decided to do some checking on my own. Your library might do the same. For the most part you will need your Library card number and PIN. I checked mine, and it turns out that the Greater Phoenix Library system does offer downloads. I conducted a quick grab and check out so I could tell you how well these work.
It works just like a physical library, there are only so many copies allowed to be checked out at a time and each for a specific period of time. The movies, music and audio books are authorized via the Overdrive Media Console, so you will need that on your computer before you can transfer to your Shadow. The eBooks can come in Adobe Reader format (which is already installed on the Shadow) or MobiPocket MobiReader format. For Adobe Reader format you will probably need the Digital Editions Desktop software, and an Adobe ID.
Once I checked out I was able to access the ‘Digital Bookshelf’ and download my goodies. I noticed there were two versions of the movie I checked out. One for desktop and a mobile version. Since we are interested in mobile stuff I clicked the mobile version. Right from the start it asked me to upgrade Windows Media Player OH NO!. Not a problem though because it made it super easy. Once you download the Overdrive Media Console, run it and select Tools > Windows Media Player Security Upgrade. It took less than 30 seconds to complete the ‘upgrade.’
It then asks where to download to, I selected my Windows Mobile Video folder I have set up. The download size was 370 MB and the download speed wasn’t too shabby at less than 10 minutes. You will need to have a sync partnership established with desktop Windows Media Player before the Overdrive Media Console will sync the movie. Be sure to choose to sync to the Storage Card from the Overdrive Media Console as well. Remember that sync and transfers go quicker over a wired connection versus a Bluetooth connection.
The movie took less than 30 minutes to transfer for your reference.
The Audio Book didn’t take long to transfer as well.
I was able to transfer to downloaded music as well. It’s not exactly Rhapsody but for those of us with limited budgets sometimes it’s nice to check out some random music.
The Audio Book, Music and Movie all played simple as can be once transferred.
I think this is a wonderful public service and can be very useful considering the wide variety of material available for download. The audio and eBooks cover every subject and can help make a long plane/train ride or business trip more comfortable.
Sources: pocketnow.com
Overdrive
Adobe
Adobe Digital Editions
Mobipocket
Greater Phoenix Digital Library
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June 4th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Wow… Its nice to know that. There are sites like this. Do you know if this is the ACTUALL Library from the city. or just some random Library of files site ?
Because if this is how government librarys are going to be run in the future, input your library card # and download away. thats what i want to see. im looking at a big picture and not the small on we have here. one day. im sorry for turning this the way i did.
June 4th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
lol, no problem that’s what comments are for! I was really surprised and like what I saw. The Phoenix library system is pretty good considering how spread out the city is. The Scottsdale libraries look like 4 and 5 star hotels. It makes sense in a lot of ways to offer this. Save a lot of money in so many ways: paper for books, , gas in cars, a parking lot, building maintenance etc. Plus no late fees!
Additionally it creates more jobs while providing a valuable service.
A little off subject but what I really want is to be able to pay $5 or less to watch a Newly released (in theaters) movie in my own home without having to turn to torrents. Maybe Tivo should get on this.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
yeah. I could see the files being encrypted but i wouldnt mind.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
Wow! Awesome stuff, think i’ll renew my phx library card tomorrow and give it a try
June 5th, 2008 at 12:21 am
I’m glad I tried this. I found some good music through my random clicking and downloading. Big Twist and The Mellow Fellows. The alubm I downloaded was ‘Playing for Keeps’
June 9th, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I tried it out and loaded an audio book. Pretty neat stuff and easy to work. It does work like a real library, even having to place a hold the ebooks/audio/video. Up and down side to that, since some of the stuff I wanted to load had 2 library copies and 32 holds on it, yuck. But nonetheless i have something new to listen to at work.