Digital Media
eBooks, eAudiobooks, Streaming Music, and More
| Downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks |
| Software and hardware requirements for eBooks and eAudiobooks |
| Other digital media |
Downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks
eBooks and eAudiobooks can be downloaded from the North Suburban Digital Consortium.
A guided tour is available explaining how to download eBooks and eAudiobooks. You must have the free Adobe Flash® Player installed to view the guided tour.
Questions and answers
- What is the North Suburban Digital Consortium?
The North Suburban Digital Consortium is a service that allows patrons to download eAudiobooks and eBooks to their computers and digital devices from home. In addition to Skokie Public Library, seven other Chicago north suburban libraries belong to the Consortium. - How do I access the North Suburban Digital Consortium?
Access the Consortium directly at nsdc.lib.overdrive.com. - Who can use the the North Suburban Digital Consortium?
Only Skokie Public Library patrons (or patrons of one of the other libraries in the Consortium) can use this service. A valid Skokie library card number is required in order to check out materials. - Can I download audiobooks to my iPod?
There is a collection of MP3 audiobooks that are compatible with iPod and all other MP3 players. Several publishers have allowed most of the WMA format eAudiobooks to be also downloaded to iPods. Note the icons listed with each item description to determine which eAudiobooks are iPod-compatible.
- Can I burn audiobooks to a CD?
Yes. Look for the icon next to the item description to determine which titles may be burned to CD. - What is a ‘PID’? Where do I find my Mobipocket Reader PID?
A PID (Personal Identifier) is a unique identifier for your copy of Mobipocket Reader. To view your PID, open Mobipocket Reader and choose Help > About from the Mobipocket Reader menu. Your PID is ten characters in length and may include both letters and numbers. Each account may have three PIDs to use multiple devices, including PCs, smartphones, and eBook readers. - How many titles can I have checked out at the same time?
You can have up to fifteen titles of any combination of eBook formats and/or eAudiobooks checked out at any given time. - Why can’t the digital books be downloaded using the Library’s computers?
Library computers and software have been modified to restrict or delete personalization done to any installed programs. While this is done to protect patron privacy, it prevents users from downloading eBooks and eAudiobooks.
Please note: You can download digital books to your own laptop while inside the Library using the Library’s wireless connection. You may also use the Library’s dedicated Download Station in the Readers Services Department to download eAudioboooks to your portable device. - If I’m having a problem with downloading who can I contact?
As a first step, select the Digital Catalog Help section of the consortium site. Many of your questions can be answered in the FAQs listed there. If further assistance is needed, send an email describing your problem to askrs@skokielibrary.info and we'll do our best to help.
Software and Hardware Requirements for eBooks and eAudiobooks
All required software is free to download and can be accessed at the North Suburban Digital Consortium website.
- Adobe Digital Editions
Required for reading Adobe eBooks. Please note that Adobe Reader is not the same software as Adobe Acrobat. eBooks in this format may be read on PCs, Macs, and laptops. In addition you will need a current version of Adobe Flash Player installed. The first time that you open Adobe Digital Editions, you must activate the program. Adobe Digital Editions can be activated anonymously, or by using an Adobe ID. - Mobipocket Reader
Required for reading Mobipocket eBooks. Used for about 20% of eBooks, ebooks in this format may be read on Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista as well as Smartphones and most PDAs (for example, a Blackberry). - OverDrive Media Console
Required for listening to all digital audiobooks. Various versions of this software may be downloaded to your PC, Mac, or mobile device. You must have this software installed before you download an eAudiobook.
North Suburban Digital Consortium eAudiobooks work with a variety of devices, including iPods, Zunes, and a variety of smartphones. Please consult this compatibility list to see if your device will work properly.
North Suburban Digital Consortium eBooks are compatible with any eBook reader or mobile device that syncs with Adobe Digital Editions. This includes the Barnes & Noble nook and all models of the Sony Reader. The Amazon Kindle is not currently capable of playing eBooks from our collection.
Other Digital Media
Thousands of free eBooks can be found at the Online Books Page, an index maintained by the University of Pennsylvania library. This resource gathers links to classic works of literature and public domain titles from Project Gutenberg, the Internet Archive, and many other websites.
The following resources may be accessed from any computer with a Skokie Public Library card.
- American History in Video
Over 5,000 documentary films track every era in American history. Programs from A&E, The History Channel, and the Biography Channel are included in the collection. Video clips can be embedded for use in on external websites and multimedia presentations. - Gale Virtual Reference Library
A database of more than two hundred full-text reference sources for research. Areas covered include arts, biography, business, history, literature, medicine, and more. At one time, these reference materials were accessible only in print form from within the Library, but are now available online. - Music Online from Alexander Street Press
Hundreds of thousands of musical pieces for listening online. Genres from classical to jazz, from American roots to international music are represented. Liner notes and information on composers are included for most items in the collection. Users who choose to register can save playlists for repeated listening. - Naxos Music Library
A collection of over 30,000 CDs that can be listened to on your computer. The music is mostly in the classical genre with a small amount of jazz and world music. Background and educational material is also included. Users who create a login can also create playlists of their favorite tracks. - Naxos Music Library – Jazz
Stream over 22,000 tracks representing the Naxos and Fantasy jazz labels. Includes jazz, international jazz, R&B, and blues music. - Safari Books Online
A collection of over 1,600 eBooks covering current topics in computing and information technology. Includes titles from O'Reilly, Sams, Microsoft Press, Que, and IBM. - TumbleBook Library for Kids
An online collection of animated, talking picture books, puzzles, and quizzes especially for children. Stories are adapted from existing picture books and can be enjoyed in English, Spanish, or Chinese languages. - TumbleTalking Books
An online collection of over three hundred full length audiobooks which you can listen to from any computer with an Internet connection. Titles are arranged in the general categories of fiction, nonfiction, classics, children, and read-along. You can browse titles in these categories or further narrow your search by subcategory. No special software or listening devices are needed.