What kind of software do I need on my computer to download and listen to audio eBooks?
NetLibrary: Audio eBooks can be downloaded or played on any personal computer or portable listening device that supports Microsoft Windows Media Player v9, Musicmatch Jukebox 8.2 and above, or Nullsoft Winamp v5 and above.

OverDrive: In addition to Microsoft Windows Media Player v9 or above, you will need to install the OverDrive Media Console (a free download).

Can I download audio eBooks to public computers in my library?
Because the downloading of these large audio files consumes a significant amount of computing resources, audio eBooks may not be downloaded in Hennepin County Library buildings.

How do I find audio eBooks?
There are full records for all audio eBooks in the Hennepin County Library catalog. You may search for them as you would any other material in the catalog.

NetLibrary: A complete list of the NetLibrary titles may also be found by going to the Audiobooks Center at the NetLibrary home page.

OverDrive: All titles owned by Hennepin County may be found at the OverDrive Digital Catalog.

Do I need a special account to download audio eBooks?
NetLibrary: Although you can search and listen to a free preview of most of the audio eBooks in this collection, you will need a netLibrary account to download and listen to audio eBooks on your personal computer and supported portable listening devices. If you have a library card registered with Hennepin County Library you can create an account from outside the library by accessing NetLibrary here. If you have previously created a NetLibrary account to access the full-text eBook collection, you do not need to create a new account.

OverDrive: No special account is required. Titles may be checked out and downloaded using your registered library card.

When I check out audio eBooks from NetLibrary and OverDrive, do they appear on my Hennepin County Library account with the other items I have checked out?
No, you will need to log in to your NetLibrary and/or OverDrive accounts to check on the status of your audio eBooks.

How many audio eBooks may I check out at one time?
You can check out a maximum of 10 audio eBooks from each collection at any given time. You will not be able to check out additional titles until the license for a currently downloaded audio eBook expires.

How long is the checkout period and can they be renewed?
NetLibrary: NetLibrary automatically downloads a license, with each download, which lets you access the audio eBook for 21 days. They can be renewed at any point by logging into your account. A renewal provides you with an additional 21 days of access from the date of renewal. You may renew each title one (1) time.

OverDrive: Your items cannot be renewed, but you can check them out again if they are available when your checkout expires. When you check out the title a second time, the license is reactivated. Simply click the 'Download' button at this website to download a new license. You do not need to download the actual media files a second time.

Can I return an audio eBooks before the checkout period expires?
No. Once the lending period has elapsed (21 days), the title is automatically returned to the Library.

Can I play audio eBooks on portable listening devices?
Yes. Audio eBooks can be played on a wide range of portable listening devices. For a list of supported devices for each collection visit

NetLibrary - Supported Portable Listening Devices

OverDrive - Supported Portable Audio Devices

See the Catalog New blog for the NetLibrary announcement and Overdrive announcement to benefit from our users' experiences with portable players.

Can I burn an audiobook to a CD?
NetLibrary: Encryptions on the audio eBook files make burned copies unusable.

OverDrive: Most OverDrive titles may be burned to a CD.

Why doesn't the library have audio ebooks that can be downloaded to Macs/iPods?
We would like nothing better than to be able to offer downloadable audio content to Mac/iPod users. Unfortunately, at this time, none of the providers of downloadable audio content to the library market support the Mac platform. We are continually monitoring the industry and be assured Hennepin County Library will be prepared to offer this service to Mac users when and if a viable product becomes available.

What software do I need on my computer to download and view eVideos?
You will need the OverDrive Media Console 2.0 (a free download) and Windows Media Player series 9 or newer.

Can I download eVideos to public computers in my library?
Because the downloading of these large files consumes a significant amount of computing resources, eVideos may not be downloaded in Hennepin County Library buildings.

How do I find eVideos?
There are full records for all eVideos in the Hennepin County Library catalog. They may also be found in the OverDrive Digital Catalog.

How long is the checkout period for eVideos and can they be renewed?
The loan period is 7 days. Your eVideos cannot be renewed, but you can check them out again if they are available when your checkout expires.

How many eVideos may I check out at one time?
You can check out a maximum of 10 titles (audio and video) from the OverDrive collection at any given time. You will not be able to check out additional titles until the license for a currently downloaded title expires.

Can I return eVideos before the checkout period expires?
No. Once the lending period has elapsed (7 days), the title is automatically returned to the library.

Can I transfer an eVideo to a portable device?
OverDrive eVideo titles will play on a variety of devices including Pocket PCs, Portable Media Centers, and devices running Windows Mobile 5.0. To review a suggested list of portable devices, click here.

Why can't I transfer OverDrive Video titles directly to my iPod, or use these files on my Mac?
OverDrive eVideo titles, provided by OverDrive, Inc., use DRM protection technology from Microsoft Corporation. Unfortunately iPods and Macs do not currently support DRM-protected Windows Media Audio (WMA) or Windows Media Video (WMV) files.

For additional NetLibrary information check the Help page on the NetLibrary website, or view the online demo.

For additional OverDrive information visit the OverDrive Digital Catalog.