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Adobe EPUB eBooks

**Always check http://help.overdrive.com for the most current information**

The easiest way to read an eBook is to read the title in your browser. See OverDrive READ eBooks for directions. If you would rather download the eBook to read on your computer, eReader or mobile device, see the instructions below.

Read eBooks on Your Computer\eReader

Step 1:  Install Software

EPUB eBooks require software called Adobe Digital Editions to "unlock" the Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection on each title in order to view the title. Adobe Digital Editions allows customers to organize eBooks into a customer library, annotate pages, insert bookmarks, and transfer eBooks from a personal computer to an eReader.

Step 2:  Authorize Software

  1. Download and install Adobe Digital Editions.
  2. Open Adobe Digital Editions.
  3. Click on the Help menu and select Authorize Computer. Unless you already have an Adobe ID, you will be prompted to create one.
  4. If you do not have an Adobe ID, click Create an Adobe ID and you will be taken to Adobe's website where you will create your ID. (Note: Your Adobe ID is what authorizes you to transfer eBooks to your eReader so if you simply want to read eBooks on your computer, you can simply authorize your computer without an Adobe ID.)
  5. Follow the instructions to sign up for an Adobe ID.
  6. After you create your ID, return to the Activation screen to enter your Adobe ID and password and then click Authorize.

To prevent authorization errors, we recommend using the same email address for registering your device and setting up your Adobe ID. Example, If you registered your NOOK with the email address [email protected], your Adobe ID should be: [email protected].

Step 3:  Search the Catalog

  1. Visit http://emedia.metrolibrary.org.
  2. Browse for a title you wish to download.
  3. Check out using your library card number and last name.
  4. Download the title, taking note of where the title is saved, and double-click on the title to open it.
  5. The title should open automatically with Adobe Digital Editions.

Step 4:  Transfer to Your eReader

  1. Connect your eReader to your computer and follow the prompts to authorize your device. When complete, your eReader will appear in the Devices section on the left side of the screen.
  2. Simply drag the eBook title over your eReader's icon and "drop" the eBook onto your eReader.
  3. When the transfer is complete, you can click on your eReader to verify the title transferred. You can now safely disconnect the eReader and enjoy your eBook!

Read eBooks on Your Mobile Device

Using the OverDrive Media Console (OMC) app, you can download OverDrive's EPUB eBooks directly to your:

  • Apple iPhone\iPad\iPod touch
  • Android device (phone or tablet) v1.5 (or newer)
  • Kindle Fire
  • NOOK Color, NOOK Tablet, or NOOK HD
  • Touch screen BlackBerry OS v4.7 (or newer)
  • Non-touch screen BlackBerry OS v4.5 (or newer)
  • Windows Phone 7 (or newer)
  • Windows 8 device (computer, phone or tablet)

This app is freely available in the location from which you install all other apps for your device, e.g. Amazon Appstore for Android, Apple's App Store, Google Play, etc.

If you don't want to be bothered with installing OMC on your Apple, Android, Kindle Fire or Windows Phone 8, you can still read eBooks by simply using your device's browser. See OverDrive READ for directions.

This page has videos for Android, Apple, E Ink, Kindle, Kobo, NOOK and Windows mobile devices that will show you how to:

  • Download titles to a computer and transfer them to an eReader
  • Install OMC on your device
  • Create an Adobe ID
  • Search for and download eBooks
  • Read eBooks
  • Return eBooks early

This page will show you how to install OMC on your computer or mobile device running Windows 8. You can also install Adobe Digital Editions on your Windows 8 computer if it's running in desktop mode. See the directions for installing Adobe Digital Editions at the top of this page.

Return eBooks Early

Using Adobe Digital Editions

Open Adobe Digital Editions. Right-click the title, select Return Borrowed Item, and then click Return.

Using The OverDrive App

This page will show you how to return titles early using the OverDrive app on an Android, Apple, Blackberry, Kindle, NOOK, or Windows device.

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