Alliance digital media library (ADML) on overdrive
Use the Alliance Digital Media Library (ADML) powered by OverDrive to check out free eBooks and audiobooks from the Alliance Digital Media Library. The ADML is a 'virtual branch' of our library containing a collection of digital titles that have been selected by a consortium of area libraries. You can browse, check out, and download using your library card. You can download to Windows or MAC computer, popular Smartphones, a Kindle or Kindle Fire, and some Nook devices. You can then transfer to other devices such as the Apple iPod or the Sony Reader. There are also accessibility features for the visually impaired.
The terms eBooks and audiobooks are sometimes confusing. EBooks are books that you read on a computer or an eRead device. Audiobooks are books that have a spoken voice reading the book to you. You listen to audiobooks with your ears, while you read eBooks with your eyes.
The ADML has a certain number of copies of each digital book available for checkout. If these copies are already checked out, you will have to put the digital book on hold. That item on hold will be reserved for you to check out once it becomes available. When the title is available, you will receive an email notification with instructions on checking the item out. The item will be held for you for 2 days (starting when you are emailed the notice that the item is available). You can place up to 5 titles on hold at the same time.
You can check out 5 items at the same time on the ADML system. Your lending period (the amount of time you can keep the item on your account) preference can be set after you logon in your Account/Settings. The periods are 7, 14, and 21 days. The publisher of the book can set the lending period to a different amount of time though.
When picking out titles you will notice an icon (picture) in the upper right corner of each book jacket. A headphone means the title is for an audiobook. An open book means the title is for an eBook. The icons will be dark or filled in whenever the title is available. If the title is not available, the icons will appear gray or lighter. You can also set filters to only show ebooks or only show audiobooks. Another useful option is to only search for items that are available now.
The ADML website has HELP menus which would be a good place to start when you are using ADML for the first few times or if you have a question. Useful information can be found at the ADML Help Screen.
The website Overdrive.com also is a good source of information: Overdrive Help Screen. Note that some features mentioned on this site may not be available to our patrons.
If you feel intimidated by some of the technological words used in the help menus above, this list might help: Very basic meanings of technical words and processes
You will need the following to use this resource no matter which device you are loading:
You will need to set up your device the first time you use ADML. The following Help Sheets will help you set up your device:
The terms eBooks and audiobooks are sometimes confusing. EBooks are books that you read on a computer or an eRead device. Audiobooks are books that have a spoken voice reading the book to you. You listen to audiobooks with your ears, while you read eBooks with your eyes.
The ADML has a certain number of copies of each digital book available for checkout. If these copies are already checked out, you will have to put the digital book on hold. That item on hold will be reserved for you to check out once it becomes available. When the title is available, you will receive an email notification with instructions on checking the item out. The item will be held for you for 2 days (starting when you are emailed the notice that the item is available). You can place up to 5 titles on hold at the same time.
You can check out 5 items at the same time on the ADML system. Your lending period (the amount of time you can keep the item on your account) preference can be set after you logon in your Account/Settings. The periods are 7, 14, and 21 days. The publisher of the book can set the lending period to a different amount of time though.
When picking out titles you will notice an icon (picture) in the upper right corner of each book jacket. A headphone means the title is for an audiobook. An open book means the title is for an eBook. The icons will be dark or filled in whenever the title is available. If the title is not available, the icons will appear gray or lighter. You can also set filters to only show ebooks or only show audiobooks. Another useful option is to only search for items that are available now.
The ADML website has HELP menus which would be a good place to start when you are using ADML for the first few times or if you have a question. Useful information can be found at the ADML Help Screen.
The website Overdrive.com also is a good source of information: Overdrive Help Screen. Note that some features mentioned on this site may not be available to our patrons.
If you feel intimidated by some of the technological words used in the help menus above, this list might help: Very basic meanings of technical words and processes
You will need the following to use this resource no matter which device you are loading:
- an Internet connection
- an El Paso District Library Card Number
- Your PIN/Password. We set up your library account with the password CHANGEME. You can change this yourself in RSACAT. If you have forgotten your PIN, please call the El Paso District Library in Illiniois at 309-527-4360 or email the El Paso District Library in Illinois using CONTACT US.
You will need to set up your device the first time you use ADML. The following Help Sheets will help you set up your device:
Please let us know of your experience with ADML on Overdrive. Was the information on this page helpful? Contact Us.