OverDrive Updates & News You Can Use

Let's start with an FAQ that has a Trick Answer:
"Can I return OverDrive eBooks & eAudio titles E-A-R-L-Y ??" The answer is usually "Yes" but it depends on how and with which software the title was downloaded.

How to return early for :

• Kindle - Visit "Manage Your Kindle" at Amazon
  

• Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) for Windows or Mac (EPUB and PDF)
• OverDrive Media Console (OMC) for Windows (MP3 only)
• OMC for Windows 8 (EPUB and MP3)
• OMC for Android (EPUB and MP3)
• OMC for iOS (iPhone/iPad/iPod touch) (EPUB and MP3)
• OMC for Windows Phone (EPUB and MP3)
• OMC for BlackBerry (EPUB and MP3)

Note: EPUB eBooks and MP3 audiobooks can be returned as above. WMA audiobooks cannot currently be returned  early. Also, OverDrive Media Console for Mac does not currently support the return feature.

Next time a patron asks you, and you want to remember the answer--go right to OverDrive Help at:  http://help.overdrive.com/  and type in Return Early

Now for some good news:

Hold Emails link directly
The OverDrive emails sent to notify patrons they have a Hold ready to claim NOW provide the link directly to the patron's OverDrive account. Users do have to enter their Library card number, since this link is from their email.

But this should be much easier for new users to find and claim their Hold before it expires. Did you know that many "converts" to eBooks and digital titles started out with a search in our Library catalog for a title or author. When they see records for digital titles (which sometimes have fewer holds than on print eds.) the patron will place a Hold on the eBook and expect it will show up with the "physical" holds for their APL Library Account.


The takeaway here? You can help patrons understand when they "Sign In" at OverDrive with their Library Card - they now have an OverDrive Account! To see their OverDrive transactions, a patron just needs to Sign in, and click or tap on "Account" at upper right.



 

Zinio giveth....and Zinio taketh away

Update: 6/3/2014 

Please help patrons understand that the Library had no control over losing some popular titles in 2014--it's Zinio who has lost the rights to them. 

To help soften the blow, please help the patron check for any other sources of titles withdrawn from Zinio. See the Research Portal page called "Magazine and Newspapers"  it's just below the dropdown menu - use this Locator entry (or just search the Research Portal for magzine locator)

Magazine & Newspaper Locator

Find out which titles are available online from our many database resources. Wondering which Library branch gets what? See magazine subscriptions for each Arlington Library Location Please check with library staff about the newspaper and microfilm holdings.

Consumer Reports on Zinio questions can be referred to our separate subscription 

http://library.arlingtonva.libguides.com/ConsumerReports  No, it's NOT the same as Zinio, but it is online from home, and actually has MORE content than the print issues!

Unfortunately, Harvard Business Review is now ONLY available to us in our print subscription.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
In 2014 we'll have some nifty NEW titles from Zinio digital magazines. Sadly, we also say goodbye to some very popular titles, including Consumer Reports and the Harvard Business Review - as the publisher has withdrawn the rights.

Take note: any "Withdrawn" titles like these *do* still remain on our Zinio site, since the back issues are still available. Speaking of back issues, now is a good time to review how they work. The  back issues available for a title is dependent on when our subscription Began and/or when it Ended.

Here's the list for NEW Titles Added in 2014
Back Issues start with the first 2014 issue

The Advocate
Astronomy
Bloomberg Businessweek-Europe Edition
Motor Trend 
OK! Magazine

New for Kids and Parents:
chickaDEE   
Girls' Life
Scholastic Parent & Child

New in Spanish
Familia Saludable
Good Housekeeping-BuenHogar
Quien 
Seventeen - Mexico

Complete List of Drops / Titles Withdrawn for 2014
Back Issues will remain but do End with the final issue of our subscription

Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports Kitchen Planning
Everyday Food
Garden Design
Harper’s Magazine
Harvard Business Review
Hola! Mexico 
Living Crafts
Organic Gardening
Parenting Early Years
Parenting School Years
Science
Science Illustrated
Shop Smart
Tennis
Weight Watchers 

Things for Staff to Know About the Affordable Care Act and Library Patrons

--Hello! Many users who telephone the toll-free number for the Health Insurance Marketplace are told to visit their public library to print out the application. See this page of our Topic Guide [On the right side] for a link to the paper application and instructions in English, and a link for the Spanish application. Also a link for or general help in 25 other languages.  (12/6/13)

--Despite early issues, the Federal online application an enrollment system is available for use. And coverage begins as early as Jan. 1, 2014. (11/21/13)

--Direct Library patrons with ACA questions to our Affordable Care Act Topic Guide on the Research Portal:
http://library.arlingtonva.libguides.com/aca

Take a Few Minutes to See What's On Our Guide
Our Guide has explanations, some video intros and links to the Federal site HealthCare.gov with its Health Insurance Marketplace -- plus a link to the same site for Spanish speakers. There is also a link with text in many other languages, with basic explanations.

In Arlington, the latest data estimates that about 10% of the population (or 20,143) are uninsured--slightly less than the rest of the state, or 12% uninsured in Virginia.

People may come in to the Library either because they've heard about Affordable Care, or because they are ready to sign up. They do not need to be Arlington residents, only residents in Va. 

Virginia residents actually use the Federal Marketplace to enroll. Our neighboring jurisdictions in DC and Maryland have a different place to sign up--See the Topic Guide inks under "In the Community."

• Remember, staff can't give advice or make recommendations about choosing a health care plan. 
  
  
• We can be supportive and let patrons know about our free computers - and get them started with our Topic Guide.
   
• We can't answer questions about eligibility or prices.  The best place for patrons is ask their questions is the Federal Marketplace: 1-800-318-2596 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week.) A Health Insurance Marketplace specialist can answer questions in English and Spanish.  

Reminders

Note: You ARE helping patrons by referring them to the Federal Marketplace.

At the Marketplace, consumers will be able to compare insurance options based on price, benefits, quality and other factors with a clear picture of premiums and cost-sharing amounts to help them choose the insurance that best fits their needs.

Financial help to lower costs is available for people who qualify. Consumers may be eligible for a free or low cost plan, or savings that lower monthly premiums right away.


What About In-Person Assistance?
Expected to begin the week of October 7th.

Area residents --individuals, young adults, families, and small businesses—can learn about  their health insurance coverage options from the non-profit law firm Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV).

LSNV plans to provide FREE one-on-one application assistance and counseling/information to people seeking coverage. Patrons may contact them beginning October 7, 2013, at (703) 778-6800.

If you have any questions or information you'd like to suggest adding to our Topic Guide, please email Sally or Sarah Campany.

Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom - New eJournal Access

APL now has an online subscription to this long-running ALA newsletter.(Sorry, it's not available for public access, so it will not appear in the catalog.)

Click here to read the current issue, or

read the Journal Archives here.  Best of all, you can use the searchbox find or pinpoint any issues or topics of interest.

Skip This!

FYI: Please ignore most of the options on the left navigation menu! Those customization features are not available with our access within all Library buildings.

Lots of new resources for music lovers and students

Symphonies and Scores, Choreographer Interviews and Opera Libretti - it's all there in the new collections from Alexander Street Press.

As a supplement to our popular streaming music collections, we just added 7 more content sets--but these are reference databases and video collections. Check it out on the new Topic Guide, Music and The Arts.

What does this mean for our patrons?
They can watch different performances, research a work that's being performed locally, or download the sheet music (score) for voice or musical instrument without violating copyright.   Students can find detailed research in specialized reference works that we don't have on the shelf.

OverDrive Media Console App 3.0

The latest OMC app is out!

Note that it's only for:

• Apple devices - requires iOS 6 (or newer)
• Android devices - requires Android OS v4.0 (or newer, but OMC for Android v2.6.6 will remain available for download.)

Watch a highlights video: For Apple - For Android

What's the Fuss?

A redesigned user interface with streamlined navigation and a one-stop reorganized menu. App functions are just a swipe and tap away.

Guidance for first time users: The app now prompts users on how to add libraries and get books. (Woo Hoo!)

Users will be able to sync bookmarks and reading progress across multiple devices, as long as they sign up for a free, opt-in registration service called OverDrive One.
Variable speed playback (only for Apple): most requested feature from eAudiobook users!


Things we've noticed:

If the patron already had a previous version of the OMC app installed, they should eventually get a notification that this app has an update available--or they can visit the App store to update.  If they had installed it with Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) authorized...they must RE-authorize Adobe in the new app. However..ADE is not required for eAudiobooks, AND the new OverDrive Read format requires no authorizations and looks great on mobile devices.

The way to Return Titles Early is different! Think Tap and Hold. "From the bookshelf, tap and hold a title to display the return options."

OverDrive One wants to send promotional emails as a default when signing up...but it's easy to Opt Out.

Not compatible with Kindle Fire Android-based devices :(

We're in the process of updating the Step-by-Step instruction handouts to reflect changes, so stay tuned for that.  If patrons have any questions, you can refer them to the Help page for Apple and the Help page for Android.  Links to these are also on our own Library Help and Troubleshooting page, too.

Patrons should report any problems from the website form and select "I have another issue with OverDrive downloadable eBooks and eAudiobooks."

IndieFlix loves Films for Families!

Hoping to watch an independent film suitable for the entire family? NO worries, IndieFlix has lots of films appropriate for the younger generation. The trick is just to find them.

First, Login to your IndieFlix Accounts. (for all those details see the Library page about IndieFlix.)

Here are some quick tips for family viewing:

Try the Family channel which is already presorted, but you can further *limit* the channel "results" for intended audience from all ages, 13+, and 17+.  Use the checkboxes at the left to adjust for your own kids.

You can also use this "Age Filter" when looking at films in the other Channels, such as Comedy or Animation.

Want more? 
IndieFlix also lets you Browse all their films -- then just Filter by age.

Queue It Up!
If you find a film that looks just right - save it to your IndieFlix queue and watch it when the whole family is together.

Please note
IndieFlix determines the intended audience for
its films - they are not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.  Parental guidance is always suggested for family viewing.