NetLibraryeAudiobooks
Frequently Asked Questions

eAudiobooks & eBooks

Downloading eAudiobooks online demonstration

eAudiobooks Instructions

eBook FAQs

Q: What do I need to use this service?
A: To listen to an eAudiobook on a computer using NetLibrary/Recorded Books, you will need to have a County of Henrico Public Library card, a NetLibrary/Recorded Books account, a computer, a hi-speed Internet connection and Windows Media Player, version 9 or above. Dial-up service is not recommended, as it involves extended download time, and is subject to interruption by the Internet Service Provider.
Q: How do I open a NetLibrary/Recorded Books account?
A: From a computer OUTSIDE the libraries, go to Henrico Library's Remote Authentication for NetLibrary/Recorded Books page. Enter your library card number and click Validate. Click on the Create a Free Account link in the right hand corner of the screen. Enter the requested information and hit the red Create Account button. From INSIDE the libraries,
go to NetLibrary/Recorded Books's Create a Free Account page to create your account. Enter the requested information and hit the red Create Account button.
Q: How do I find eAudiobooks?
A: You can find eAudiobooks by performing a search on the NetLibrary/Recorded Books site or by searching Henrico's online catalog.
Q: Will I need an account to access eAudiobooks?
A: Yes. You can search and listen to a free preview of eAudiobooks in your library’s collection, without logging in. To download and listen to eAudiobooks on your personal computer and supported listening devices, you will need to open a NetLibrary/Recorded Books account. If you already have a NetLibrary/Recorded Books account, it can be used to access eAudiobooks.
Q: Do I need to load any software on my computer to listen to eAudiobooks?
A: eAudiobooks can be downloaded or played on any personal computer or portable listening device that supports Microsoft Windows Media Player, version 9 and above.
Q: Can I play eAudiobooks on portable listening devices?
A: Yes. eAudiobooks are compatible with a wide range of portable listening devices that support secure WMA format, including portable music players, portable media centers, Pocket PCs, and even select smartphone devices. For a list of devices, go to: www.oclc.org/audiobooks/techspecs/devices.htm.
Q: How many eAudiobooks can I check out simultaneously?
A: You may checkout a maximum of six (6) eAudiobooks at one time. You will not be able to check out additional titles until the license for at least one of the currently loaded eAudiobooks has expired.
Q: What’s the checkout period for eAudiobooks?
A: NetLibrary/Recorded Books automatically downloads a license with each download that lets you access the eAudiobook for 21 days. The license allows you to copy the eAudiobook to two (2) additional portable listening devices.
Q: Can I renew an eAudiobook without downloading it a second time?
A: Yes. You can renew an eAudiobook at any point by logging into your account. A renewal gives you an additional 21 days of access from the date of renewal.
Q: How many times can I renew an eAudiobook?
A: You can renew an eAudiobook one time during its 21-day checkout period.
Q: Do I need to return an eAudiobook when the checkout period expires?
A: No. The license automatically expires after 21 days, preventing you from accessing the file. The file, however, will remain on your computer or device until you manually delete it.
Q: Are eAudiobooks automatically removed from my computer when the checkout period expires?
A: No, you can no longer access the eAudiobook. However, the eAudiobook file remains on your hard drive until it’s manually deleted.
Q: How do I delete an eAudiobook from my personal computer or portable listening device?
A: You can delete the file in the same manner as you delete other files. Consult your instruction manual, or contact the manufacturer for specific information.
Q: Why doesn’t the eAudiobook download, even though I get an acquiring license message?
A: If you have an older Windows Media Player version the download appears to be working. Windows Media Player shows “acquiring license,” but eventually you get a message that you don’t have a license to play the eAudiobook. You need to download a newer version of Windows Media Player.
Q: Once I’ve downloaded an eAudiobook, can I move it to another computer?
A: You can transfer an eAudiobook file to another computer if you haven’t opened or played the eAudiobook. Once you’ve opened the eAudiobook, you’ve obtained the license that allows it to play; once you’ve obtained the license, you can’t move the eAudiobook.
Q: Can I burn an eAudiobook to a CD?
A: Because of copyright concerns, NetLibrary/Recorded Books has developed encryptions that will not permit listening to eAudiobooks that have been burned to a CD.
Q: How do I listen to an eAudiobook in my car?
A: To listen to an eAudiobook in a car, you’ll need a radio transmitter or other device adapter that works with your portable listening device and car stereo. Consult your instruction manual or contact the manufacturer for specific information.
Q: What level of audio quality can I expect from an eAudiobook?
A: You can choose from one of two levels of audio quality when you download an eAudiobook: radio quality or CD quality. Radio quality provides faster download speed and is ideal if you have a dial-up connection. CD quality offers high-fidelity playback for high-speed Internet access. You must download the CD quality file if you are going to transfer and listen to the eAudiobook on a portable listening device.
Q: How do I bookmark where I left off?
A: If you’re not using a portable device that has bookmarking capability, you can make note of your hours:minutes position when you stop listening and fast forward to that position when you resume.

Q: Do I have to wait for the file to download before I can listen to an eAudiobook?
A: No. You don’t have to wait for the file to download before you can listen to the eAudiobook. Once you select a download option, you’re prompted to Open or Save the eAudiobook file.

  • If you select Save, you can specify where the file is placed on your personal computer. This option takes less time to download the file, since it is only downloading the file. NetLibrary/Recorded Books highly recommends this option.
  • If you select the Open option, Windows Media Player is launched and begins streaming the audio as the file downloads. Once the download is completed, the file is saved to you’re your media player’s download directory. This option is slower since it is playing and downloading at the same time. You can stop the download, change the download preferences and restart the download at any time.
Q: Once I’ve requested a download, do I have to stay logged in to NetLibrary/Recorded Books for the download to complete?
A: No. You can allow your login session to time out.
Q: How long does it take to download an eAudiobook?
A: Download time depends on the size of the audio file and the speed of your Internet connection. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
Q: What if my download attempt fails?
A: Once you’ve checked out an eAudiobook, you can attempt to download it five times within the three-week checkout period. If you can’t successfully download it, you must wait for it to expire before checking it out again.
Q: Why won’t the eAudiobook play on my portable device?
A: Either you don’t have the right software installed, you aren’t using a supported portable device, or you didn’t request a “CD-quality” download.
Q: Why won’t the eAudiobook play on my portable listening device? It played just fine yesterday.
A: The checkout period for the eAudiobook may have expired. Login to the NetLibrary/Recorded Books website, and click on the My Checked Out items link to see if the eAudiobook checkout period has expired.
Q: What does “You Need a license” mean?
A: You may have downloaded a new version of Windows Media Player and need to re-sync with the portable listening device. Consult your instruction manual, or contact the manufacturer for specific information.
Q: Can I download eAudiobooks to public computers in my library?
A: At this time the library does not permit files to be downloaded to our computers. The library also does not provide the necessary equipment to copy and transfer the eAudiobook file.
Q: How do I know if I have Windows Media Player on my personal computer, and which version is installed?
A: Click on START, then PROGRAMS, and see which programs are displayed. If Windows Media Player is launched you can press the F1 key anywhere on the Windows Media Player window to display the version, or press the Alt key to display the menu bar, then choose Help and About Windows Media Player.
Q: Can I download and play an eAudiobook on a Mac?
A: Due to licensing issues NetLibrary/Recorded Books eAudiobooks cannot be played on Macs at this time.
Q: Can I download and play an eAudiobook on an iPod?
A: No. Due to licensing issues NetLibrary/Recorded Books eAudiobooks cannot be played on iPods at this time. NetLibrary/Recorded Books requires a file format that supports Digital Rights Management protection. However, at Apple’s iTunes Music Store (apple.com/itunes), there is a section devoted to audiobooks that are available for downloading on iPods for a fee. IPod also has its own FM-radio adapter that will play the audio via your car stereo.