The MCPL Blog from the Marathon County Public Library

OverDrive's Big Summer Read

Chad Dally / Library Services — Fri, 29 May 2015 10:46:04 GMT

Marathon County Public Library, Wisconsin’s Digital Library and OverDrive all hope you’ll join us and other patrons in the Big Summer Read, an online shared reading program for all ages, through most of June.

Each year, OverDrive selects a title with an author and publisher willing to allow an unlimited number ebooks and e-audiobooks available to download anytime from June 9 to June 23. This year adult patrons can read or listen to Kate White’s fast-paced suspense novel “Eyes on You” – Robin Trainer learns that being a media star comes with its costs; including potentially her own life. Can you guess her perpetrator before the big reveal?

For the first time, OverDrive also is inviting children and teens to share in the reading experience with the OverDrive Summer Read. From June 9 to July 9, kids will be able to download unlimited copies of “Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky” from Sandra Dallas, who shines a light on a dark period of American history in this story of a young Japanese American girl caught up in prejudices and World War II.

Teens can sign into OverDrive anytime between June 9-July 9 and download a copy of “The Fat Boy Chronicles.” Inspired by a true story and told in first-person journal entries, Diane Lang’s novel brings to life the pain and isolation felt by many overweight teenagers as they try to find their way in a world obsessed with outward beauty.

This is a great chance to try a new book recommended by the fine folks at OverDrive, without the wait that occasionally accompanies newer releases! Our library staff can show you where to go within the Digital Library to download your copy of one (or more!) of these three books.

The Big Summer Read is also a great excuse to try OverDrive if you haven’t already. Any device will do – smartphone, tablet, e-reader, laptop – and you can find instructions to set up your device here under the “First-time users” tab: www.mcpl.us/catalogs/overdrive. Of course, if you’re a hands-on learner, you are always welcome to bring your device to the library and we’ll help you get started with OverDrive.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services recently released its report on public libraries as of 2012, and Wisconsin has the distinction of the highest number of library e-books available per capita in the country: As of 2012, our state had more than 3,500 ebooks per 1,000 people. Of course we still love our print books, but our selection of ebooks and e-audiobooks is growing almost daily, as is the selection of streaming videos available through OverDrive. And as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection, you can browse and download titles from anywhere and keep your bookshelf full no matter where you may roam this summer. Once downloaded, you can read them anywhere, no wireless needed.

The Big Summer Read is not only a kickoff to vacation reading, it’s also a chance to share a literary experience with thousands of other patrons across the state, some of whom might just be a few towels down the beach from you, reading the same novel.

Chad Dally is a library specialist with the Marathon County Public Library

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OverDrive's Big Library Read: October 13-28, 2014

Kathleen Kosiec / Library Services — Mon, 06 Oct 2014 09:29:05 GMT

Check out OverDrive’s Big Library Read, which offers community-wide access to a YA title during October 13-28, 2014. During this special event, all card holders can simply download “Anatomy of A Misfit" by Andrea Portes from OverDrive. Since OverDrive is offering simultaneous use for this title during October 13-28, the title is available right away, with no waiting on hold for the next copy. The title expires at the end of the lending period for each user, not the end of the program.

Synopsis: “Anika is the third most popular girl in her high school–despite feeling she doesn’t fit in with the popular crowd in her small Nebraskan town. To maintain her social status, Anika does whatever Becky Vilhauser (first most popular girl in school) tells her to do. But when loner Logan McDonough returns from summer vacation hotter, and more mysterious than ever, Anika has a hard time staying away–even when Becky forbids her to date him. Anika’s glimpse into Logan’s troubled home life only draws her closer, but despite her blossoming feelings, Anika breaks up with him. In an emotionally devastating ending, Anika is left in the wake of tragedy, which leaves her with the revelation that we have only one chance to be true to ourselves, and nothing is more important than listening to your own heart.”

For more information on OverDrive’s Big Library Read, visit their website.

For more information on Andrea Portes, visit her website.

Need help downloading OverDrive to your new device? Check out detailed instructions here.

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Sync offers free YA audiobook downloads this summer

Julie Kinney / Library Services — Tue, 27 May 2014 10:10:29 GMT

Dreading assigned summer reading? Have to spend hours in the car with your annoying younger siblings? Mowing thousands of lawns this summer? I may have a solution as close as your headphones and smartphone. As I was scrolling around the internet this week, I discovered that Sync, sponsored by AudioFile Magazine is giving away free young adult audio books paired with either a classic or required reading book. Sync is powered by Overdrive, so you will need to make sure that you have Overdrive downloaded to your computer, tablet or device. (Get Overdrive from your preferred app store or here.)

The files are in MP3 format and each pair is available for one week only, but the files are yours to keep. You can even sign up for email notifications or text alerts when new files become available. The list has a lot of great reading (listening?) opportunities. Some of the title pairings coming up include “Confessions of a Murder Suspect” by James Patterson with Agatha Christie’s “Murder at the Vicarage,” (May 29-June 4) “Code Name Verity,” a Printz honor book about a British spy shot down over occupied France paired with “The Hiding Place,” a novel about a Dutch family sent to a concentration camp for hiding Jews (June 12-June 18), and “Forgive Me Leonard Peacock,” about a young man planning a school shooting with “October Mourning: A Song for Matthew Shepard”(June 26-July 2). Need to read “The Odyssey” this summer? Check out the audio book of “Torn from Troy,” (July 3-9) about Odysseus’s Trojan slave. Find yourself missing Anne and Prince Edward Island? “Anne of Green Gables” is available June 19-25. Both Sherlock Holmes and Dr Jekyll (or is that Mr. Hyde?) are available at the end of July. If you miss one, you can still listen to it via Soundcloud, but you won’t be able to download it, and, sadly, you can’t get files from previous summers. Check it out the schedule and good luck with your assigned summer reading!

For more information about the Sync YA audiobook program, visit their website.
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Check out Library E-Books on your Apple and Android portable devices!

Katie Zimmermann / MCPL Customer Services — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 09:12:45 GMT

MCPL is proud to announce: OverDrive's app for iPhone® & Android™ now supports eBooks.

With the free OverDrive Media Console app, you can download both EPUB eBooks and MP3 audiobooks directly to your device.

Get the app today and download library books on the go!

E-books from the library are available for a variety of portable devices, and e-readers. Click here to see if your device is compatible.

Go to MCPL's OverDrive Catalog to access e-books, audiobooks, and more!

If you have questions, or would like help, call 715-261-7200 or email info@mcpl.us

Recently Expanded: OverDrive Ebook & Audiobook Collection

Ben Krombholz / MCPL Customer Services — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 12:50:22 GMT

In early October, nearly four-hundred new items were added to the Overdrive collection, including many new and popular titles in ebook and audiobook formats, perfect for your e-reader, mp3 player, or other mobile devices!

To check device compatibility and browse the OverDrive collection, visit: www.mcpl.us/catalogs/overdrive

Plus! Over 15,000 “Public Domain” Ebooks—classic or older works no longer copyrighted—are now available, thanks to Project Gutenberg! Visit the link above and click “Public Domain Ebooks.” For these ebooks, no login is required, and there are no borrowing limits!

(from the MCPL Newsletter, Autumn 2010)

Hands-Free Books

Linda Gau @Reference — Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:15:08 GMT

This summer try one of the audiobooks in our collection. The Library has titles for all ages. Children will especially enjoy listening to books and it's a great way to expand their reading to more challenging titles. You'll find time passes quickly whether you're in your car or truck or simply walking your neighborhood as you listen to a great story.

To locate titles, check our online catalog. Use the Audio/Video tab for a list of selections on CD or cassette.

Another option is to download audio books to your computer, burn them to a CD, transfer them to a digital audio player, PDA, or other portable device through OverDrive.

Happy listening and enjoy the beautiful summer in Wisconsin!