Whether you want to start downloading from home right away or have some questions about getting started, we’re here to help.
Downloadable Book FAQ
Where do I go to get books?
Click on the box under Download Books on the left side of our homepage, OR visit www.mediaondemand.org
What do I need in order to get books?
Use your library card number to log in. Your password is your last name.
Is my password the same as SWAN?
No. Your password is your last name.
Can I use my device?
Probably! Nooks, Sony Readers, Kindles, iPads, iPods, Kobos, and more are all supported. The e-books and audiobooks available are in PDF, EPUB, Kindle, WMA, WMV, and MP3 format. Read more about supported devices and formats.
How do I get the books onto my device?
This varies by type of device. See below for the most common methods.
Sony Reader WiFi:
Use the “Public Library” button on the home screen to check out and download books directly to your device.
iPad & iPod:
Download the free Overdrive App from the iTunes App Store. This will allow you to checkout, download, and read or listen directly from the app. You can also browse and checkout using your computer to take advantage of the improved search function, then download from your account using the app.
Nook, Nook Color, Nook Tablet
Download Adobe Digital Editions which will manage your library checkouts. This is a free program which will prompt you to create a free ADE ID. Use Media On Demandto browse and checkout and download your books. Be sure to choose the EPUB or PDF version of the book. Your book will download into ADE. Connect your Nook, which will show up as a new shelf on ADE, then drag and drop your book onto the device.
Kindle
Use Media On Demand to browse and checkout your books. Be sure to check out the Kindle version of the book. After checkout, click on Get For Kindle, which will take you to Amazon. Log in to your Amazon account, which will manage your library checkouts. Your book will sync to your Kindle via the WiFi.
Kindle Fire
You can use the method above for Kindles, or depending on your software version, you may be able to download the Overdrive Media Console for Android and download directly from your device. More information on this method here.
I found an e-book book in SWAN but when I clicked though the site looked different and I couldn’t log in. What happened?
TFML is part of one of three e-book buying groups that use the SWAN catalog. As a TFML cardholder, you will only be able to download from our group, Media On Demand. To find these books in the SWAN catalog, limit the location field of your SWAN search to Thomas Ford Memorial Library instead of All Libraries.
Why can’t I find this author or title?
Our e-book collection is new but growing. Please make suggestion if you see holes in our collection and we will pass them on to the selector for that area of the collection. Some publishers and authors have restricted their work and will not allow it to be available digitally, in which case we will not be able to add these books to the collection.
Why isn’t this book available in Kindle format?
Amazon will only permit library lending of a book that it also sells as a Kindle book, so you will find some items as EPUB or PDF but not Kindle.
I want an e-reader but I don’t know which one. What does the library recommend?
This depends on what you want in an e-reader. See below for some attributes to consider. The library will soon be circulating Sony Reader WiFi because they have the smoothest interface for library borrowing of the e-ink readers. Several staff members have Nook products for personal use. Another good resource is Consumer Reports which recently reviewed e-readers.
What’s should I look for in an e-reader?
The main factors to consider are:
Screen type
Some readers like the Nook Simple Touch or the Sony Reader Wifi use e-ink. This is a non-reflective black and white screen that is easy to read in bright light and causes minimal eye strain, similar to paper. Other readers have color LCD displays similar to your computer screen. These screens are great for full color uses like comic or picture books, magazines, web browsing, movie viewing, or game playing, however they do not display well in sunlight and cause more eye strain than an e-ink reader.
Use
Do you mainly want your reader for reading books, or would you like to have the functionality of a tablet?
Battery life
Color LCD displays correlate with a shorter battery life. An e-ink display uses far less battery power and will keep a charge up to a month or more.
Cost
E-readers are available at just about any price point. Consider your budget and look at the readers within that range.
My question isn’t here. What should I do?
There are several resources that might answer your question.
Media On Demand has a very helpful My Help! feature on its site which will guide you through the process of using your device to read or listen to the books you’re interested in. They also have an extensive help section which may answer your question.
The New Hampshire Downloadable Books Blog has a lot of good information about troubleshooting, devices, and formats.
And we are always happy to help. Let us know if we can help you any further with your new e-reader or with downloading books.
Happy Reading!
