OverDrive at Seneca Libraries
NEW! Try out the new MyHelp!(beta), an easy-to-follow, step-by-step guide to downloading and using OverDrive audiobooks and ebooks.
Quick answers to frequently asked questions about OverDrive audiobooks:
Where do I download OverDrive audiobooks?
Go to the library website and select the "Articles" tab, then the "See all databases" link and scroll down to "Overdrive". You can also search for individual titles through the "Books" tab and selecting "Audiobooks" for your search. Of course, you can simply bookmark the direct link http://seneca.lib.overdrive.com.
Can I listen to audiobooks on my computer?
Yes but you will need to download and install the OverDrive Media Console software on your computer first. To check specifics and to download OverDrive Media Console, go to: http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc and select Windows or MacIntosh. If you have a Mac computer or laptop, you also need to have iTunes (version 7.6.2.9 or newer) installed.
NOTE: You will not be able to download audiobooks from OverDrive onto campus lab and Computing Commons computers as the OverDrive Media Console software is not available on them. However, the OverDrive Media Console is a free download for your own personal computer. Therefore, you may use OverDrive on-campus simply to check out audiobook titles and then log into OverDrive at home and download them there.
Can I listen to audiobooks using my iPod / iPhone / iPad?
Yes. For iPods and iPads, download and install the OverDrive Media Console software onto your computer (PC or Mac), and make sure you have iTunes (version 7.6.2.9 or newer) installed on your computer as well. To check specifics and to download OverDrive Media Console, go to: http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc.
For iPhones, download and install the OverDrive Media Console app from iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/overdrive-media-console/id366869252?mt=8
Can I listen to audiobooks using my Android / BlackBerry / Windows phone?
Yes. Download and install the appropriate OverDrive Media Console Mobile version from http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc.
Help!! Why won't this audiobook download onto my iPod / iPhone / iPad?
First make sure that you have the OverDrive Media Console on your computer. If you are on a PC desktop with Windows, you can transfer any audiobooks to your Apple device using iTunes as long as the iPod icon appears under Format Information ("Plays on"): 
If you are using OverDrive Media Console for MacIntosh or Mobile, you can only play mp3 audiobooks.
There are more specific instructions to check on whether a specific title can be transferred to an Apple device on the OverDrive Media Console FAQ (see extract below):
"There are two places you can check to see if an OverDrive WMA Audiobook or OverDrive WMA Music title can be transferred to an Apple device. You can check at a library or retail website or, if you have already downloaded the title, you can use OverDrive Media Console.
At a library or retail website, check whether an OverDrive WMA Audiobook or OverDrive WMA Music title can be transferred to an Apple device as follows…
- Search for the desired title, and click the title to bring up the page displaying details about the title.
- At this page, look for the heading 'Digital Rights Information'.
The information listed here will clearly indicate whether or not the publisher has enabled transfer to Apple device functionality.In OverDrive Media Console v3.2.0.5 (or newer), check whether a title that you have already downloaded can be transferred to an Apple device as follows…
- In OverDrive Media Console, highlight the desired title and click the 'Properties' button.
The 'Properties' dialog box is displayed.- Click the 'License' tab.
'License details' for the selected title are displayed. The 'Transfer to Apple® device' field indicates whether the title can be transferred to an Apple device.- Click the 'Cancel' button to close the 'Properties' dialog box."
Where can I see the books that are available in mp3 format?
On Seneca's OverDrive page (http://seneca.lib.overdrive.com), look for the top-left navigation box called "Collections" (located underneath the "Powered by Overdrive" logo and "downloaded digital media GUIDED Tour" image). Click on "Browse Collections" and within this section, select the "View all MP3 Audiobooks" option.
Ok, I am running the OverDrive Media Console on a PC but I still cannot transfer a wma file to my iPod / iPhone / iPad.
Check if your problem is one of the two listed below and click on the question to see the answer:
If you encounter the error message "A problem has occurred in retrieving the Digital Rights Management machine identification. Contact Microsoft product support", try to perform a Windows Media Player Security Update and contact us if it does not fix the problem.
What about other mobile devices?
Click here to see a list of compatible devices. You may also test your device by following these instructions.
For more details and help, please refer to the Overdrive Help, their general FAQs, or you can email us a detailed description* of your problem / question.
*Please include the following information in your email:
- Steps to reproduce the problem (in as much detail as possible)
- Exact error message (screen shots are helpful)
- URL(s) of any error page(s) you encounter
- Title(s) of problem download(s)
- Applicable software version (this information can typically be found under Help > About.)
- Operating system (Mac® OS 10.6.2, Windows® 7, Windows Vista®, Windows XP, etc.)
- Internet browser and version (Internet Explorer® 8.0, Firefox® 3.0, etc. In most browsers, find this under Help > About.)
- If applicable, device type and operating system