eBook and Downloadable Audiobook
Frequently Asked Questions

I got an eReader as a gift and don't know where to start!

These support sites are very helpful when you are just getting started:

For more advanced help try these:

From Amazon:


Who can I call for help?
If you have tried the help links above and still need help, call  251-208-7079  during Library hours: Mon.-Thurs. 9am-8pm, Fri. and Sat. 9am-6pm and on Sundays during the school year from 1-5pm.   If you need extensive help, they will be happy to make an appointment for one-on-one instruction.

Will the 3M Cloud Library run on any PC?
Supported Operating Systems:
Windows 7
Windows Vista
Windows XP SP3

Recommended configuration:
CPU: Dual Core
Memory: 2 GB
Available Disk Space: Minimum 40 MB needed for installation.
Internet Connection: Broadband (minimum 1.5 Mbps)

Do I need a library card?
Yes, you need a Mobile Public Library card in good standing. Overdrive also requires a  PIN.  Just stop in at one
of our branches or call 251-208-7072 to get your PIN.

Help! I can’t log in.
You may need to update your contact info or clear outstanding fines. Please call 208-7072 for staff assistance with your record.

I downloaded an eBook but now I can't find it on my ereader!
eBooks borrowed from the Library don't usually show up in the same place on your ereader as titles you purchase like
Books, My Books, or Library.  It will vary with the different types of ereaders.  Try looking in some other places on your reader like Archives, My Items, Files, My Files, My Stuff, or Digital Editions.

Are there limits on checkouts and holds?
Yes.  You can check out 3 items at a time and place 2 holds. Holds will expire after 2 days if not checked out.

How long can I keep eBooks and  Downloadable Audiobooks?
You can keep eBooks for 14 days and you can choose a checkout period for downloadable audiobooks of 7 or 14 days.  They will expire automatically and there are NO LATE FEES. 
 
Can I return my items early so I can check out more?
Yes, that would be great! 

On the 3M Cloud Library, you can no longer return books early on the PC app due to publisher restrictions. But you can view your account and return ebooks on your PC at ebook.3m.com  - go to the bottom of the screen and login using "At The Library".  Login with your library card number, go to My Books and List View to select the book you want to return.    

And you can still look at your account and return items on your iPhone, iPad or Android device. For iPhone/iPad, go to My Books. There is a red check in button at the top of the screen - tap it and an X will appear on the cover of each book. Just tap the X to check in. Or you can do it in List View as always.   On Android devices go to My Books and tap List View.  Tap the book you want to return and scroll down till you see the red Check In button.

Kindle items can be returned via Manage My Kindle in your Amazon Account. 

Overdrive Audio content can be returned in the Overdrive Media console.

Can I renew eBooks and Downloadable Audiobooks that I have checked out?
Electronic materials cannot be renewed, but you can check them out again if they do not have any holds when the
checkout period ends. 

How long will I have to wait for a title if I am on hold?
MPL will buy extra copies of a title as multiple holds are placed.  EBooks can’t be returned late or renewed so your wait won’t be too long.  Sometimes however a publisher will remove a title from sale to libraries after we have purchased it.  If it is a popular title we can have many holds on one copy but be unable to purchase additional copies to fill holds.

What is a "Wish List" ?
The "Wish List" is different on the 3M Cloud Library and Overdrive.  On the 3M Cloud Library, it is a way to suggest titles
for the Library to purchase.  On Overdrive, it is your personal list of titles you'd like to read later.

Do I need to connect my device to my PC with a cable to download even if I have WIFI?
This varies by device.  iPhone, iPad, and Kindle Fire seem to work fine with WIFI.  Older Kindles and Nooks may need
to be connected to your PC with a USB cable.

Why doesn’t the library buy every best selling title in eBook format?
Not all publishers will sell eBooks to libraries.  As of January 2012, we are unable to purchase new releases from
Macmillan or any title by Simon and Schuster and Brilliance Audio. Harper-Collins requires that we purchase a new copy of a title after 26 uses. Budget is a considerations as well. Random House has recently raised prices by as much as 300% and Penguin charges a similar amount. So while you may see a price of $12.99 on the internet, we could pay as much as $70 - $90.

Why do you have two companies for ebooks?
We were a Beta Test Site with 3M, one of only 12 in the country, as they developed their new ebook lending product, but wanted to offer Kindle content and downloadable audiobooks as well.  We contracted with Overdrive in order to bring this service to our cardholders.

Why do I have to wait for an eBook?  Aren’t these virtual?
Libraries have to purchase an eBook in the same way they purchase physical books.  The publishers require us to abide by one copy/one user model just as we do with physical books.  We try to anticipate which titles will be popular by purchasing extra copies but we don’t have the funds to buy enough copies to fill every patron request immediately.

EBooks are less expensive than print books.  Why doesn’t the library own more eBooks?
The price that we pay to the publishers for eBooks is higher than the price charged to private consumers.  In many cases
 the publishers charge the library more than the cost of a print copy and some up to 300% more.

Are eBooks and eAudiobooks in the MPL catalog?
Yes, they are. You can search for them in the MPL catalog just like any other library materials.  Catalog records for electronic materials include a link that will redirect you to The 3M Cloud Library or OverDrive for Kindle content and downloadable audiobooks.  (click on the details button, then the catalog record tab.)There is sometimes a time lag between a title being added to our collection and the library catalog being updated. For example, when we purchase a new OverDrive title, it is immediately added to our OverDrive site, but we may not receive the catalog records from Overdrive for several weeks. To make sure you are seeing all the eBooks and eAudiobooks we own, search our 3M Cloud Library and OverDrive sites directly.

How do I know which eAudiobook format to choose?
MP3 eAudiobooks can be used with the widest variety of devices, including Apple products, smartphones, and MP3 players from manufacturers such as Creative and SanDisk.  DRM-Free WMA files are not compatible with smartphones, but work with most other devices.  If you use a smartphone or iPad to access Overdrive you will only see the MP3 format audiobooks.  If you check out WMA audiobooks on Overdrive, you will not be able to transfer them to your smartphone or iPad unless you first connnect the device to your PC with a USB cable and use iTunes to make the transfer. For more information, visit  OverDrive’s Device Resource Center.

Can I download Audiobooks to my iPod?
Yes! OverDrive has MP3 eAudiobooks, and most of OverDrive’s WMA eAudiobooks can also be used on an iPod or iPhone. You will have to connect  it to your PC and transfer with iTunes.

I don’t have an iPod.  Can I still listen to Downloadable Audiobooks?
Yes!  You can listen to Audiobooks on your computer, or transfer them to a wide array of mobile devices.
For more information, visit  OverDrive’s Device Resource Center.

How about my iPad?
Yes, you can listen to Downloadable Audiobooks from OverDrive and read eBooks from 3M on your iPad. You can read  Kindle eBooks from Overdrive with the free Kindle App for Apple mobile devices. Get the free OverDrive Media Console app at the AppStore.

How do I delete something from my device after I'm finished?
This varies widely by device.  On the 3M app for iPhones and iPads, the book will just disappear after you check it in.  
But on some ereaders you have to do something - on some you tap the book jacket and hold it and a menu pops up and on some you swipe to delete. In the Overdrive Media Console you are given a choice to return or return and delete when
you click on the book jacket. For some devices you might have to connect it to your PC and go to My Computer,
select the device (often listed as "Removable Device") and delete the files from the list of files on that device. .