Questions about eAudiobooks

What is an eAudiobook?
An eAudiobook is an electronic audiobook that can be downloaded from the internet. They can be listened to on a PC or portable MP3 player such as an iPod or a mobile phone. They come in two formats, WMA and MP3.

Does this mean there won't be as many audiobooks in libraries?
No, libraries will continue to receive the same number of audiobooks.

Is there a charge for borrowing eAudiobooks?
No, it's absolutely free.

Do I have to be a member of the library to borrow an eAudiobook?
Yes you do. You can complete the joining form online and you will then need to pick up your library card from a library.

Do I have to live in Wirral to sign up for this service?
OverDrive, the US-based company who supplies our eBook and eAudio service, has requested that access is limited to residents of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral only. This decision has been made as a result of UK and US publishers’ concerns surrounding rights and access issues.

However, there are several other UK library authorities offering eAudiobook access, so if you live outside Wirral we suggest you check with your local council to see if they offer this service.

How do I download an eAudiobook?
There are simple instructions on our download pages that will take you through how to do it.

Do I need special software to download them?
You will need to download and install OverDrive Media console software. If you don't already have it you can download it here. There are versions for PC and Mac.

What can I download an eAudiobook to?
You can download them onto a PC or a Mac if you want an MP3 version. eAudiobooks can be transferred onto a phone or MP3 player. Currently WMA versions are not available for a Mac.

What eAudiobooks do you have?
We have a collection of popular fiction and non-fiction, including bestselling titles and authors. Take a look at our latest catalogue.

How many titles can I borrow at one time?
You can have four eAudiobooks on loan at any one time.

How long can I keep them for?
You can keep your chosen eAudioBooks for three weeks.

Can I renew them after that time?
eAudiobooks can't be renewed in the traditional sense. However, if no one else wants the books you can borrow them again at the end of your loan period.

Will I get any fines if I am late in returning my eAudiobooks?
No. You don't even have to return them. The file will simply become inactive after three weeks.

Can I return an eAudiobook early?
It's not possible to return eAudibooks early but you can choose a borrowing period of 7, 14 or 21 days. To do this choose an option from the 'lending period' dropdown menu which appears on the page where you check out your eAudiobooks.

If a library has a CD copy of an audiobook, will it be available as an eAudiobook?
This will depend on whether the publisher has released it as an eAudiobook. Not all titles are available in this format. As this is a new service we won't have as many eAudiobook titles available as we do printed copies within a branch. However as our eAudiobook service becomes even more popular, we will regularly expand our collection.

Can I make a request for an eAudiobook?
Yes, you can request up to four eAudiobooks at one time. If a book is not available when you want it you will be given the option to reserve it when you try to download the book.

When the books become available you will receive an e-mail informing you that they are ready. You then have three days to download them. If you don't download them within that time they then will become available to other readers.

How do I download an eAudiobook to an Apple device?
Downloaded the eAudiobook in the normal way using the OverDrive Media Console software. You will then need to change the settings in iTunes so that it checks for eAudiobooks whenever you sync you Apple device. Instructions on how to do this are available on the Overdrive website.

More help with eAudiobooks