What are eAudiobooks?
eAudiobooks are digital versions of audiobooks that are available through the Internet. Audiobooks can be played on any personal desktop or laptop computer supporting Microsoft Windows Media Player v9 and above, Musicmatch Jukebox v8.2 and above, or Nullsoft Winamp v5 and above. You must have a broadband internet connection.

You can also transfer your favorite titles to a wide range of portable devices, including portable music players, portable media centers, Pocket PCs, and even select smartphone devices. Please note that NetLibrary eAudiobooks cannot be played on either iPods or Microsoft's Zune devices at this time, and eaudiobooks are not compatible with Macintosh computers.

Creating a Free Account To download and listen to eAudiobooks, first come into any Grand Rapids Public Library to create a free NetLibrary account. If you already have a NetLibrary account, you can use the same login. Access to NetLibrary eAudiobooks is limited to Grand Rapids Public Library cardholders.

1. From the library's home page (www.grpl.org), click on Databases.

2. Choose the NetLibrary eAudiobooks under the Reference heading. Once you get to the webpage, use the create a free account link on the right

3. Enter your identifying information (user name, password, email address).

4. Click the Create Account button.

Logging in

1. Go to www.netlibrary.com

2. Enter your username and password and click Log in.

3. You now have access to all eAudiobooks available in the library's collection.

Searching for an Audiobook
Basic Search lets you quickly perform a search by entering terms and selecting a single search field. You may choose to search for your terms in the Keyword, Title, or Author fields. Basic search is prominently featured on the home page and is also available on the right side of every page with the exception of the Advanced Search page.

1. Enter search term in the Basic Search field.

2. Select keyword, title, or author.

3. Click search.

Advanced Search lets you construct more complicated searches using multiple fields and Boolean operators.

1. Click on the Advanced Search tab located in the top navigation.

2. Use to the drop down menu to select search parameter (Title, Author, Subject, ISBN).

3. Enter search term or multiple search terms using Boolean operators.

4. Click search.

Checking out an Audiobook
The default checkout period for a audiobook is three weeks. You may check out a maximum of ten audiobook titles at one time. You can download audiobooks to public computers in the library, but you may not play them back. The digital rights management (DRM) will validate the file to that machine and you will be unable to play it elsewhere. You'll want to save the file and take it with you.

1. From search results, click on the Download this Audiobook link to Open or Save the audiobook file.

2. Select a download option: CD quality, or radio quality. You must download CD quality if you want to transfer the file to your portable player.

3. If you select Open, NetLibrary will download the title and launch your media player. Click the Play button to listen to the audiobook. The Save option allows you to download the file to a directory of your choosing. Once the download is complete, you can open the eAudiobook directly from your media player, or by using Windows Explorer.

Renewing an Audiobook
Once an audiobook has been downloaded, it can be renewed at any time.

1. Go to www.netlibrary.com and log in.

2. Click on the My Checked Out Items link.

3. Click on Download this Audiobook for the title you wish to renew.

4. Click on Renew Your Checkout for 21 Days.

If you are attempting to access an audiobook with an expired license from your media player, NetLibrary will launch a pop-up browser that will prompt you to log in to renew your checkout.

1. Enter your user name and password.

2. Click the log in button.

3. Your license will automatically be renewed. Click play to listen to the audiobook.

Transferring an Audiobook to a Portable Device
You can use your media player to transfer a downloaded audiobook to portable devices supporting secure WMA format. NetLibrary automatically transfers a license to your portable device that will allow you to access the audiobook for up to three weeks from the date of original checkout. Please refer to your media player's help section for additional information.

More Help

More information on supported portable devices and a list of tested devices.

More help from the Audiobook FAQs

View NetLibrary Demo