from press releases

Redding Library has launched a digital delivery system of audio books, e-books, movies and music through its website.

The new Digital Media collection, accessed through shastalibraries.org, makes checking out favorite audio selections a snap. There are also e-books (think Kindle or Sony Reader), movies and music.

Downloaded material can be enjoyed on a PC or a Mac, or transferred to a variety of portable devices.

Using the digital media library is similar to using Netflix or Amazon. Suggested and new titles make up the main page, and these can be browsed. On the left side of the page are links to browsing media by type, genre or featured collections. You can also search by the type of media you are looking for, author, title, or subject. When you have made your selection, click on the title link to be taken to the page for that title. This page includes background information about your selection, as well as formatting and digital rights information. A list of icons tells you which operating system the selection works with, the types of portable devices the selection can be transferred to and whether it can be burned to CD.

To download a selection, add it to your cart. Holds may be placed on any titles that are not immediately available. When you are ready to check out, click “Proceed to Checkout” and you will be prompted to enter your library card number and PIN. You will be prompted to “Confirm Checkout”, and the next page will prompt you to download the appropriate software needed for your selection. The OverDrive Media Console is needed for audio and video titles.

The Adobe Digital Collections is needed for e-books. You will be prompted to download the respective software the first time you check out each type of selection. Once the software is downloaded, your selection will immediately download to your computer.

When your download is complete, the title is “checked out.” You may download up to five titles at one time, and OverDrive keeps a record of what you currently have checked out.

At the end of the lending period, each title will be automatically “returned” to the digital media collection.

No hassle, no fines. All that is needed is a computer, Internet access and a Shasta Public Libraries card. Try it today!

For information, call 245-7264, or visit shastalibraries.org.