Monthly Archives: April 2014

Today’s eResource tip is something so obvious and so simple you’ll probably wonder why I’m even sharing it.  It’s so obvious and so simple that I overlooked it for the past 3+ years…Overdrive’s Add to Wish List function.

When I can’t sleep at night, I grab my iPad and begin scrolling through Overdrive, looking for new ebooks and audiobooks to download and/or put on hold. Eventually, by following the breadcrumb trail of Recommended for You titles, I reach my 10 item check out limit or realize that I’ve gotten a little over zealous with my holds. At this point, I begin switching back and forth between my Overdrive and my Goodreads apps,  so I can add titles to my Goodreads to-read shelf (which currently has 480 titles on it).

Other times, I’m too tired to even think about switching between the apps and trying to navigate the Goodreads app’s clunky title search function. I repeat the title I want to read, but am too tired to add to my to-read shelf, to myself a few times–convinced this will make me remember what I want to read. It almost never works.

And this is why I am so glad I finally noticed the Add to Wish List function. I know longer have to wrack my brain in the morning trying to remember what I decided I wanted to read at 2am!

And now I have t0-read lists accumulating titles in two different apps!

-Kelly, CLP – Main, Teen

Can’t get enough of the latest song from your favorite group or artist?  Need some new music to pump up your workouts?  Feel like dancing today but nothing good’s on the radio?  Check out Freegal for all your music needs!  Everything that you need to know is below.

What’s Freegal?

A downloadable music service brought to you by your library. All you need is your library barcode number. Freegal offers you access to around 3 million songs, including Sony Music’s catalog of artists. The total collection features music from over 10,000 different labels originating from more than 60 countries. Simultaneous downloads may take place, ensuring that a large number of patrons can all download the same song at the same time with no waitlist. Plus, music will appear on Freegal the same day a physical CD from a popular artist is released. So, if Adele puts out a CD on Monday, Freegal will have it the same day!

How does it work?

Patrons will receive 3 music downloads per week at NO COST. A download usage counter is located in the upper right corner of freegalmusic.com displaying your weekly allotment. There is no software to download, no digital rights management, and all materials are yours to keep and transfer to any listening device. The site is set up to allow you to browse or search for your favorite music or artist. You can use the navigation button at the top of the page to browse by keyword, artist, or album; an advanced search page is available, too. Freegal also offers a “Top Downloads” list on the homepage where you can browse a variety of popular music selections.

Are the song really free?

Yes, the music is free and yours to keep. That is to say it is free in the same way that any material owned by the library is “free” to patrons. This service is provided and paid for by your library.

Why are there limits on downloads?

The 3 song per week rule is in place to allow the maximum number of patrons to have equal access to the songs in the Freegal Music Service. A message reading “Limit Exceeded” appears when you have used all of your downloads for the week.

How do I search for a song or artist?

You can use the navigation bar across the top of the Freegal homepage, browse A-Z, or use a keyword search to find something specific.  And now you can use the new “Search All” option to search albums, artists, composers and songs at the same time!

How do I download a song onto my computer?

When you have found a song that you want, click on the “Download Now” button next to the chosen song. At the prompt, select “Save” and choose where to save the song. If you are not presented with this prompt, right click the link and choose the option to save the file.

If I cancel a download, does that count toward my 3?

YES!! Anytime you click on “Download Now,” even if you choose to cancel the download or to play it without saving, it counts toward your maximum downloads. To avoid this, please use the song clip sample to ensure that you are getting the right song. We cannot credit downloads!

What’s “Recent Downloads?”

This function allows you to keep track of songs that you recently downloaded and to re-download a song up to 2 more times within 2 weeks for reinstall purposes. This may be helpful in your connection timed out in the middle of a download! A re-download does not count in your weekly download allotment.

What about Digital Rights Management?

There are no Digital Rights Management, and these files are downloaded as MP3 files which are compatible with any MP3 player or device. You can transfer the music to any computer, player, or even burn to a CD. Copyright laws apply to all music downloaded.

 How do I burn a CD?

You can use iTunes, Windows Media Player, or a third-party software like Roxie. Just follow the instructions found in the software for burning the CD.

How do I get the songs to Windows Media Player?

If the song doesn’t open directly into Windows Media Player then click and drag the song into the window or select File-Import File. To select multiple songs select File-Import Folder. Select he files you wish to add then click “OK.” The song(s) will now appear in Windows Media Player library.

How do I transfer songs via iTunes?

Freegal Music has its own iOS Application which can be downloaded from Apple iTunes App Store. Some users may still wish to download songs to their PC and sync their mobile device, since this will leave a copy of the music on the computer’s memory. To get music on the iPhone, iPod, or iPad, Freegal recommends the following procedure:

1. Press “Download Now”
2. Press “Save”
3. Direct download to desktop
4. Import the file into iTunes by dragging the file from the desktop to the open iTunes application
5. The next time you sync the device, the music should be both on the home base computer and the device.

Is there an App for that?

Yes, there is! Search for “Freegal Music” in the Apple iTunes App Store if you have an Apple device. If you have an Android phone or tablet, search for “Freegal Music” in the Google Play store.

Start listening with Freegal today!

~Heather Panella, Moon Township Public Library