Down Loading Book from the Library

With downloadable media available 24/7, the Prospect Heights Public Library is always open! You can check out and download the following types of digital materials at the library website:
1. eBooks in the Adobe® Digital Editions EPUB format
2. eBooks in the Adobe® Digital Edition PDF Format
3. eBooks in the Mobipocket Reader format
4. WMA Audiobooks in the OverDrive Media Console™ format
5. MP3 Audiobooks in the OverDrive Media Console™ format
6. Video in the OverDrive Media Console™ format

To access these digital materials you need…
1. A valid Prospect Heights library card Internet access
2. A computer or device that meets the system requirements for the type(s) of digital materials you wish to check out
3. Free software for the computer or device on which you wish to use the materials available at this site

To get started, go to the Prospect Heights Public Library website at www.phpl.info and look for the “Catalog” tab on the left side. Click on the tab to open more tabs. Click on the “MyMediaMall” tab.

This will open a new window for the MyMediaMall website. For step-by-step assistance on using the site, click on “Digital Media Help” at the top of the screen, then “Quick Start Guide”. There are detailed instructions for each type of media.

What is an 'eBook'?
'eBook' is short for 'electronic book', a digital version of a print book that has been optimized for on-screen reading. eBooks are available in a variety of different formats that can be read on a personal computer or hand-held device designed specifically for this purpose

What is an OverDrive WMA Audiobook?
An OverDrive WMA Audiobook title is a digitally-protected audiobook that has been optimized for download. OverDrive WMA Audiobook titles are built using the Microsoft® Windows Media® Audio format, which greatly enhances the sound quality for desktop listening, play of CD copies (where permitted by the publisher), and portable device use.

What is an OverDrive MP3 Audiobook?
An OverDrive MP3 Audiobook title is an audiobook that has been optimized for download. OverDrive MP3 Audiobook titles are compatible with many different devices including most cell phones, PDAs, and MP3 players.

What is an OverDrive Video title?
An OverDrive Video title is a digitally-protected video file that has been optimized for download. OverDrive Video titles are built using the Microsoft Windows Media Video format, which greatly enhances the sound quality for desktop viewing and portable device use. Note that OverDrive Video is a high speed Internet-only product.

In order to borrow and use a specific format of digital media, you must download and install the appropriate software. These software programs are available on the MyMediaMall website. Simply choose which format you need and follow the steps for downloading and installing the software.

Then browse or search MyMediaMall for downloadable materials. When you locate a title of interest, add it to the cart and check out the title. Once you have checked out a title, a download page is displayed. Click the 'Download' link to start the download. Once the download is complete, open and enjoy the title. You will never accrue late fees with titles you download from MyMediaMall. At the end of the loan period, titles will expire and be automatically 'returned' to the library. At this time, you can delete the expired file(s) from your computer.

Additional Features of MyMediaMall:
Search for digital materials using a variety of criteria on the advanced search page. Take digital materials with you on-the-go. Many audio titles can be burned to CD, and most audio titles can be transferred to supported portable devices.
If you come across a title that you are interested in checking out, you can add it to your 'Wish List'.
If a desired title is not available, you can place it on hold.


Notes on Checking Out MyMediaMall Materials:

The system allows you to put up to 7 titles in your cart at the same time.
A title will be automatically removed from your cart 30 minutes after you have placed it there.
You can have up to 5 titles checked out at any given time.
Lending periods can vary from title to title.
Due to publisher licensing agreements, OverDrive media titles and Mobipocket titles cannot be returned early. They will automatically be returned at the end of the lending period. The items you have checked out cannot be renewed, but you can check them out again if they are available when the checkout expires.
Only Adobe® eBooks may be returned early.
Material not available can be placed on hold and reserved for you to check out once it becomes available. When the title is available for you, you will receive an email with instructions on checking the item out. The item will be held for you for 3 days (starting when you are emailed notice that the title is available).
You can place up to 7 titles on hold at any given time.

Why Do I Need a Computer

The simple answer is no, but you don't need a TV, a Car or a Radio either. These are all tools that make it easier to do things faster or better.
More important a computer can keep you alive and active in today's world. It can help you keep your mind active and alert.

What can a computer do?
It can communicate, bring you information, store important information, create, edit and sort photos, keep track of budgets and money, and play games. That is a pretty long list and it is only the start. Most of these things can be done with a simple computer. The bigger the task the more powerful the computer must be. Just like a small car can be used for shopping and short trips, but if you want to travel across the country or bring along many friends you need a bigger car. And just like cars, the more complex the computer, the more you have to learn to use it.

Are there different types?
The two main types of computers are PC's and Apple/Mac's. This refers to the operating system interface that lets you use the computer. These operating systems tell the computer what each keystroke or mouse click means and are referred to as GUI's or Graphical User Inferfaces. About 15% of computers sold are Apple/Macs, and PC's represent 85%. Of that 85%, 95% of the PCs use Windows and 5% use a third system, Linux. Linux systems are more complex and usually used by experts and "Nerds”.

In addition to the Operating system there are different physical types of computers, desk top, lap-top and the net book.
Desktops are the largest with a tower, a monitor, a mouse and keyboard. Desktops are usually the most powerful and offer the most computer for the money. They can have features not available on the smaller computer types. They come with any of the GUI's.
Laptops or Notebooks are more portable and contain the keyboard, pointing device and monitor in one unit. They are not truly laptops and usually are used on a desk as they give off to much heat for your lap. They weigh from 4 to 8 pounds and operate on batteries or with a power cord. Again they can have any GUI.
Netbooks are the smallest and lightest computers designed for travel. They weigh from 1.8 to 3 pounds and are as small as a large paperback book. They are usually less powerful with less software and features. Netbooks run on batteries or a power cord. Netbooks use either the Window or Linux GUI.

Things a computer can do!

Communicate!
Send letters and even pictures anywhere in the world to another computer in seconds. If your friend is online at the same time, you can type messages back and forth instantly. With a little extra equipment, you can talk to each other and see each other. Video phoning is a reality with the Internet.

Finance!
Check bank balances and stock accounts instantly, with real time information. Buy stocks, pay bills and move money between accounts with a few keystrokes. Setup budgets and expense spreadsheets to keep track of your assets.

Travel!
Check airline schedules, ticket prices and book flights from your living room and save money while doing it. Book hotels, with pictures of the rooms, rent cars and book side trips all at once. In each case, you can print copies of the reservations for your safety..
Find things to see while you travel: parks, amusements and special events along with descriptions and photos.
See maps of any area in the country with overhead views of the area showing real photos of the buildings and structures in the area.
See real time live videos of road and traffic conditions on most Interstates and in major cities. Listen to your home radio stations while you're away on streaming radio over the Intern net.

Fun Things!
Games: Computers allow you to play games like bridge, poker, and thousands of others. There is always something to do.
Music: The computer can store and play any music you own. It can rearrange the music into personal play lists. You can buy hard to find songs and add them to your collection.
Television: Missed your favorite TV show? Most of them can be found on the web and viewed on your computer.
Photos: Your computer can store and edit all your photos. You can recover those faded prints and make them look like they did originally. It can also put them in order so they are easy to find and print. Making them into a slide show is a snap with titles and comments. Now you can bore your friends showing not just 4x6 pictures, but entire presentations of your vacations or grandkids.

Information!
Medical knowledge: Look up medicines and their side effects. See the most current treatments for any condition. Find support groups for special problems and share your concerns with others with the same problems and how they handled them.
General Knowledge: The Internet is an information source greater then any library. Whether it is a person, a product or an idea, you can find articles full of discussions.

It must seem like computers can do everything, but we have only scratched the surface. But remember, they are only a tool; you are the important part, the user. It allows you to use your mind and keep it active.