This document provides instructions for downloading and transferring eBooks to an eReader using OverDrive and Adobe Digital Editions. The steps include downloading and installing Adobe Digital Editions, creating an Adobe ID, authorizing the eReader, signing into the library catalog to check out an eBook, downloading and opening the eBook file in Adobe Digital Editions, and dragging the file to the eReader to transfer it. It also explains how to return an eBook early using either Adobe Digital Editions or the Sony Reader Library software.

1. Download eBooks and
Transfer them to your eReader!
SONY Reader Daily Edition and Barnes & Noble Nook
Prerequisites
 You must have a library card to sign out eBooks.
 Find out if your eReader is compatible with the OverDrive system here:
http://www.overdrive.com/resources/drc/
 Be sure the following software is installed and up to date on your computer:
o OverDrive Media Console (http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc/)
o Java (http://www.java.com)
o Adobe Flash (http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer)
Ready, Set, Go!
Go to the Cortland Free Library web site--http://www.flls.org/cortlandlib/--and left click on the
OverDrive icon pictured below.
In order to download and read eBooks, you will need to download Adobe Digital Editions. You will find
a prompt to download this software in the green sidebar on the lower, right-hand side of your screen.
Left click on “Adobe Digital Editions”
and then on “Get Adobe Digital Editions.” You
will be transported to the Adobe website.
When the Adobe website opens, scroll down and left click on “Install.”
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2. Select the components you want to install—the default selections are fine—and left click on “Next.”
Verify the location in which you want the program installed—again, the default setting is fine—and left
click on “Install.”
Left click on “Close” when the installation is complete.
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3. Now you’ll be asked to login to or create an Adobe account—yes, it’s required. Left click “I Agree” if you
agree to the terms.
Having agreed to the terms, left click “Continue” to proceed with the setup.
If you already have an Adobe ID and password, then enter them in the boxes below. If not left click “get
an Adobe ID online” and you’ll be transported to the Adobe web site.
Get an Adobe ID online!
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4. Left click “Create an Adobe Account.”
Fill out the required fields and left click “Join Adobe.”
Left click “Continue.”
13) Now that you’ve created an account, you can go back and enter your ID and password into the
Adobe Digital Editions activation window. Left click “Activate.”
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5. 14) Left click “Finished.”
15) Now you’ll receive a prompt to authorize your eReader, so left click “Authorize Device.” (This step is
necessary so that you can copy your downloads from your computer to your eReader.)
16) Left click “Finish”
17) Adobe Digital Editions will now open, so plug your eReader into one of your computer’s USB ports.
The name of your eReader will show up on the left hand side of your screen under the “Bookshelves”
heading
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6. Ok, now it’s time to revisit the Cortland Free Library website (http://www.flls.org/cortlandlib) so you
can sign out some eBooks. Again, you’ll need to click on the OverDrive icon. Locate an eBook you would
like to check out.
Left click “Add to My Download Cart”
Then click on “Proceed to Checkout”
Now you’ll be prompted to sign in to your patron account.
Located beneath the barcode on your library card
By default, the last 4 digits of your phone number
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7. You’ll be asked to “Confirm check out.” Notice that you have the option to choose a 7, 14, or 21 day
check out.
Left click “Download”
and then “Save”
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8. Save the file to your desktop, as we have, so you don’t lose track of it.
Once the file is saved, an icon—such as the icon in the example below—will appear on your desktop.
Right click on the icon and then scroll down to “Open with.” Now left click on “Adobe Digital Editions”
in order to open it.
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9. Now you need to drag and drop the eBook file (Animal Dreams, in this example) into your eReader
device (the Barnes & Noble Nook, in this example).
And there you have it—you’ve downloaded an eBook onto your eReader!
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10. Sony Reader Library
The Reader Library is Sony’s ePub software. If you own a Sony eReader, you are not required to use it—
Adobe Digital Editions is compatible as well—however, you may opt to use it if you like.
Here is a picture of Sony’s already installed Reader Library
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11. How to Return an eBook (using Adobe Digital Editions)
Although the file will “disappear” at the end of your loan period, because you can only sign out three
OverDrive eBooks at once, you may want to manually return a title.
If you want to “return” an eBook before it has expired on your computer or eReader, do the following:
1) Open Adobe Digital Editions
2) Left click on the small arrow located to the left of the eBook title and scroll down to “Return
Borrowed Item.”
3) Left click on “Return” to confirm that you’d like to return the title. Now that your eBook has been
returned, it is no longer available in your library.
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12. How to Return an eBook (using the SONY Reader Library)
1) Open SONY Reader Library
2) Right click on book title and you’re presented with the following menu. Right click on “Return
Borrowed Item.”
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