3M on Your Computer
Everything you need to do is contained in the 3M Computer App--search and checkout a book, read it, transfer it to a portable device. There is no need to visit a website or use any other programs in order to use the ebooks library.
Compatibility:
- Windows 8, 7, Vista, and XP (service pack 3). XP users--please realize XP is getting very old!
- Mac OSX
- list of compatible devices for transfer are found below.
Current Version:
- Windows: 1.33
- Mac: 1.33, this is first version released to the public on 1/2/13
Video Tutorials:
Text Instructions:
- Getting Started (download the software, log in)
- Overview of App Features (your account, searching for books)
- Get a Book Right Now
- Check Out a Book
- Reading a Book on the Computer
- Transfer a Book to a Device
- Devices Compatible for Transfer
- Holds
- Return a Book Early
- Reading Multiple Books & Using More Than One Device
- Sharing a Computer with Others? (how to log out)
Getting Started
Download Software, Log in!
- Download the 3M Cloud Library software. System requirements are listed on the download page, which will open in a new window.
- Windows 7, Vista, XP (with SP 3)
- Mac OSX--please note that some Macs flag the 3M Cloud Library as being from an unknown source. When prompted, allow 3M Cloud Library access.
- Open the software to set it up for your initial use (should only have to do this once if on a personal computer that you do not have to share). Answer each field!
- Select State/County-pick KS from the menu.
- Select Library-- "State Library of Kansas - Capitol Building."
- Library-ID/Username-- enter your 6-digit Kansas Library Card number. Your local public library card is not compatible with this system. If you need a Kansas Library Card, please visit your public or school library to get one.
- Password--this is your birthdate in MMDDYYYY format. Example: January 1, 1980 should be entered as 01011980.
- Click the log in button.
Adobe Authentication
- After logging in, the 3M Cloud Library will ask a question about Adobe IDs (this software is based on Adobe technology). If you have
- Used Adobe Digital Editions on your computer before, the system will want to use the Adobe ID associated with the software. Say Yes.
- Have not used Adobe Digital Editions on the computer before, you should be asked to set an Adobe ID or be asked if you wish to use a system-generated ID. Either is fine.
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Overview of App Features
The 3M Cloud Library software has 4 main tabs, accessible through these buttons. Each section is described below.
Shelves
These are the display cases of the library. We are still deciding how to use this area properly. At the moment (August 2012) we have removed general subject shelves in favor of displaying Kansas Notable Books. Below is an example of a shelf we made last spring:
To browse all of the books in a Shelf, click "list view" (circled above in green).
This brings you a page that is easy to scroll through of the books. Each book's checkout status is shown on the page. Note that you can change how the list is sorted (button circled in red). It defaults to sorting by title.
Categories
Categories are the "subject browse" section of the app. It can be set up to show only books that can be checked out right now. See below for instructions on this.
3M is still trying to index the books properly, so if you see a book in a category that is incorrect, do not worry about this for now. It is being worked on.
Search
The search is a simple one for now. Try a one-word search for best results. Shown below is part of a search screen. The word "Jance" was searched (a mystery author). Note that you can sort the list of results (circled in red). Search works well with keywords, not just titles or authors.
Advanced search (circled in yellow) allows you to opt to only see books that are currently available for checkout in your searches. Be aware that this option will remain on until you chose to turn it off.
My Books
This is your account screen. The My Books screen has an area that shows what books you are reading, the books that you have on hold, and books on your wishlist.
Currently Reading area appears as a bookcase. It will show the books you have currently checked out. Clicking list view (circled in red) will show you more options for your checked out items.
.png "my books bookshelf")
List View allows you to see the details on each book without opening each book to check. Each book will be shown with (at least) the Read & Check In options, and how many days you have left of the checkout period. Choose the back button to return to your main My Books page.
The rest of your account information is shown below the Currently Reading area.
Holds will always estimate how long of a wait you have on your books. For more about holds, see the section on Holds below.
Wish List is an area to save books that the library does not have yet. If you stumble across a book that is suggested, but we do not have, you may add it to the wish list. If the library purchases that book you will be notified by the system.
Reading History preserves what you have read, and any ratings you have applied to those books.
Message Center will be a place that you can read notices and updates from the library, and notifications of items available on your holds or wishlist (if you have not yet seen them).
Account Profile only shows that you are signed up with the State Library of Kansas Cloud Library, but it is also where you can "Change Library Identification." This will return you to the login page, where a another person could sign in with their account. This will only be necessary if you share your computer with another person on the same Windows User login.
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Get a Book Right Now!
The Categories tab is the best way to find a book to read right now. No holds or extensive searching for these books! To turn on the option to browse only books that are available, go to the Categories tab and look for the "Advanced Filter" button on the right side. Open this, and select "Books available to check out" on the list.
Once this is selected, the categories will only show what you can check out immediately.
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Check Out a Book!
When you have found a book you are interested in, click on the book's cover. This will pull up the Book Detail page. Note that you can view a full summary as well as similar books to the one you are interested in. Usually these are other books by the author.
Obviously, from here click the green "checkout" button to check out this book. If the book is currently checked out, it will be a button to place a hold instead.
Immediately after clicking Checkout, the My Books tab comes up. The book has been checked out to you for 14 days.
The new book will appear on in the Currently Reading list.
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Reading a Book on the Computer
1. In the My Books tab of your 3M Cloud Library, simply click on the book's cover to open it!
2. The book opens. Note that the book opened in a 5th tab, to the right of the My Books tab. To progress through the book, use the arrow on the right side of the book's pages.
Book Reading Options--upper right corner of the book.
The i brings up the book details page. On this page you can check the book in early, see the table of contents (jump forward by chapter if necessary), see the bookmarks you have created, and a list of similar books.
The large and small A buttons allow you to change text size. Click the large A to increase text size, or the small one to shrink it.
The magnifying glass allows you to search inside the book for a keyword.
The faint square box is the bookmarks feature. Bookmarks may be set with additional notes you create. Notice that the bookmark looks like a post-it--3M manufactures Post-its.
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Transfer to a Device
Instructions below were created with a Nook Color as the test device. Most devices should be on before plugging them in to the computer for transfer.
1. Connect your device to the computer. Your device should be on before you plug it into the computer in order for it to be recognized by the computer.
2. In the 3M Cloud Library, in the My Books tab, the software should be recognizing your device, and now there should be a green "download to device" button for each book.
3. Click the green "download to device" button for the book you wish to transfer. You may need to re-affirm your adobe ID selection at this time. The book will transfer quickly, and alert you when complete.
.png "3M download progress")
4. Properly eject your eReader from the computer! You are ready to read your book. You will have the regular reading functions of your ereader for this book. Some ereaders may file the title under the folder "Digital Editions."
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Compatible with Transfer
These are the devices that Kansas users have reported as compatible with transfer from the computer so far. Please make sure your device is fully updated!
- Nooks (all types--Nook Color, Tablet, and HD/HD+ are now compatible with the Android mobile app)
- Literati Reader
- Sony eReader--older models only, not the newest Sony eReaders.
- Kobo Reader
- Manual transfer for incompable ereaders, like the newer Sony eReaders or other regular ereaders not listed above (sorry, does not work for Kindle).
- Transfer process for Kindle Fire and Android devices incompatible with the Android app.
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Holds
When a hold is placed, the progress of a hold is shown on the My Books screen. It estimates the wait period for a book based on the number of people ahead of you in the list, the maximum checkout period of 14 days, and the number of copies of the book the library owns. It does not mean that you will have to wait exactly that long--after all, books can be checked in early!
Notifications: for now, you must set your email address for holds through your 3M web account. Click here to learn how to do this. The option to set this inside your 3M software will be available soon.
Checking out a hold: your book will appear with a green Check Out button in your Hold List when it is available (see image below). Click this button and then finalize your check out! The book moves into your "Currently Reading" shelf and is ready to read or transfer.
Managing holds: decide you do not want a hold anymore? It is easy to remove it. Click the "Show All" button above your holds list (circled in red), then you will see the option to remove holds.
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Returning a Book Early
If you finish with a book early, you may return it. This option is not available in the 3M software at the moment due to a glitch. In the meantime, you can use the 3M Browsing Website to remove books rom your account.
- Go to the 3M Website.
- Sign in the same way as to the software (Kansas Library Card number and birthdate).
- Click on "My Books."
- This screen should allow you to check in books from your account.
Please note that checking the book in on your account does not remove any book you have loaded to an ereader (such as a Nook). You will need to delete the ebook from your device, here is how.
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Reading and Multiple Devices
Reading Multiple Books at Once
If you read directly on the computer, there should not be any problem with reading more than one book at a time. However, you should always close each book and return to your "My Books" screen to be sure your place was saved.
Reading on Multiple Devices or Computers
The 3M Cloud Library allows you access to your checked out books, on all versions of the app, throughout your checkout period. Please realize that regular ereaders (like the Nook, Sony, etc) will save your place on that reader, but cannot communicate what page you are on to the 3M Cloud Library apps. Keep this in mind if you intend to use multiple devices to read the same book.
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Sharing a Computer
Two people using the same computer? Both of you want to use 3M Cloud Library?
If you all use the same user account on the computer, you must log out of the 3M Cloud Library app so someone else can use it. Here's how:
1. Go to the My Books screen.
2. Click on "Account Profile"
3. Select "modify library information" (Note: this will say that you must return all books on your account before doing this. We have not found this to be true.)
4. This will log you out and close the app. When you reopen the app it will ask for a log in.
What's a user account? You can set up different users on Windows computers. It allows each person to have separate usage on the computer. If you have children, it also may allow you to set parental controls on their accounts. You can learn more about user accounts (and how to set them up) at the Microsoft Help & How To Center. Select your version of Windows (7, Vista, XP) and look for user account information from there.
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