3M Computer App
3M Cloud Library - Access Via PC
The 3M Cloud Library software for PC operates much differently than the library software you have used in the past. 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: the computer software is compatible with Windows 7, Vista, and XP (service pack 3). The Mac version is still in development. Information on compatible devices for transfer is included below.
Current Version: 1.25, released 9/20/12.
Video Tutorials:
Text Instructions:
- Getting Started (download the software, log in)
- Overview of App Features (your account, searching for books)
- Search or Browse for a Book (to check out right now)
- Check Out a Book
- Lending Periods, Limits
- Reading a Book on the Computer
- Transfer a Book to a Device (includes compatible devices)
- Holds
- Return a Book Early
- Using More Than One Device
- Sharing a Computer with Others?
Getting Started
1. Download the software for PC here. System requirements are listed on the download page, which will open in a new window.
2. 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!
a. Select State/County-pick KS from the menu.
b. Select Library--for Kansas, there is only one Cloud Library, but you must select it to continue. It is named "State Library of Kansas - Capitol Building."
c. Library-ID--tap here to enter your 6-digit Kansas Library Card number. At this time your regular public library card number is not compatible with the new system. If you need a Kansas Library Card, please visit your public or school library to get one.
d. Password--this is your birthdate in MMDDYYYY format. Example: January 1, 1980 should be entered as 01011980 or 01/01/1980.
d. Click the log in button to finalize your setup!
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. Expect to see these change frequently for now. We are trying to determine what works best here, and compensate for any errors that are occuring with the Categories.
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. This now contains a feature to limit browsing to the books that are only
Search
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).
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.
Search or Browse for a Book
Currently, the Shelves section goes quickly out of date, and the search/browse features in the PC app are now in need an update. If you are looking for something to check out right now, we recommend using the 3M Cloud Library Browsing Website.
Log in on the website the same way as to the software. Anything you check out on the website will be available to use in your software the next time you open it.
Categories or Search are the best way to find something right now:
Categories (subject browse)
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Search
Examples of a keyword:
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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.
Lending Periods, Limits
Checkout period is 14 days. Please realize that you can return your books early. This is especially encouraged in the early days of our account. Please return your book when you are finished so it can be used by another.
Checkout limit is five. You can have 5 books checked out at once!
Holds limit is ten. You can have up to 10 books on hold at a time. Please realize that with the checkout limit this could cause a bind if you have multiple books come ready at once. You will have to decide which you are most interested in if this happens.
Holds grace period is 3 days. You have 72 hours to check out a book once it becomes available to you. After that time, it will pass to the next patron.
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 first time you open a book, 3M Cloud Library needs to activate an Adobe ID. After this, you should only have to affirm your activation. What exactly will happen depends on your situation.
A. If you do not have Adobe Digital Editions installed on your computer (please note that this is NOT necessary, you do not need to install ADE unless you need it for another purpose), you will be given the option of using a system-provided Adobe ID or using your own. Make a choice and proceed.
B. If you already have Adobe Digital Editions installed on your computer and authorized with your personal Adobe ID, the 3M Cloud Library app will use your personal ID to continue. You will get this screen:
3. The book opens after you have set the activation status. 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.
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."
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
- Literati Reader
- Sony eReader--older models only, not the newest Sony eReaders like model PRS-T1.
- 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.
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: the 3M Cloud Library cannot email you. You are responsible for keeping track of your holds. Open your 3M Cloud Library app regularly if you are waiting for a book.
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.
Returning a Book Early
Check in is not available from inside version 1.25 of the software. You may allow your books to expire and return to the collection. If you would like to remove a book from your account, please realize you can do this from the 3M Browsing Website. Log in to this website with your Kansas Library Card and birthdate, just as the software.
Please note that checking the book in on your account does not remove any book you have finished on your ereader (such as a Nook). You will need to open and delete those books manually.
Reading and Multiple Devices
Reading Multiple Books at Once
3M Cloud Library software should keep track of where you left off in each book (if you are reading it in the Ebooks tab). Some users are having trouble with going back & forth between books, as they read multiple titles at once. Please set a bookmark to be certain! For more on bookmarks, see "Reading a Book."
Reading on Multiple Devices or Computers
Not all Cloud features are working properly yet. The 3M Cloud Library is supposed to allow you access to your checked out books, on all versions of the app, throughout your checkout period. For now, if you use both versions of the app (mobile and computer app), please check out the book on the version of the app you intend to use it on. This means if you intend to transfer a book to your Nook (or other ereader) you should check it out on the computer version of the app.
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.
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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