Kansas EZ Library Frequently Asked Questions

Jump to: OneClickdigital (audiobooks) FAQ ♦ 3M Cloud Library (ebooks) FAQ

 

 

Switch to New Service

Updated 2/9/12

Why did the switch of companies happen?

Open Letter to Kansas Librarians from the State Librarian Jo Budler

The platform fee for the old company was scheduled to increase by 700% over the next 3 years. The Kansas library community would have been unable to continue purchasing enough new downloadable books to keep up with demand. Because of this we have changed companies. The new downloadable services will be provided by One Click Digital (Recorded Books) for audiobooks and by 3M Cloud Library for ebooks.

What is Kansas EZ Library?
Kansas EZ Library is the new name for Kansas' econtent, which will include audiobooks and ebooks. We believe the name captures the essence of the materials available online and easily downloadable, which is our goal for these services.

What happens to the books on the old service?
The State Library has been seeking permission to move our digital books to our new service. Many publishers said yes. This is an ongoing project.  Books that can be transferred will be moved into the new services by each company.  Status of each transfer process will be available on the Beta Progress page for each (at left). 

Who can access these downloadable books?
Any Kansas resident can checkout from this collection. Individuals will need a Kansas Library Card (which can be obtained from any library in the state) unless their local library provides an alternative.

Is this similar to the Talking Books service?
Talking Books is a service available for those who are unable to read or use standard printed materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical impairment. For eligibility information click here.

Who do I contact if I have further questions?
Speak with your local librarian or contact the State Library of Kansas.

OneClickDigital Audiobooks

Updated 7/2/12

Visit the OneClickdigital Company FAQ page for additional information.

What is a beta test?
Before software or a website is considered the "final product," it undergoes a testing phase.  We are taking part in this for OneClickDigital.  There will be errors and unfinished parts at this time.  You will also have updates more frequently for your Media Manager software than is normal in a final product.  We have started posting the Known Issues.  Most of these are things the company is currently working on.  If you are experiencing a technical problem, you can email us, OneClickdigital Support, or you can see the Digital Help page.  If you want to be informed of what is going on behind the scenes, we will be posting Beta Progress notes at least once a month. 

How many audiobooks can we check out at a time (and other library options)?

• 10 checkouts at a time.
• up to 21 day checkout per book (select any checkout period from 1-21 days, the book returns when your checkout is over).
• early return of any book (please return a book when you are done with it). 
• renew a book (if no one else is waiting on it).   
• place up to 10 books on hold at a time.
• 3 days to check out a book on hold that has become available for you--please note that at this time all holds check out automatically.  Some patrons were not getting their holds checkout emails.  Until more work is done on that system, holds will check out automatically.  

I do not see the newest books by my favorite author, even though you have some of the older ones.  What's up with that? 
Publishers are still trying to decide how they feel about libraries purchasing digital copies of their books (be it ebooks or audiobooks).  Large companies that publish James Patterson, Nora Roberts, Danielle Steel, and other big-name authors are currently not selling new digital audiobooks to the lending library.  We hope this will change soon.

What is Media Manager?
Media Manager is the company's software that you add to your computer.  It allows you to download, play, and transfer books to your supported device.  Media Manager takes care of all audiobooks format issues, so you do not have to worry about only checking out a format that would be compatible with your device. To learn how to operate Media Manager, see our informational pages on the Windows Media Manager or the Mac Media Manager.  For help with Media Manager, contact the State Library or see the Digital Help page. 

What devices are compatible with the Media Manager?
More devices may work with the service than are listed. The new service just has not tested all types of devices yet, and they are striving to make it compatible with more brands. OneClickDigital's list of supported devices for Windows Media Manager can be found here.  If you have a device that is not on the compatibility list but it is working with Windows Media Manager, please let us know!  We will report that to the company and it will help others.  Currently, Mac Media Manager is only compatible with Apple devices (iPad/iPod/iPhone). 

How can I use the audiobooks if my device is not compatible with the Media Manager?
Please use the manual download option. This option gives us the ability to put audiobooks on far more devices than are compatible with the Media Manager. For manual download instructions please see the Download a Book Manually page. 

Is OneClickdigital compatible with my Mac?
Media Manager for Mac came out the week of 2/17/12.  Please see the Media Manager for Mac page for tutorials on how to set your preferences and download a book.  Please be aware that Mac Media Manager cannot transfer to non-Apple portable devices, even if Windows Media Manager is compatible with that device. 

Is there an app for my smartphone/tablet/etc?
Phones and tablets may need to use the manual download process until the apps are ready.  The first Apple App was released in April 2012, see the OneClick Apple App page for instructions on use.  Android version of the app is expected for late summer 2012. 

Why does it seem that so much is listed as "in development" on this site?
We are still in a beta testing phase for OneClickDigital. Since this is the testing phase feedback is welcome, and please realize they are still working on many things, both on the Media Manager and the website.

Do books expire on my mp3 player? Can I return a book once I have transferred it to my device?
Book files transferred to your player contain a time-stamp on them. The files are unlikely to play past the due date of the book. Please do not return your audiobook until you are finished with it on your device--Media Manager updates the due date to day you returned the book and you no longer have rights to play those files. Media Manager may be able to remove the book from your device if you return the book while your player is connected to your computer.

What's the difference between Holds and Wishlist?
Holds are the books you actually are on the waiting list for.  Wishlist is just an area that will save your book for 90 days.  You might use the Wishlist if your holds queue was full, or if while browsing the site you found several books that you were maybe interested in checking out or putting on hold.  You could save them in your Wishlist and make a final decision when you are finished browsing. 

3M Cloud Library eBooks

Updated 7/2/12

What is a beta test? 
Before software or a website is considered the "final product," it undergoes a testing phase. We are taking part in this for the 3M Cloud Library, alongside 11 other libraries from around the country. There will be errors and unfinished parts at this time. You will also have updates more frequently for your software than is normal in a final product. We have started posting the Known Issues. Most of these are things the company is currently working on. If you are experiencing a technical problem please let us know. Fixes for common technical problems will be posted on the Digital Help page as we learn more! If you want to be informed of what is going on behind the scenes, we will be posting Beta Progress notes.

How many ebooks can I check out at a time (and other options)?

• 5 checkouts at a time.
• 14 day checkout per book (the book returns automatically when your checkout period is over).
• early return of any book (if you finish early, please return the book).
• no renewals-but you can check out the same book later and the system will have saved your place (the State Library has tried this, it works).
• place up to 10 books on hold at a time.
• 3 days to check out a book on hold that has become available for you.

What operating systems will be compatible with the computer software?
Windows 7 (32 and 64 bit), Vista (32 and 64 bit) and XP (service pack 3).  Mac compatible software is in development. 

What devices will be compatible with the new ebooks service?
Apple devices (iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch), Android-based tablets and smartphones, Nooks, Sony eReaders, and many more not specifically listed.

What devices are compatible with the mobile app?
Devices that can access the app directly in the Android Marketplace (Android smartphones and tablets) or the Apple App Store (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch). 

Why can't my Nook Color/Pandigital Reader (or other wifi enabled ereader) get the mobile app?
Your eReader cannot reach the full Android Marketplace/Google Play, which is where the app for Android-based devices is available. We have asked 3M to place the app in more app stores.  Until then, you will need to use the computer software to download and transfer to your device.

What about Kindle compatibility?
As of 7/2/12, we do not have any new news about Kindle compatibility.   If you are a Kindle owner, it would not hurt to encourage Amazon to make a lending library agreement with the 3M Cloud Library!  Here is a link to the Kindle Support page, please use the Contact Us button to suggest this to Amazon. 

I do not see the newest books by my favorite author, and they are a popular author regularly on the bestseller list. Why don't you have them?
Publishers are still trying to decide how they feel about libraries purchasing digital copies of their books (be it ebooks or audiobooks). Some of these companies are currently not selling new ebooks to the lending library at all.  Unfortunately, one of these is the company that sells books by James Patterson, and he is commonly requested. 

---