OverDrive: Getting started with iPods and other MP3 players

If you have an iPod touch, please refer to our guide on getting started with our new Libby app instead. For all other iPods and MP3 players, the guide below will help you get started.

Step 1

Install OverDrive for Windows (desktop). You'll need this free application to download audiobooks to your computer and transfer them to your device.

Step 2

Open a web browser and go to sfpl.overdrive.com.

Step 3

Borrow and download an audiobook. It should open automatically in OverDrive's desktop app and prompt you to download its parts.

Step 4

Plug your iPod or MP3 player into your computer. Once the audiobook finishes downloading, click it, then click Transfer. Follow the on-screen prompts to transfer the audiobook to your device. Once it's transferred, you can listen to it just like any other audio file on your device.

Note: On iPods, you can find transferred audiobooks under "Music." If you'd like to categorize them under "Audiobooks" instead, follow these steps.

Service Alert for macOS Users

Users who upgrade to the newest macOS Catalina will not be able to download and transfer MP3 audiobooks from OverDrive.