As a note - this resource is not comprehensive. Overdrive is a vendor that sells digital services to libraries, and while it is the largest and most popular, not the only one...

The county where I used to live did audiobook downloads from their website, but it used M$ DRM so I could never get it on my iPod... :(

I checked this service out, and while my local library does not offer it, it seems a little fishy.

One, the files "expire" after a given period of time through DRM.

Two, if someone else has "checked out" the file, you have to wait to get it. What? This is digital, we aren't waiting for someone to physically return the file, they're waiting for it to expire. Which seems mucho inconvenient.

Three, most of the files appear to be WMA formatted, which doesn't work on my ipod.

The Prince George's County (in MD) library system also participates in a program [www.mldv.permissiontv.com] where movies can be downloaded and watched on your computer. I tried it almost a year ago and wasn't impressed, the selection was very limited and the software took up 1.4 Gigabytes on my computer, which seemed excessive just for DRM.

Wow. My city (not even counting my country since: bully!) has 10x more available sources than the entire STATE of Mississippi. Extrapolate whatever trends about an educated, competitive employee base as you will.
Geez, I guess tax dollars do work!

Ditto on the WMA protection comments, my iPod doesn't like it.

The Free Library of Philly also uses files which expire & has a limited number of each text. It must be the deal worked out with the publishers to protect sales.

Oh hey I'd forgotten about this. The San Antonio Public Library system had a to-do about it a month or two ago and had forgotten all about it.

I don't know about the rest of you, but our library system allows for dl to iPods too. Perhaps it's just an issue at your library. I can't attest to issues of renewing the digital license etc since I've not used it yet.

Which seems mucho inconvenient.

@Oranges w/ Cheese: Seems like it defeats the whole purpose.
Lordy, it'd be funny if it wasn't true.

I used this system all the time with my Sansa E series. It's great; no DRM issues, no "license" things (unless you go through WMP which I don't). I love it. Much better than listening to a CD book and having to return it. I have over 18 books right now, just waiting for me! they never expire once they're on my player and it's super easy to do.

This is just one of several downloadable audio plans that public libraries can purchase, and in my opinion - having just purchased a different plan for the library where I work - this is not the best. Why in the world does Overdrive allow only one download at time. You have to get on the hold list for a popular item. The plan we selected allows multiple simultaneous downloads of the same title. And your files "expiring". Yes at the end of week 3 the due date kicks in and your download disappears. If you had copied it to your mp3 player that does not disappear.

Every plan is different, and usually you must go through an authentication process at your local library's web page. Surely you didn't think you could go to any library in the country and use their access to this expensive product.

Chicago's libraries use overdrive.
You won't believe this, but once you have a title "checked out" via Overdrive, you can't "return" it early. It just sits in your account (of which you can only "check out" 6 titles at a time). Who comes up with this crap?

I discovered an ebook in the San Diego Public Library's online catalog that I wanted to read. Upon further investigation I learned it was made available through Netlibrary. But it turned out to be in a special DRM format of pdf which requires Adobe Acrobat to read. I use Foxit, and have no intention of installing Acrobat Reader, so it was a complete waste. Typical.

You can also call and ask.