Check Out Audio Books With Your Windows Mobile PhoneCheck Out Audio Books With Your Windows Mobile Phone

You can check out books from your local library to listen to on your phone. No, I don't mean books on tape or CD that you can rip to your device, I mean actual digital copies that you can borrow. Now you can do it right from your phone via the OverDrive Media Console for Windows Mobile.You no longer need to use your PC to download content and then transfer it to your WinMo device. You just need your WinMo phone, a library card and the free OverDrive software and a data plan or WiFi connection. According to the Library Journal, over 9,000 libraries in North America participate in the program.

It works like checking out a physical book at the library does with a few exceptions. First of all, you can check out a book without having to get out of bed. Just grab your phone, look for the title you want, enter your library card number and wait for it to download. Just like a physical book, the library only has a limited number of digital copies they can lend out. When you add a book to your cart and proceed to check out, the site will tell you how many your library has and how many are still "on the shelf." If it is unavailable, you go on a waiting list just like in the real world.

Once you have the book, you have a certain amount of time to listen to it, often 14 days. After that time period, it is automatically returned for you. No late fees because you got busy and forgot to return it. If you weren't done listening, you'll need to check it out again.

You can begin your search for books at the OverDrive site that allows you to look for specific titles, authors, keywords, etc. They also have a "Most Downloaded Books" section or a search box to see what is available from your library only. Your best bet is to start your search at your local libraries OverDrive site so you don't waste time looking at books your library doesn't have.

To get started, you'll need the OverDrive software for your WinMo phone, which you can download here. You'll be downloading a .CAB file for either a Professional (touch screen) device or a Standard (non-touch screen) device. Unfortunately, the download site isn't mobile friendly, so your best bet is to download the .CAB file on your PC then transfer it over and install from the device. That same page will allow you to download the PC and Apple client.

Speaking of Apple, the Library Journal says an iPhone version is in the works, as is one for Android and Blackberry devices. In the meantime, you can download the books and either listen to them on your PC or transfer them to a supported MP3 player via iTunes or Windows Media Player.