Download Help

To download media files, log in or create a new Village Books eMedia Store account.

1. Using any web browser, go to Village Books eMedia Store and click the My Downloads link. New media will appear under the New tab.
2. Select your device from the Device drop-down menu, and then choose the appropriate file format from the Format drop-down menu. (For MP3 audiobooks, choose Windows or Mac and choose ZIP as your file format.*)
3. When you've made your selections, click I Agree to accept Terms, and then click Download. If you're prompted with a pop-up window asking where to save your file, choose your destination and click OK. If downloading begins right away, your file will appear in the location you've already set in your system preferences (usually your desktop or a downloads folder).
4. Once the file has finished downloading, import your new files to your favorite application or device.

*See our instructions on opening zipped MP3 audiobook files.

MP3 audiobooks download as compressed ZIP files for a speedier delivery. These files must be extracted before you can import them into your music library (basically, expanding them back to their normal size). When extraction is complete, the expanded folder should appear in the same location as the original zipped folder.

The expanded folder will contain several MP3 files, one for each book chapter. You'll also see an additional M3U file named with the book's title. Do not delete this file! The M3U file keeps your chapters organized as an audiobook. After extraction, transfer your audiobook files into your music library. (See our instructions below for importing audiobooks into Windows Media Player or iTunes.)

For Windows Users: You can extract zipped files right-clicking on your downloaded folder and choosing Extract All... from the menu. However, Windows sometimes places extracted files in a temporary folder or other hard-to-find location. To ensure you know where your extracted files are, follow these steps:

1. Create a new folder in My Documents.
2. Double-click on the downloaded ZIP file to open it.
3. Open each folder you see until you find the audiobook files.
4. Select all of the files.
5. Right-click on the selected files and choose Copy.
6. Open the folder you created in My Documents, right-click and choose Paste.

For Mac Users: By default, Mac OS X automatically extracts zipped files after download. If it doesn't, simply double-click the folder and extraction will begin.

To re-download purchases, you need to be logged in at the Village Books eMedia Store. You can re-download most of your purchases at no additional cost. (A few files may be rights-protected, limiting how many downloads you can make.)

1. Once you're logged in, select the media type from the tabs at the top of your My Downloads page: eBooks, Audiobooks, Music, Videos or Software. You'll find all of your previous purchases there.
2. Find the title you want to re-download.
3. Choose your device and format from the drop-down menus.
4. When you've made your selections, click I Agree to accept Terms, and then click Download.

At this time, we don't support direct downloading to devices. You'll need to download your products to a computer first, and then transfer them to your chosen device.

Internet Explorer: IE is not recommended for Mac users. For Windows users, default security settings will prevent you from downloading a file without giving permission. Find out more about this security issue.
Free download—Windows »

Firefox: We highly recommend Firefox for both Mac and Windows computers.
Free download—Windows or Mac »

Safari: OK for audiobooks, but not for eBooks. Safari doesn't handle compressed eBook files properly during download.
Free download—Windows or Mac »

Device Help

Adding media files to your iPod is simple:

1. Connect your iPod, iPod Touch or iPhone to your computer and open iTunes.
2. Select iPod or iPhone in the Devices section on the left-hand panel of the iTunes window.
3. To add files, choose the appropriate media category under Library in the left-hand panel.
4. Select and drag the files you want onto the iPod or iPhone icon under Devices. You can also add playlists the same way.

Apple has an easy-to-understand video that walks you through the process.
View the video now »

To get more information on syncing your iPod or iPhone, see Apple's complete step-by-step instructions.
Find it here »

Moving your eBooks to the Sony Reader is simple. The Reader comes bundled with a USB cable and eBook Library software to transfer PDF of EPUB files from your PC. (Note: the Sony Reader PRS-500 does not support EPUB formats.) Currently, Sony's eBook Library software supports Windows only.

Requirements

• Sony Reader
• eBook Library software installed on your PC
• Optional memory such as an SD card or Memory Stick installed in Reader
• USB cable included with the Reader

Instructions

1. Connect the Reader to your PC using the USB cable and turn the Reader on.
2. Click the Start button on your desktop.
3. Select All Programs in the Start menu.
4. Select the Reader menu.
5. Select eBook Library from the Reader menu. The Library will open in a new window.
6. The preview pane lists all audiobook files currently in your Library. Click the files you want to transfer to select them. You can select more than one file at a time.
7. Drag the files to either Sony's Reader, Memory Stick or SD Card in the left-hand pane.
8. Click on your chosen location to ensure the files transfered successfully. Your files should be listed in the preview pane indicating they're ready for use on your Reader.

Sony also provides an easy-to-follow video tutorial on their website to walk you through the steps.
View the tutorial now »

Need to know more about using your Sony Reader? Sony has a video tutorial for that, too.
View the tutorial now »

Kindle uses the eBook file type Mobi (PRC), and files must be rights-protection-free (DRM-free) in order to work with Kindle. You don't need to install any additional software on Kindle or your computer to add eBooks. Simply transfer files by connecting Kindle to your computer with the included USB cable.

Requirements

• Amazon Kindle
• Optional SD memory card installed in Kindle
• USB cable included with Kindle

Instructions

1. Connect Kindle to your computer using the USB cable and turn Kindle on.
2. When your Kindle is connected, it will appear as a removable drive (under Computer on Windows) or as a drive on your desktop (on Mac). An installed SD card will also appear as a separate removable drive.*
3. Double-click the Kindle or SD card drive and open the Documents folder.
4. Click the files on your computer that you want to transfer to select them. You can select more than one file at a time.
5. Drag the selected files to the Documents folder or copy and paste the selected files to your chosen location. When the transfer is complete, your eBook is successfully loaded onto your Kindle or SD card.

* According to Amazon's website, network drives or other devices on your computer could cause a conflict with how Kindle and your SD card appear in Windows Explorer. You may have to disconnect network drives or assign new drive letters to ensure Kindle and your SD card appear properly on your PC. Check Windows Help documentation for information on assigning drives.

We recommend using Mobipocket Reader to read eBooks (in PRC file format) on BlackBerry devices. We also recommend transferring your eBooks directly to your BlackBerry device by connecting to your personal computer via USB. Depending on your model, you may need an additional memory card installed on your BlackBerry to store your books.

Requirements

• BlackBerry smartphone
• Additional memory card installed in BlackBerry (for most smartphones)
• Mobipocket Reader software installed on BlackBerry
• USB cord included with BlackBerry

Instructions

1. Be sure you have an additional memory card installed in your BlackBerry (such as a Mini SD Card). This is where your eBooks will be stored.
2. Install Mobipocket Reader by entering the following address in the web browser of your BlackBerry: http://m.mobipocket.com
3. On your BlackBerry, open the Mobipocket Reader application before proceeding. (This automatically creates a folder called eBooks on your memory card).
4. After downloading the eBook to your computer, connect your BlackBerry using the USB cord. The installed memory card will appear as a removable drive (under Computer on Windows) or as a drive on your desktop (on Mac).
5. Double-click the drive and open the eBooks folder.
6. Drag the PRC eBook file you downloaded into that folder. When the transfer is complete, your eBook is successfully loaded onto your BlackBerry.
7. To access the eBook, open the Mobipocket Reader application on your BlackBerry. Your eBook title will be listed in your library.

We recommend using the application Stanza to read eBooks in EPUB format on your iPhone and iPod Touch. You'll need the Stanza iPhone application as well as the Stanza Desktop application (on your computer) to transfer eBooks from your computer to your iPhone/iPod Touch.

Currently, you can only transfer eBooks from your computer to your iPhone/iPod Touch over a wireless connection. Both must be on the same wireless network.

Stanza's iPhone and Desktop applications can currently be downloaded from lexcycle.com for free. Download the desktop application now »

Requirements

• iPhone/iPod Touch
• Stanza iPhone application (installed on iPhone/iPod Touch)
• Windows or Mac computer with wireless capability
• Stanza Desktop application (installed on personal computer)

Instructions

1. After downloading your eBook to your personal computer, launch Stanza Desktop.
2. Go to File > Open, and open the EPUB file you downloaded.
3. Go to the Tools menu, and ensure that the Enable Sharing menu item is checked.
4. Ensure that your iPhone/iPod Touch and PC are connected to the same wireless network.
5. Launch Stanza on your iPhone/iPod Touch.
6. From the top-level library menu, select Shared Books. Select your computer name from the menu.
7. Stanza Desktop will then notify you that your iPhone/iPod Touch is attempting to connect to your shared library and request your permission to allow the connection.
8. Once you have granted permission, Stanza iPhone will display a list of books that are open in Stanza Desktop on your computer.
9. Tap on the book to download it to Stanza on your iPhone/iPod Touch. It will appear in Titles and Recent Downloads.

For more information on setting up Stanza to sync with your iPhone/iPod Touch, visit the support section at the Stanza website.

We currently support the following media devices:

Audiobooks

• iPhone, iPods (including iPod Touch)
• Zune
• iRiver players
• Creative ZEN
• Sansa

eBooks

• Sony Reader (PRS-505 and PRS-700)
• iPhone, iPod Touch
• Kindle
• Windows or Mac computers
• BlackBerry smartphones
• Palm-based PDAs or smartphones
• Windows Mobile-based PDAs or smartphones
• Symbian smartphones (Nokia and others)

If you don't see your device
There are currently hundreds of media players available today, many which may use file formats we support. Please check your manufacturer's documentation to see if your device will work with any of our supported media formats.

Audiobooks

To burn an audiobook to CD you will need a writable CD drive and blank writable CDs. Bear in mind each CD can only hold 72 minutes of audio, so a five-hour audiobook would require five CDs.

Burning Audiobooks to CD in iTunes (Mac and Windows)
Detailed instructions on burning CDs from within iTunes (via apple.com).

Burning Audiobooks to CD in Windows Media Player
Detailed instructions on burning CDs from within Windows Media Player 11 (via microsoft.com).

For instructions on burning CDs from other audio applications, please view the manufacturer's documentation.

Currently, all audiobooks are rights-protection-free MP3 files, so you can use any media player that plays MP3s. You can also listen to audiobooks directly on your computer using media applications like iTunes or Windows Media Player.

Supported MP3 players include:

• iPhone, iPods (including iPod Touch)
• Zune
• iRiver players
• Creative ZEN
• Sansa
• Smartphones

Open the downloaded folder and simply drag the M3U file named for the book title into the open iTunes window. All of the corresponding and necessary files will automatically be imported and copied to your iTunes library. (All zipped audiobook files must be extracted before you can import them into your music library. See our special instructions for extracting zipped audiobook files.)

We recommend using the latest version of iTunes.
Free download »

Official Apple documentation on importing »

By default, Windows Media Player 11 monitors your My Music folder and automatically updates its library when new files are added. Simply move the downloaded folder to your My Music folder, located inside My Documents.(All zipped audiobook files must be extracted before you can import them into your music library. See our special instructions for extracting zipped audiobook files.)

If you have an older version of Windows Media Player:

1. Open Windows Media Player and click Library.
2. Choose Add to Library... from the menu.
3. Select the audiobook files you'd like to import (including the M3U file) from your My Music folder and click OK.

We recommend using the latest version of Windows Media Player.
Free download »

Official Microsoft documentation on importing for Windows Vista »
Official Microsoft documentation on importing for Windows XP »

To Create an audiobook playlist in iTunes:

1. Click on the plus sign (+) in the bottom left-hand corner of the iTunes window.
2. Name that Playlist anything you want, like the title of the book.
3. Click on Library in the source column, then scroll to the area where the chapters of the book appear.
4. Drag the chapters of the book in the order that they should be played into the playlist.

For more detailed information on creating playlists in iTunes visit the following links to the Apple Support site.

Creating an iTunes Playlist for Mac »
Creating an iTunes playlist for Windows »

All audiobook files are currently available in MP3 format.

eBooks

Once an eBook is downloaded to your computer, transfer it to your chosen device like any other file. You can read eBooks on laptops, handheld readers, PDAs or smartphones. Or, if you prefer, read them on your Windows or Mac computer using reading applications that support the formats you've purchased.

Supported hardware includes:

• Sony Reader (PRS-505 and PRS-700)
• iPhone, iPod Touch
• Kindle
• Windows or Mac computers
• BlackBerry smartphones
• Palm-based PDAs or smartphones
• Windows Mobile-based PDAs or smartphones
• Symbian smartphones (Nokia and others)

Supported software includes:

• Adobe Digital Editions (.epub)
• Adobe Reader (.pdf)
• eReader Pro (.pdb)
• Stanza (.epub)
• Mobipocket (.prc)
• Microsoft Reader (.lit)

Before you can start reading, you'll need a program that opens eBook files on your personal computer or mobile device. You can find a variety of free options online, from basic reading programs to applications with tools that make it easy to organize your eBook library.

Here are a few programs we suggest:

Adobe Digital Editions
With this reader, you'll be able to sort eBooks in several ways and create custom "bookshelves" for favorite titles. You can change the font size and line spacing for a more comfortable read, make annotations and bookmark passages with ease. Supports EPUB and PDF formats.
Free download—Windows or Mac »

Adobe Reader
Adobe offers another option to those looking for a simple, no-frills viewer: the popular Adobe Reader. Easily open, view and search any PDF file in your library. Supports PDF format.
Free download—Windows or Mac »

eReader Pro
In addition to bookmark, formatting and search functions, the eReader Pro adds two features for better navigation. Activate Auto Scroll to roll through text smoothly, or breeze through books while speed reading with RSVP. Supports PDB format.
Free download—Windows or Mac »

Stanza
To personalize the eBook experience, Stanza lets you alter the font, font color and font size, as well as choose a book's cover art. And Stanza automatically bookmarks passages when you finish so you never have to worry about losing your place. Supports EPUB format.
Free download—Windows or Mac »

Mobipocket Reader
As with music players, Mobipocket users can create themed lists and rate their favorite books. Highlight and annotate passages as you read, browse those annotations in a special panel, or insert hyperlinks to jump to other books. Supports PRC format.
Free download—Windows »

We support the following eBook formats: EPUB, PDF, LIT, PDB and PRC. You can download additional formats of most purchases from your account at no extra cost. Please note, not all eBook titles are available in all formats. Each publisher chooses the formats for their particular titles.

One of the first steps during the download process is choosing the type of eBook reader you own. Whether it's a handheld reader such as the Sony Reader, a mobile phone or your home computer, we'll show you a list of file formats that work with your hardware. Some devices are capable of reading multiple formats; in those cases we'll list multiple formats for that device.

We've listed some of the most popular choices and their corresponding file formats below:

Download Errors and Issues

If you are using Windows Internet Explorer (in Windows XP or Vista), the default security settings will prevent you from downloading a file without giving it permission first. While this is a good security measure, it can make downloading files from reputable sites, like ours, frustrating. Follow the steps below to complete your download from Internet Explorer.

1. When you click Download in your account, look for the yellow "Information Bar" near the top of the IE window just below the tabs.
2. Click on the Information Bar.
3. Select Download File... from the pop-up menu.
4. A dialog box will appear asking you if you want to "Open" or "Save" the file. Select a location on your computer where it will be easy to find the file after download and click Save.
5. The file will begin downloading.

For more information from Microsoft on the Information Bar, visit this article at Microsoft's website.

This could be happening for a few reasons. It's possible that your modem and router need to be reset. Unplug them for at least 30 seconds, then plug them back in. This isn't something you should have to do often, but occasionally power outages and other service hiccups make it necessary. If you have questions, please contact your internet provider. We are not liable for lost or corrupt data and configuration settings.

This error is typically due to bandwidth issues. If your network is experiencing particularly high traffic, try your download again later. This often happens at night, especially with cable DSL customers because they share bandwidth for TV and internet with the surrounding neighborhood.

Another possibility could be that your modem or router needs to be restarted. Unplug them for at least 30 seconds, then plug them back in. This isn't something you should have to do often, but occasionally power outages and other service hiccups make it necessary. If you have questions, please contact your internet provider. We are not liable for lost or corrupt data and configuration settings.

Sometimes Windows users have trouble extracting zipped files. You may get an empty folder or a message saying the ZIP file is corrupt or "blocked". These are not caused by ZIP files from the Village Books eMedia Store. Unfortunately, they're issues with Windows XP and Vista.

The easiest way around these problems is to install a ZIP application. While we don't endorse or support any particular program, 7-zip.org offers a free application that may fix the issues.
Download it here »

Windows sometimes places extracted files in a temporary folder or other hard-to-find location. To ensure you know where your extracted files are, follow these steps:

1. Create a new folder in My Documents.
2. Double-click on the downloaded ZIP file to open it.
3. Open each folder you see until you find the audiobook files.
4. Select all of the files.
5. Right-click on the selected files and choose Copy.
   
6. Open the folder you created in My Documents, right-click and choose Paste.