Axis 360 Ebooks & Blio

Axis 360 eBooks & the Blio Pierce County Library System

Axis 360 eBooks & Blio: Windows, Android, & Apple iOS

Pierce County Library System subscribes to collection of eBooks available from Baker & Taylor’s Axis360 ser- vice which can be checked out and read on a computer, tablet, or smartphone using the Blio program/ application (app). This guide will walk you through the set up process and get you started checking out eBooks.

 The Blio App is particularly suited to display books in full color, and is best viewed on full color tablets, smartphones and computers. Due to these features, the Pierce County Library’s collection of eBooks from Axis360 is especially strong in children’s picture books and illustrated nonfiction subjects; like cookbooks, woodworking, crafts, and sewing.

 Some titles from Axis 360 are available in ePub or PDF formats and can be transferred to some devices using the free Adobe Digital Editions program. For more information on installing and using Adobe Digital Edi- tions see the Pierce County Library’s Guide to downloading eBooks to Nook Readers.

 This guide uses screenshots from an iPad, iPhone, and Windows PC. Android users may notice slight varia- tions between this guide and their device, but the process will remain the same.

Step 1: Create a Blio Account

 Go to www.blio.com

 Click on the “New Account” button.

 Fill out the required information and record your email and password for future use.

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Step 2: Download the Blio Reader App

 From the Blio homepage (www.blio.com), click on “Download Blio” in the upper left hand corner.

 Chose the appropriate operating system for your computer or device; Windows, Android or iOS (Apple).

 Note: The Blio reader App does not currently work on Apple desktop or laptop computers.

 Android users will be redirected to the Google Play store to download the free Blio App. Apple users will be redirected to the iTunes Store.

 Download and install the Blio application to your device.

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 Windows users will be taken to the Blio Download page.

 Note that there are different application downloads for Toshiba Laptops and Android devices, Dell and HP computers, and T-Mobile devices.

 Select the appropriate version of the Blio software for your device; allow the application to download and install.

 After installation is complete open up the Blio application.

 Log in to the application with your new Blio account information. You are not logging in with your library card number and PIN at this time.

Windows PC View  Now you are ready to check out eBooks! iPad (Tablet) View

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Step 3: Browse Axis360 Titles

 On your PC, tablet or other mobile device, go to www.piercecountylibrary.org.

 Hover your mouse over the orange “BOOKS/MATERIALS” tab.

 Click on “Downloadable Books and Music”.

 Under E-Books click on “Axis360”.

 Click on the blue “Axis360 Website” link.

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 There are several ways to search for books in Axis 360. You can browse titles on the Magic Wall, or in different categories listed on top and to the left of the Wall.

 You can search for a specific title or browse by subject.

 Clicking on “List View” will allow browsing in a list format, with various sorting options listed to the left hand side of the list.

Magic Wall

List View

 Hovering your mouse over, or tapping on, a specific title will give you more information about that book.

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 Once you have found a book you would like to checkout, select the type of format you would like to download. Titles may have any of three format options; Blio, ePub or PDF. Blio formatted files will only work with the Blio app.

 ePub and PDF files can be opened in most Reader apps on tablets or smartphones with an Adobe ID account. ePub and PDF files can also be read on a computer with a free program called Adobe Digital Edi- tions. Adobe Digital Editions will also allow you to transfer ePub and PDF files to a compatible ereader, such as a Nook. For more information on creating an Adobe ID and installing and using Adobe Digital Edi- tions see the Pierce County Library’s Guide to downloading eBooks onto Nook Readers.

Windows PC View

iPad (Tablet) View

 When prompted, type in your library card number and PIN (usually the last four numbers of your phone number).

 Enter your Blio account email address and password.

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iPad (Tablet) View iPad (Tablet) View

 A checkout confirmation box will pop up once you have successfully checked out your eBook.

 Sometimes all the copies of a particular title are checked out. When this happens, instead of a “Checkout Now” button you we see a “Place on Hold” button. When you put a hold on a Axis 360 title, you will re- ceive an email when the book is available to check out.

Windows PC View

MA 12/12 7 Axis 360 eBooks & the Blio Pierce County Library System Step 4: Reading Books in the Blio Application

 Open the Blio application on your computer or mobile device.

 Books that you have checked out but not yet downloaded will appear grayed out and have a downward facing arrow on the cover image.

 If the book does not start downloading automatically, click on the desired title to start the downloading process. You can turn the automatic book downloads feature on or off in the setting menu of the Blio App.

 eBooks checked out from the library will have the number of days left in your borrowing period on top of the cover image.

Blio Library on Windows PC.

iPhone (smartphone) View iPad (Tablet) View

iPhone List View

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 The Blio app has several tools and settings that you can utilize while reading your book. The location of these tools varies depending on the type of device you are using.

Reading view on a Windows PC.

Reading view on an iPad.

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Step 7: Return & Delete

 You can delete an eBook from your Blio library at any time; note that after 21 days (3 weeks) an Axis360 eBook will still appear in your library but remain inactive.

 To delete a book from your Blio library on a Windows desktop or laptop computer, hover your mouse over the bottom right hand corner of the book’s cover image, or right click on the title. Click on the “INFO” button that pops up.

 Click on the garbage can icon to delete the book from your Blio Library.

 The program asks if you are sure, if sure, select yes.

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 To delete a book from a mobile device locate and tap the “Edit” button.

 Tap on the red X that now appears on the cover image.

 Confirm your choice by selecting “Delete”, and tap on the “Done” button.

iPad (Tablet) View

iPhone (smartphone) View

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If you experience any problems using Axis 360 or Blio, please feel free to contact your local Pierce County Library, or call/email our Computer Help Desk at 253-548-3600, [email protected].

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