You can download from overdrive and use on the nook, you just cannot download library books to the nook directly. You have to download them to a Mac or PC and then use the ADE tool to transfer them from the PC/Mac to the nook. The Kobo reader, Sony Reader, all of them work the same way.

There is an "Overdrive" application for the iPad/iPhone. That DOES let you download books directly to those devices but their eReader software is pretty lame IMHO.

Vyron Mitchell wrote:
The tutorial is great . . . but it still doesn't answer the question: How do you authorize the Nook for the ADE. After days of searching, installing, re-downloading, etc. - and watching the tutorial 5 times - the question remains unanswered. My own conclusion is that ebooks downloaded from the library cannot be read on the Nook. I wish this had been noted in the Nooks advertisements and published material BEFORE I made the purchase for a Christmas gift.

Your conclusion is incorrect. I have been reading library books on my Nook and Nookcolor.

ADE is used by the publishers to maintain DRM control.
To authorize your Nook:
-Connect Nook to your computer
-Start ADE
-Click on the triangle next to "Library" in the ADE window.
-Select Authorize computer from the dropdown menu.

To get the book. When I finish the checkout, I usually save the file to my desktop. This is not the book (it has ".ascm" as its extension), it is a link that triggers ADE to download the actual book. You should be able to view it in ADE. With your Nook connected and detected by ADE, drag the icon from the right hand window onto the Nook in list on the left. It should then be copied to your Nook. You have to use ADE or the book will not open on the Nook.

After much head scratching I stepped back to the beginning. My problem was never with the ADE, and all instructions . . . although generally helpful . . . did not solve the problem. My problem arose when the book was transferred to my Nook and would not open because the devise was not authorized, nor could it be at the time. Early on I found the pull down with instructions to "authorize my computer" but my computer was already authorized. . . just not the Nook.To make a long story short - no pun intended - I had to de-authorize the Nook, return to factory settings, re-auathorize the Nook, open my library book with ADE, plug in the nook, wait until ADE recognized the Nook and THEN a popup window asked to authenticate the Nook, move my book to the Nook, disconnect and then read.
Whew .
The original problem originated when I failed to authenticate the Nook when I first opened the Nook in ADE. Since I use a Mac, the folder holding the needed software could not be located. Once that was found everything was fine from there. If anyone needs more step by step directions, I will glad to help

I think starting from the beginning and watching Mark's video:
nooktalk.net/news/loading-books-with-ado...ditions-on-your-nook

As you go makes it about as clear as can be for anyone that stumbles on this thread. It's one thing to read, another thing to watch someone do it

Remember, the most important thing . . . use your B&N login/password when you set up the ADE account. Otherwise the Nook won't authenticate.