Getting started

• Our school doesn’t use Overdrive, we don’t have it.
  • Yes you do. If you have CEnet credentials you can sign into Sora.
• I’m not based at a school, I’m in the CEO office. Can I still use?
  • Yes, you can. You access exactly the same as schools ie CEnet credentials.
• Is it Overdrive or Sora? I’m confused?
  • It is still Overdrive but now we have another App to use specially designed for schools and it is called Sora.
  • Company is called Overdrive, the App we now use to access content is Sora.
• When I use Sora it prompts me to choose my school but it’s not there?
  • We are not a school, there are now 14 Diocese contributing to ONE Digital Library. This library is called ACEN (Australian Catholic Education Network).
• Can we have someone come to our school and go through all the features with Staff and/or Students?
  • Yes, just send me an email and we can organise a date.
• Our students don’t use iPads at school, can they still access?
  • Yes, Sora works on all mobile devices (use the App) and computers (use this URL soraapp.com)
• Can we use Sora at home?
  • Yes ACEN library is available 24/7
• Is there a video tutorial we can watch to get started?
  • Yes, go to the 'Getting Started' page

Staff FAQs

• Do Staff have their own access to Sora or is it only for Students?
  • Yes. If you have CEnet credentials you can sign into Sora.
• I’m not based at a school, I’m in the CEO office. Can I still use?
  • Yes, you can. You access exactly the same as schools ie CEnet credentials.
• I’d like my students to view the text while I read/discuss the story.
  • Borrow the title on your device (using Sora on your iPad or URL of soraapp.com on a Laptop).
  • AirPlay the eBook to your SmartBoard or Apple TV.
  • You can also use the same technique for AudioBooks.
• The title we are studying is not in Sora
  • Email me the title and I’ll see if it’s available.
  • If the title is available in digital format I’ll purchase.
• We are studying a text for a longer period than Sora allows
  • We can setup a ’Title Assignment’ scenario where the students keep the title for a set period of time. This overrides the number of titles they are allowed and the time period.
  • Note: we do need enough copies in the collection for each student to borrow, depending on cost we can always purchase more copies.
  • Please contact me for this option.
• I have a student with a Print Disability and the required text is difficult for the student to access when in print format
  • Same scenario as above (eg might be a student studying a text for HSC and needed for perhaps a year). Email me for more info.
• The default reading settings are not ideal, is it possible to adjust to suit student’s needs?
  • Absolutely, and is recommended for all readers (Staff and Students).
  • Borrow your first book -> tap the 3 horizontal lines top right corner -> tap Reading Settings and adjust the following:
    • Text size.
    • Lighting (colour background).
    • Select font (make sure it’s a Sans Serif font ie without the decorative bits on the letters like Times New Roman).
      • Tap Custom for more options and select Sans serif as a guide to an appropriate font.
    • Note OpenDyslexic font is available for a student with Dyslexia to try.
    • Change Justification to LEFT so the spacing between words will be the same (easier to eye track the line of text).
    • Increase Line Spacing.
    • Some students may prefer to change the weight to Heavy (Bold).
    • The number of columns will be 2 by default to change to 1 column the option is found at top of screen (circle with the lines inside).
• We have shared iPads, can our students still use Sora?
  • Yes, the Sora App should already be on the iPads.
  • When the student borrows a title and finishes the allotted time period to read in class, they should sign out.
  • There will obviously be times when they forget, no issue the next person simply signs out and back in as themselves.
  • The titles they have checked out appear when they log back in as well as where they were up to in the book.
  • Note: the personalised reading settings are saved to the device, so this may or may not be an issue with shared devices. Just good to be aware.
• I would like students to be able to read the text while hearing the text read aloud, is this possible?
  • Yes, browse the Collections, you’ll find one called ‘Read along’.
• I understand the majority of the collection will be for students, is it possible to have some titles for Staff?
  • Yes, we have a Collection called ‘Professional' (readings for teachers).
• Why is this library called ACEN and not Diocese of Wollongong?
  • Wollongong joined with 14 other Diocese.
  • We had to give this new library a name and decided on Australian Catholic Education Network (ACEN).
• Can parents have access to SORA?
  • No, you must have CEnet credentials.
  • However, I’m happy to give parent sessions so they can assist their children at home.
• When I search Oliver I can see eBooks and Audio books, are they Overdrive books?
  • Yes, they are!
  • It is another way to access ACEN library, you’ll see a borrow button that will take you to sorrapp.com

Student FAQs

• How many books can we borrow?
  • 3
  • If you are going on a holiday where you won’t have access to the internet, make sure you have downloaded the book first.
  • We share our library with 250,000 students + Staff so I encourage students to borrow one at a time, rather than have books on their shelf not being read while others will be waiting to borrow.
• How long can we have a book for?
  • 21 days
• How do I return a book?
  • You don’t need to, it is automatically returned after 21 days.
• Can I return it early?
  • Yes, and we encourage you to return if have finished reading. Someone in your class or in Rockhampton could be waiting for your book.
• If I don’t finish the book, can I renew it?
  • Yes, when there are 3 days to go before it is auto returned you can renew.
• Do I need the internet to borrow?
  • Yes
  • Once it’s downloaded you can read your book offline.
• The book I want to borrow someone else has, how do I place a hold?
  • Instead of the borrow button you’ll see a hold button.
  • After you tap the hold button, you’ll see how long you have to wait, how many others have placed a hold, where you are in the queue.
• The book I want isn’t in the library!
  • Tell your teacher who will email me
• I have to study a book, can I highlight and make notes?
  • Yes
• I want to keep the notes after the book is returned
  • You can export to your Google Drive before it’s returned.
• Can I borrow books on the weekend or holidays?
  • Yes, this library is always open.
• What can I do if I don’t know the meaning of a word?
  • Tap and hold the word -> tap Define. Every word tapped is saved for future use.
• If I tap the 3 horizontal lines top right corner, what does Nickname mean?
  • Tap on the word and you can put your name there.
  • You can also tap the picture and change it.