I like listening to audiobooks but I never finish them in time. I usually download the MP3 file straight to the Ipod, but I got thinking... has anyone had success with downloading the audiobook through the WMA file to the desktop app, burning the book to a CD (legal to do) and then loading the CD into ITunes?

I use the wma files most and download them to a sansa mp3 player (you have to have the settings right for it to play each type of file).  I use the transfer button in overdrive media consul to load to the player.  the books are not deleted on expiration... I delete them when I have finished.  This works fine with the mp3 files too.

I think if you are syncing via iTunes or Windows media player, it overwrites the player causing the deletes. (The files expire in the overdrive consol, and in iTunes and windows media player, but I don't think they will expire if they are just on the player)

I have not tried burning to a cd as the player is much easier to use than cds.

I would think it's like library ebooks.  As long as you keep the Wifi on your device off, they don't automatically get returned when your checkout time is up.

With the sansa clip zip, expired WMA books will disappear when you connect to overdrive. Expired mp3 books do not, and can still be played.

I have a sansa clip.... but I don't think it is a zip.  the wma books don't disappear for me.

I have had troubles with them when I tried using windows media player to load the player.  It seems to want to sync the whole player instead of just adding the new ones.

After downloading the books to my computer from the digital library, I simply transfer them from Overdrive to my iPod (like Ronda does to her clip)...they stay on my iPod until I delete them. There is no need to burn CDs. But I do not sync my iPod with my iTunes.

I have successfully used the burn to DVD method but with some types of files, the CD has to be in the computer when you sync your IPOD in order for them to show up.  Some have to be opened first too. Kind of a pain.

I have to manually delete them from my IPOD after they expire.  So if you transfer them to your IPOD you should be good even after Overdrive makes you delete them. Right now I have several expired library audiobooks on my IPOD because I keep forgetting to delete them.  I transferred a book from Overdrive just last night and it didn't delete the expired ones from my IPOD, just added the new one. 

I have an old IPOD classic though. I don't know if it works the same on a Touch or a Nano.  I had a touch but it suffered a fatal accident and I don't remember how it worked on that.