I am thinking of getting the Pocket Sony in addition to my Kindle so I can borrow library books. My library does not offer a good ebook selection. I am thinking of joining Philadelphia's library for $15. Has anybody here done this and how is their selection?

I know someone on here has. If you do a search for PA or Pennsylvania library it should come up. I've been thinking about it myself. If you live in PA though, I don't think you need to pay as long as your library card has a PA Access sticker on it (which allows you to borrow from any library in PA).

Bad news for library ebook download to Kindle.

Good news for audiobook download to Kindle.

It takes a bit of looking, but I found this:

Can I transfer Adobe eBooks to an Amazon® Kindle? (http://freelibrary.lib.overdrive.com/2B76C3C8-2500-4A8C-9776-73B7A437DC45/10/354/en/Help-FAQ-Format410.htm)

No. The Amazon Kindle does not currently support eBooks protected with Adobe DRM.

To get it in the Kindle would take a bit of jumping through hoops. Download and de-DRM the book, before you can read it.

Now if you want to read those ebooks on the computer it's no problem, just not simple on the Kindle.

On the other hand - If you want to download audiobooks and put them into a mp3 player or on the Kindle - Using My Kindle as an MP3 Player (http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/using-my-kindle-as-an-mp3-player/)

"But then I learned the secret. If I upload my MP3 into the Audible folder I have the option to fast forward, pause, rewind, etc. just like on an MP3 player. Yooo Hooo!"

Of course you can download movies, music, etc.

INFO
The Free Philadelphia Library (http://www.library.phila.gov/) -- Available to city residents (free), anyone 65 or older (free), residents anywhere in PA with "Access Pennsylvania" library cards (free), and non-residents ($15) Online Registration (http://libwww.freelibrary.org/register/getcard1.cfm)

DOWNLOADS: audio books, e-books, music, movies, plus. Downloads (http://libwww.library.phila.gov/explore/ElecResExplore.cfm?topicTitle=efreelibrary) Download Sampler (http://freelibrary.lib.overdrive.com/20984817-09ED-4C93-8CF7-FDE2D9F84A68/10/354/en/Default.htm)

Currently I am listening to "Master and Commander (http://freelibrary.lib.overdrive.com/20984817-09ED-4C93-8CF7-FDE2D9F84A68/10/354/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=74D1567F-DDE7-4928-9006-23D39CE02248)" by Patrick O'Brian.

I transfer the audiobooks to a Sansa Clip Plus using Overdrive (the lending mechanism the most, if not all, use. They will tell you that you have 10 days to listen. But once it is on a "dumb" mp3 player "it just don't know". Listen as long as it takes.

I have a double ended cord that I plug into my mp3 headphone jack, and then into the car sterio system. I do a fair (sometimes a lot) amount of driving.

P.S. - Online registration was VERY simple (but then again, I'm in PA). I got my card over the weekend, and started downloading.

Even if you can't get it free, $15 is VERY cheap to get the thousands of dowloads that are available.

I saw the Free Library of Philadelphia mentioned a few days ago and decided to check out their selection. The selection is pretty decent and I was able to find a few titles I have not seen in two of the libraries with whom I have cards. The site which shows their downloadable media is Free Library of Philadelphia (http://freelibrary.lib.overdrive.com). The current ebook breakdown is:

ePub - 873
PDF - 420

I will probably register for a $15 out-of-state card in the next few days as I think I will get my money's worth from their selection.

I have one question. Is it available for Non-USA resident? Because perhaps it would be interesting for me.

I have one question. Is it available for Non-USA resident? Because perhaps it would be interesting for me.

I was chatting with their online help because I couldn't figure out how to register from out of state (you have to print out a form and mail it in).

I asked your question and the person on duty didn't know. She's going to pass the question to someone higher up and email me the answer. You'd have to be able to send them a check in US dollars at the least. Or perhaps they'd take cash.

-Marcy

Thank you for all your help. I did end up ordering the Pocket (Amazon has a great price). I think I'm going to read the few books that I am interested in from my library and then get a card for Philadelphia's library. I can't wait to start reading library book on my ereader!cc:D

Once you begin to read library ebooks the preferred format is ePub. PDF's have reflow but paragraph breaks will show is odd places and in-book conversations are sometimes difficult to follow.

I was chatting with their online help because I couldn't figure out how to register from out of state (you have to print out a form and mail it in).

I asked your question and the person on duty didn't know. She's going to pass the question to someone higher up and email me the answer. You'd have to be able to send them a check in US dollars at the least. Or perhaps they'd take cash.

-Marcy

Please let everyone (me:D) know. If you can then it may be possible for me to get a library account in the UK. I realy want to read "Under The Eagle (http://ebooks.whsmith.co.uk/2B482C04-F4F9-4A90-9A05-418D0235EAB1/10/132/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=93E9CBA0-0D9B-4131-84F0-0D7B9471C4DF)" by Simon Scarrow. Geographic limitations.:(

I've been using the Philly library site for quite a while.

They do an awesome job of updating their site and have gone from 1000 books to 1300 books available in 2010, keeping up with new books like "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" and adding a few each week.

If you work in Philadelphia, you can get a card for the library regardless of where you live, you just need to show some proof of that.

@maggotb0y: I just recently got a Philly library card with intent to use their ebooks, and I have a question: How on earth do you find anything on their eBook site?

Their search appears to be seriously wedged. For example, I can't seem to search for "all downloadable fiction ebooks." Any suggestions or tips?

Xenophon

To get the list of all fiction ebooks:
Start on their Digital media home page http://freelibrary.lib.overdrive.com
Click on eBooks by Genre
About halfway down the page find All eBook fiction click on Complete list...
That will take you to the list. Currently 1060 ebooks.

The Washington DC public library has an epub and pdf collection of about 7,000 books and lots of mp3 downloads as well. Non-resident cards are $20 per year, but you have to physically visit one of the branches to pick up your card within 30 days of online registration. It is a spectacular collection and very easy to navigate. They also have a large collection of ebooks in French.

I can't log in to check out ebooks this morning. Anyone else having this problem? It worked fine last night.

It was apparently some kind of software issue. It's working now.

@maggotb0y: I just recently got a Philly library card with intent to use their ebooks, and I have a question: How on earth do you find anything on their eBook site?

Their search appears to be seriously wedged. For example, I can't seem to search for "all downloadable fiction ebooks." Any suggestions or tips?

Xenophon

Searching can be tricky. If I search for Horror I get 47 listings (Audiobook, and videos).

But if you use quotation marks "" as in "Prodigal Son" you may have better luck.

To get the list of all fiction ebooks:
Start on their Digital media home page http://freelibrary.lib.overdrive.com
Click on eBooks by Genre
About halfway down the page find All eBook fiction click on Complete list...
That will take you to the list. Currently 1060 ebooks.
And that's working beautifully for me. Thanks!

I was somehow getting to their NetLibrary page, which is seriously deficient. The overdrive ebooks are far better organized.

Xenophon

I finally got a response from the library about subscriptions for people outside the US. And the answer was yes! They would prefer you send them a check or money order, as opposed to cash, but it does have to be denominated in US dollars.

-Marcy

I just got an email with my card number and a note saying my card was being mailed today.
I have about 100 books on my wishlist!
Thank you for the information!

I mailed my application last week and should hear back early next week.

Quick question...when applying for a non-resident card with the Philadelphia Free Library, do you need to send them some form of ID?

When I applied for my non-resident NYPL card (not available anymore), they required me to send a copy of my driver's license along with my application and payment.

Thanks!
dordale :)

The application form did not mention showing ID.

Quick question...when applying for a non-resident card with the Philadelphia Free Library, do you need to send them some form of ID?

When I applied for my non-resident NYPL card (not available anymore), they required me to send a copy of my driver's license along with my application and payment.

Thanks!
dordale :)

Woo, hoo! Just received an e-mail today with my library card number (dordale, during the entire application process no mention of needing any ID card). I had sent in my application and check about a month ago and was beginning to wonder. But now I am in business.

Wisconsin has a state wide e-book library, but the selection is small and much of that is Self Help and How To books. So this presents a great new resource. I've already located a complete collection of Kafka and Native Son. I wish more online library systems would open up to non-residents out in the 'boonies.' I don't mind paying a fee for it.

How much is a subscription to those not in the local area?

Received my email this morning from Free Library of Philadelphia. It took about 1.5 weeks from the time they received the application.

Jon, the Philly non-resident card costs $15 for one year. Not sure how renewals work yet.

I finally got a response from the library about subscriptions for people outside the US. And the answer was yes! They would prefer you send them a check or money order, as opposed to cash, but it does have to be denominated in US dollars.

-Marcy

Cool. That's awesome news! :)

Haven't read through the whole thread so this may have been brought up before. Does it strike anyone else as being slightly odd that in this electronic age, when the Philly Library probably knows that many of the out-of-area users are in it for the e-books, that you have to print out a form, and mail it in with payment? If you can file your income taxes electronically, it doesn't seem that getting a library card electronically would be all that big of a deal....

Is this available for non-US residents who also aren't American citizens?

Haven't read through the whole thread so this may have been brought up before. Does it strike anyone else as being slightly odd that in this electronic age, when the Philly Library probably knows that many of the out-of-area users are in it for the e-books, that you have to print out a form, and mail it in with payment? If you can file your income taxes electronically, it doesn't seem that getting a library card electronically would be all that big of a deal....

It is a big deal in that now they would have to take credit cards, which involves getting a merchant account and giving the credit card companies a cut. Since they only take check/money order, you need to mail it to them.

-Marcy

Is this available for non-US residents who also aren't American citizens?

Yes, I am in Canada and I got one.

I'm in Cleveland and so far haven't been that impressed with the selection of ebooks that Clevenet offers. I'm having a hard time finding most things. Can't wait to get hooked up with the Philadelphia library. thanks for the info.

tponzo--
I fear that if you don't like Clevnet's collection of eBooks you'll probably be disappointed with the Philadelphia library. Clevnet has one of the larger eBook collections (currently 4600 ePubs). The Philadelphia library only has about a quarter of that--about 1200 ePubs. Still, the Philadelphia collection isn't too shabby when you compare it to my hometown of Sacramento (only 105 ePubs last time I checked).

dordale :)

I haven't had a lot of luck finding ebooks in the Clevenet collection. Seems like a lot of the newer best seller and genre collections are available as mp3s but not as epubs. Fine if you want to listen to your books rather than read them but I'm not there yet. I really was hoping to find more things available as epubs. Oh well it's still better than nothing and at least with Sony I can take advantage of what is out there. Waiting for my card from Philadelphia to see what they've got.

No need to wait for the card to check out the collection...

http://freelibrary.lib.overdrive.com/DC3AEA44-CBF0-4451-AC93-154AE68B6EDE/10/354/en/AdvancedSearch.htm

(If you choose the ePub format from the drop down menu and leave everything else blank, the search engine will generate a list of all the ePub books available.)

dordale :)

Just got my card from FLP. On vacation this week, can't wait to do some serious reading.