Digital Editions and the public library

[Lilly]

Originally Posted by Leep

Don't think that you can still open it from your reader once your return it. However, we have had some books on our ereaders not expire until we actually hooked back up to the computer or Whispernet, so maybe it will remain live on your reader until you connect to ADE again.

cheers

I can still open it. You probably right about connecting to the computer (ADE software) before that happens. It's still counting down the days on the reader.

[Peto]

Originally Posted by pilotbob

Here's another example.

I digitally transfer $1000 from my savings account to my checking account. I go online and spend $10,000 because that $1000 is just digital... it can certainly be copied very easily and I just spent the digital copy 10 times. Why is that a problem? This is the digital releam... it should be easy just to copy the money and send it to the 10 vendors... no?

Also, for some reason $1000 was deducted from my savings account. Does that make sense... I just wanted to copy $1000 of the digital money in my savings account to my checking... I didn't want to delete the $1000 digital from my savings. This is just NOT right.

BOb

[Slite]

Gosh... I just discovered that the Swedish Libraries have quite an extensive collection of e-books in Swedish that is available in mobi and PDF.

Dang, I need to go down to my local library and take out a loan card, which by the way is free over here. Weeeee! Free e-Books, this is so cool. Now, if only BeBook could get their collective tumbs out and release the Mobi support!

[GatorDeb]

What I don't understand if why you can't check a book back in. Sometimes I go through 20 books before I find one I like and finish.

[Lilly]

Originally Posted by GatorDeb

What I don't understand if why you can't check a book back in. Sometimes I go through 20 books before I find one I like and finish.

You talking about returning the book early? If so, all you have to do is go into your digital software and click on the dropdown of the book from the library and you'll see the option to return the book. It works for me, and when I sign in to my public library, all the books I returned early is no longer in my cue. The best part is it's still readable on the reader until it expired or I delete it.

[GatorDeb]

Thanks! I was able to do it with a checked out PDF file. Anyone know how to do it with a Mobipocket PRC file through the MobiPocket reader?

Thanks again!

[dordale]

GatorDeb--According the library websites I use (Sacramento, San Jose, NY), there is no current way to return mobipocket or WMA/MP3 audio books early (just Adobe).

dordale

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by dordale

GatorDeb--According the library websites I use (Sacramento, San Jose, NY), there is no current way to return mobipocket or WMA/MP3 audio books early (just Adobe).

dordale

And there probably shouldn't be for Adobe. A library owns a fixed number of copies and they limit the checkout to that number of copies so they are not in violation of their contract with the publisher. If you can check in early and are still able to continue reading the book then you will cause them to violate this contract since the eBook will be available for checkout again.

Dale

[GingerTez]

Great thread but no mention of the UK at all... does anyone know if any public libraries in the UK do this or is it only you lucky americans (and swedes)?

Cheers,
Terry.

[grooks]

Originally Posted by GingerTez

Great thread but no mention of the UK at all... does anyone know if any public libraries in the UK do this or is it only you lucky americans (and swedes)?

Check the website of your local library. It should mention if books can be downloaded in either PDF or Mobi format. You will then need to contact the library to find out what is needed (library card) before checking out ebooks. I've read 3 books from my library so far and the process is very simple.

[vivaldirules]

Originally Posted by GingerTez

Great thread but no mention of the UK at all... does anyone know if any public libraries in the UK do this or is it only you lucky americans (and swedes)?

You might also check http://search.overdrive.com. They host a lot of the public digital libraries and have search pages segregated by country.

[bbusybookworm]

I've checked around, but haven't yet found a library in the UK that supports e-books (and yes, i've checked overdrive).

But I figure, part of the problem was the unavailability of a dedicated e-book reader until recently. And Library's' are run by local council's =Government =Glacier slow

[DaleDe]

Originally Posted by bbusybookworm

I've checked around, but haven't yet found a library in the UK that supports e-books (and yes, i've checked overdrive).

But I figure, part of the problem was the unavailability of a dedicated e-book reader until recently. And Library's' are run by local council's =Government =Glacier slow

I suspect the government part, not the dedicated eBook reader part. Most people in the US use these checkouts on their PDA or laptop computer. It is only a very recent thing to even be able to use them on a dedicated reader.

Dale

[bbusybookworm]

Originally Posted by DaleDe

I suspect the government part, not the dedicated eBook reader part. Most people in the US use these checkouts on their PDA or laptop computer. It is only a very recent thing to even be able to use them on a dedicated reader.

Dale

True, and you have to look at the main customer base for library's in the uk.

From my empirical survey, most of the people there tend to be older people, people on lower or fixed incomes, children, etc. For them pbook's have probably served them the best, especially when supplemented by Audio books, VHS tapes / DVD's, Graphic novels, etc..

The stuff they do well online is easy access to the library's online databases, and searching the book catalogue (at least here in Nottingham)

[tidixon]

I use linux, so there is no way for me to 'check out' these books from home. I have to go to the library to check out my ebooks. This seems strangely as it should be.