Another library book procedure inquiry

KlondikeGeoff · 08-09-2012, 12:10 PM

I did a search and found a thread on how to get library books on the Fire. I tried to follow the recommendations, but still can't make it work. I belong to one local library and to the Phoenix city library system, both of which are set up to send books to the Kindle.

As suggested, I first went to Overdrive to see what was what. It wanted to know the city or the ZIP code of where the libraries were. I put in the two different ZIP codes, and got a response that there were no libraries there. Huh?

I called the Phoenix main library and they gave me a link to a place on their website that had tutorials on how to do this. Eventually it directed me to a link that would get me back to Overdrive where supposedly there was a way to download the software. No such link.

One time I was messing around at the Overdrive site and I got a box pop up that said some plugins were necessary to access the site. I hit the box to download these,and got a message that no plugins were necessary. Huh again?

I also went to the Kindle page that gives step-by-steps on how to download, and of course, the first link directed me right back to Overdrive, which still was no help.

What am I missing? Somewhere in all this messing around, the Kindle noted something to the effect that no software was required, as the Fire was set up to do this automatically. Yet, they wanted me to go to Overdrive. Huh, the 3rd time?

Is there any place where there is a Directions for Dummies on how to get library books to my Fire?

tubemonkey · 08-09-2012, 12:14 PM

Go to your library's digital page to borrow; not OverDrive.

AnemicOak · 08-09-2012, 12:23 PM

Here are a couple of videos that might help (replace the library websites in the video with your libraries site)...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9OxDGpEGeY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz0OcjgxtSU

These are for borrowing Kindle books, if you're trying to borrow ePubs to read with the OverDrive app or another app like Mantano, Aldiko or BlueFire the steps are a bit different.

jduck · 08-09-2012, 04:01 PM

Here's how it works for my library - pretty simple.

1. follow the link on my library's web site that takes me to the proper overdrive sub-site associated with my library. sign in with library card #.
2. use the horrible navigation procedure to locate books to borrow, add them to the e-cart or reserve, go to check out when ready.
3. When you check out, each book has a link that sends you to an amazon page that is mostly like the regular 'buy this book' page. From here the process is the same as if you bought it and is all done through amazon. Usually I just choose to deliver it to my Kindle and it shows up after a while.

It is important to use the computer to do this, as the sites involved have much fancy javascript or flash or whatever that doesn't work with the Fire's browser. But no software is needed, for the kindle format books at least.

KlondikeGeoff · 08-10-2012, 04:43 PM

Thanks, all. One problem I had is that I have not been back to the library since I bought my Kindle1 some four years ago. It did no good to keep entering my library card number, for as I found out today when going there, it had expired through lack of use. :-(

They quickly brought my card up-to-date, and when I went back to that library's website, it was surprisingly easy to find a book, click on "checkout" which did bring me to the Amazon page, which showed it as a library book (at no cost). i sent it to the Fire, and it arrived just as quickly as a purchased book.

Wonderful. When I consider what a fortune I have spent on hundreds of books over the years, I don't feel guilty about using the free library ones. Amazon, you sure knew what you were doing by selling the Kindles. Sorry, but I am going to get library books for a while.

SteveEisenberg · 08-10-2012, 08:02 PM

Since we have several library cards, I always go first to search.overdrive.com. Then I select Advanced Search. There is no place to put in a zip code; instead, if Overdrive has the book, I then select by Country and State.

This does require that one already know what title, or at least author, is desired. Thank you to all review sites linked at www.realclearbooks.com!

Quote:

Originally Posted by KlondikeGeoff

When I consider what a fortune I have spent on hundreds of books over the years, I don't feel guilty about using the free library ones.

Although I've written here that we can't afford to buy many books, and thus have to use libraries, if you added it up, the cost of the gas, and car wear and tear, we used to spend visiting big distant public libraries (Chester County in Exton PA was one) could well have come to a third world fortune. Thinking about that, my wife and I have no problem paying an out of area library fee.

Seattle Public Library, are you listening?

KlondikeGeoff · 08-11-2012, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

Seattle Public Library, are you listening?

Interesting points. What ever happened to Bookmobiles?

tubemonkey · 08-11-2012, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

Thinking about that, my wife and I have no problem paying an out of area library fee.

Seattle Public Library, are you listening?

They do have an out of area plan, but it's limited to Washington residents; and it's a bit spendy:

Quote:

Can I use Library services if I don't qualify for a free card?

Yes, but to borrow items, you will need a:

Visitor card - for people temporarily living in our service area for up to three months. Visitor cards cost $25 and are good for three months. People using a visitor card can borrow up to five items at a time.
Non-resident card - for people living in Washington state who do not qualify for service in other ways. Non-resident cards cost $85 and are good for one year.

tubemonkey · 08-11-2012, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KlondikeGeoff

Interesting points. What ever happened to Bookmobiles?

Budget cuts.

jersysman · 08-14-2012, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

...Although I've written here that we can't afford to buy many books, and thus have to use libraries, if you added it up, the cost of the gas, and car wear and tear, we used to spend visiting big distant public libraries (Chester County in Exton PA was one) ...

Seeing as I work in Exton, I'm a constant visitor at that library.

08-09-2012, 12:10 PM	#1
KlondikeGeoff Wombat Aficionado Posts: 481 Karma: 733 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arizona Device: Fire, Kindle1, Sony PRS-500 Reader, Rocket 1100 eBook	Another library book procedure inquiry I did a search and found a thread on how to get library books on the Fire. I tried to follow the recommendations, but still can't make it work. I belong to one local library and to the Phoenix city library system, both of which are set up to send books to the Kindle. As suggested, I first went to Overdrive to see what was what. It wanted to know the city or the ZIP code of where the libraries were. I put in the two different ZIP codes, and got a response that there were no libraries there. Huh? I called the Phoenix main library and they gave me a link to a place on their website that had tutorials on how to do this. Eventually it directed me to a link that would get me back to Overdrive where supposedly there was a way to download the software. No such link. One time I was messing around at the Overdrive site and I got a box pop up that said some plugins were necessary to access the site. I hit the box to download these,and got a message that no plugins were necessary. Huh again? I also went to the Kindle page that gives step-by-steps on how to download, and of course, the first link directed me right back to Overdrive, which still was no help. What am I missing? Somewhere in all this messing around, the Kindle noted something to the effect that no software was required, as the Fire was set up to do this automatically. Yet, they wanted me to go to Overdrive. Huh, the 3rd time? Is there any place where there is a Directions for Dummies on how to get library books to my Fire?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Troubleshooting Syncing procedure	sirmaru	Amazon Kindle	6	09-04-2010 03:34 PM
E-Book Deals Prompts Competition Inquiry Wall Steet Journal	advocate2	News	1	08-02-2010 03:39 PM
Screen Replacement Procedure	benjaminvm	Sony Reader	0	11-17-2009 10:57 PM
Please try this procedure for recognition	Robertb	Astak EZReader	5	09-22-2009 09:58 AM
Ebook launch procedure	HenryP	Writers' Corner	13	03-31-2009 07:24 PM

08-09-2012, 12:14 PM	#2
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,477 Karma: 158151390 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	Go to your library's digital page to borrow; not OverDrive.

08-09-2012, 12:23 PM	#3
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	Here are a couple of videos that might help (replace the library websites in the video with your libraries site)... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9OxDGpEGeY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bz0OcjgxtSU These are for borrowing Kindle books, if you're trying to borrow ePubs to read with the OverDrive app or another app like Mantano, Aldiko or BlueFire the steps are a bit different.

08-09-2012, 04:01 PM	#4
jduck Connoisseur Posts: 62 Karma: 2282 Join Date: Dec 2011 Device: kindle Fire	Here's how it works for my library - pretty simple. 1. follow the link on my library's web site that takes me to the proper overdrive sub-site associated with my library. sign in with library card #. 2. use the horrible navigation procedure to locate books to borrow, add them to the e-cart or reserve, go to check out when ready. 3. When you check out, each book has a link that sends you to an amazon page that is mostly like the regular 'buy this book' page. From here the process is the same as if you bought it and is all done through amazon. Usually I just choose to deliver it to my Kindle and it shows up after a while. It is important to use the computer to do this, as the sites involved have much fancy javascript or flash or whatever that doesn't work with the Fire's browser. But no software is needed, for the kindle format books at least.

08-10-2012, 04:43 PM	#5
KlondikeGeoff Wombat Aficionado Posts: 481 Karma: 733 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Arizona Device: Fire, Kindle1, Sony PRS-500 Reader, Rocket 1100 eBook	Thanks, all. One problem I had is that I have not been back to the library since I bought my Kindle1 some four years ago. It did no good to keep entering my library card number, for as I found out today when going there, it had expired through lack of use. :-( They quickly brought my card up-to-date, and when I went back to that library's website, it was surprisingly easy to find a book, click on "checkout" which did bring me to the Amazon page, which showed it as a library book (at no cost). i sent it to the Fire, and it arrived just as quickly as a purchased book. Wonderful. When I consider what a fortune I have spent on hundreds of books over the years, I don't feel guilty about using the free library ones. Amazon, you sure knew what you were doing by selling the Kindles. Sorry, but I am going to get library books for a while.