Coverting public library ebooks to Kindle

randyflycaster · 10-07-2010, 11:10 AM

I'm interested in converting public library ebooks to a Kindle. I was told that many of the ebooks might be locked with DRM, and that might make it hard to convert using Calibre. Is this true?

I'm reluctant to buy a Kindle because I want to borrow ebooks from my public library.

Thanks so much,

Randy

deschiff · 10-07-2010, 11:19 AM

That's right, Calibre won't do DRM. In Minnesota Public Library ebooks come in bolth EPUB & PDF and can be read with portable devices that support Adobe ADE. But you have to buy or borrow the format your device can use because it can't be converted legally if it has DRM.

randyflycaster · 10-07-2010, 11:27 AM

Thanks, but I'm not sure I understand your reply. The New York Public library has a lot of epub books to borrow. How do I know if they're locked with DRM and can't be converted for using on a Kindle?

Randy

Manichean · 10-07-2010, 11:30 AM

You could ask the library. If they offer that service, they should be able to tell you if the books will work on a Kindle or not.

randyflycaster · 10-07-2010, 11:34 AM

I have no way of getting that answer from my library.
Randy

chaley · 10-07-2010, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyflycaster

Thanks, but I'm not sure I understand your reply. The New York Public library has a lot of epub books to borrow. How do I know if they're locked with DRM and can't be converted for using on a Kindle?

Like almost all libraries, NY Public Library uses adobe overdrive. This means:
1) all the books are Adobe DRM encumbered, with time limits.
2) you can't read the books on a Kindle or iPad.

See this NY Public library page, which has a link to this compatibility list.

randyflycaster · 10-07-2010, 12:00 PM

Yes, I was able to check with my library. So I guess I'll have to buy a Nook or a Kobo.

Randy

Leep · 10-07-2010, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyflycaster

I have no way of getting that answer from my library.
Randy

You can assume that all library ebooks are locked with drm. The libraries almost all use the same subscription service "Overdrive" to provide ebooks to patrons. The three formats are mobipocket, pdf and epub. To use any of these on a Kindle, you must remove the drm.

Pdf and epub formats can be used without removing the drm by Sony, Astak readers, and I believe the nook and Kobo readers. These is much discussion on this and other forums about the "scripts" needed to remove the drm from these and other ebooks so that they can also be used on a Kindle. It is a personal decision/choice about the legality of doing so.

cheers

Manichean · 10-07-2010, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leep

It is a personal decision/choice about the legality of doing so.

<nitpick>The legality is undisputed. However, the morality is the area you have the choice in.</nitpick>

cybmole · 10-07-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by randyflycaster

Thanks, but I'm not sure I understand your reply. The New York Public library has a lot of epub books to borrow. How do I know if they're locked with DRM and can't be converted for using on a Kindle?

Randy

legally they must be - they would not be allowed ( by the publishers) to offer the service otherwise. you'd be better off with a Sony reader -

I know how the service works in the uk - books are borrowed for 2 weeks via download to your reader software on your PC, from which you copy them to your reader. when borrowing time is up they vanish from your reader- so there's no concept of having to "return" them - its automatic expiry.

treetotree · 10-08-2010, 10:43 AM

Nook, Kobo, Sony, Jbl, et al.. Not Kindle

randyflycaster · 10-10-2010, 10:41 AM

As it turns out, I just ordered a Sony ereader. I just hope they stay in the ebook business.

Borrowing ebook from the library is a big issue for me, as is the weight of an ereader. The Sony Pocket Reader is the lightest one out there. The Nook felt so heavy.

Randy

kalex · 10-10-2010, 06:12 PM

Sony is very nice and works great with libraries. All libraries that use overdrive use Adobe DRM. So if you want to read it on kindle you have to strip DRM and convert it to Mobi.

DoctorOhh · 10-10-2010, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kalex

Sony is very nice and works great with libraries. All libraries that use overdrive use Adobe DRM. So if you want to read it on kindle you have to strip DRM and convert it to Mobi.

The original poster in post 12 stated that he made a decision and ordered a Sony. So he won't want to read it on a Kindle.

10-07-2010, 11:10 AM	#1
randyflycaster Zealot Posts: 113 Karma: 1000858 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York City Device: Sony 350	Coverting public library ebooks to Kindle I'm interested in converting public library ebooks to a Kindle. I was told that many of the ebooks might be locked with DRM, and that might make it hard to convert using Calibre. Is this true? I'm reluctant to buy a Kindle because I want to borrow ebooks from my public library. Thanks so much, Randy

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10-07-2010, 11:19 AM	#2
deschiff Member Posts: 12 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Minneapolis, MN. Device: Bebook mini	That's right, Calibre won't do DRM. In Minnesota Public Library ebooks come in bolth EPUB & PDF and can be read with portable devices that support Adobe ADE. But you have to buy or borrow the format your device can use because it can't be converted legally if it has DRM.

10-07-2010, 11:27 AM	#3
randyflycaster Zealot Posts: 113 Karma: 1000858 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York City Device: Sony 350	Thanks, but I'm not sure I understand your reply. The New York Public library has a lot of epub books to borrow. How do I know if they're locked with DRM and can't be converted for using on a Kindle? Randy

10-07-2010, 11:30 AM	#4
Manichean Wizard Posts: 3,130 Karma: 91256 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany Device: Cybook Gen3	You could ask the library. If they offer that service, they should be able to tell you if the books will work on a Kindle or not.

10-07-2010, 11:34 AM	#5
randyflycaster Zealot Posts: 113 Karma: 1000858 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York City Device: Sony 350	I have no way of getting that answer from my library. Randy

10-07-2010, 12:00 PM	#7
randyflycaster Zealot Posts: 113 Karma: 1000858 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York City Device: Sony 350	Yes, I was able to check with my library. So I guess I'll have to buy a Nook or a Kobo. Randy

10-08-2010, 10:43 AM	#11
treetotree Connoisseur Posts: 61 Karma: 346 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida Device: Jetbook Lite, Kindle DXG,prs-350, wife k3	Nook, Kobo, Sony, Jbl, et al.. Not Kindle

10-10-2010, 10:41 AM	#12
randyflycaster Zealot Posts: 113 Karma: 1000858 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New York City Device: Sony 350	As it turns out, I just ordered a Sony ereader. I just hope they stay in the ebook business. Borrowing ebook from the library is a big issue for me, as is the weight of an ereader. The Sony Pocket Reader is the lightest one out there. The Nook felt so heavy. Randy

10-10-2010, 06:12 PM	#13
kalex Zealot Posts: 132 Karma: 3248 Join Date: Jun 2007 Device: sony	Sony is very nice and works great with libraries. All libraries that use overdrive use Adobe DRM. So if you want to read it on kindle you have to strip DRM and convert it to Mobi.