Exchanging Library Card Numbers

Tony30 · 05-10-2011, 03:42 PM

I'm so blessed to have a friend in state of Arizona.
We share our library card numbers to borrow ebooks from both Phoenix Digital Library, and Los Angeles Digital Library. We both have an understating not to borrow over the limit, so I may borrow from my library whenever I need. This is fantastic especially when you need an eBook that isn't available at your local library overdrive collection.

Let me know what you think of sharing ebook Library access with your friends and family members out of state.

Alexander Turcic · 05-11-2011, 01:12 AM

Moderator Notice
Tony,

Please note that sharing your library access is most likely against the library's terms and hence must not be encouraged at MobileRead.

Thank you for your understanding.

Alex

HarleyB · 05-11-2011, 02:38 AM

I don't really know how that would work? Wouldn't you need to share your ADE accounts too?

In any case in view of the Moderator Notice above I won't discuss that any further but on a related note I am a member of 4 different libraries - my local library and the library of my nearby capital city (both of which I am eligible to join because of where I live and work) and 2 libraries that I joined online.
Although I can now borrow up to 26 books at a time

(which I can't imagine ever doing!) the main benefit is that I have access to different books at 3 of the libraries (2 libraries share the same collection.) Also for the popular books (which are in all libraries) I have access to 3 different waiting lists. Sometimes a book with a long waiting list at one library will be available at another.

Have you investigated what other libraries you may be able to join?

Asawi · 05-11-2011, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyB

I don't really know how that would work? Wouldn't you need to share your ADE accounts too?

No, The library doesn't ask for your Adobe ID. At least one of the three I'm a member of does.

elemenoP · 05-11-2011, 09:16 AM

Aside from the legal, ethical, and ADE issues, don't you guys find a lot of overlap in the catalogs? I am a member of Brooklyn Public Library and I am eligible for an NYPL card too. But when I look at the NYPL ebooks catalog, I have only found ONE book that I want, that is not available at BPL. So I keep telling myself I will get around to getting an NYPL card, but then I never do. (well actually once I did, but I got turned away for not having the proper paperwork, and I haven't tried again.) In the meantime, I keep on reading and reading from the BPL catalog.

Similarly, I have looked at the ebook collection of my dad's library (not that I was thinking of doing anything illegal or unethical with my dad's library card...) and the catalog seems to be mostly the same.

eP

tubemonkey · 05-11-2011, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elemenoP

Aside from the legal, ethical, and ADE issues, don't you guys find a lot of overlap in the catalogs?

There's quite a bit of overlap. The reason I belong to multiple libraries has to do with availability. Checked out a one, but available at another; or a shorter wait list.

trksh22 · 05-11-2011, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyB

<snip> and 2 libraries that I joined online.
<snip>

Are your two libraries available for anyone to join? I'm curious as to what the two libraries are, as I'd live to join. I have a Philly Free card that I happen to love and cherish, ha!

pilotbob · 05-11-2011, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyB

I don't really know how that would work? Wouldn't you need to share your ADE accounts too?

No... but if you use different ADE accounts to get books from the same library you will find that you can't d/l a book with AccountA that has been downloaded with AccountB.

At least, I think that is what I saw when I was d/l-ing stuff from the library for my wife using two different Adobe accounts, her's and mine both using her library card.

Although, it could have just been with audio books... so not 100% sure.

BOb

Leep · 05-11-2011, 12:32 PM

Actually, I think you may be able to download the same book from more than one library. You probably need to clean out the old book listing from the 'my digital editions' folder before you try to do so, however.

I have access to multiple libraries and use three different computers to download ADE ebooks with no issues, so I'm thinking it works. Just as a matter of habit, I clean out my digital editions folder every month or two.

cheers

odiakkoh · 05-11-2011, 12:34 PM

Well since you're in Cali it wont be hard for you to start collecting library cards (legally) in state.

Tony30 · 05-11-2011, 12:54 PM

I totally agree with Alex. Although sharing is not restricted under most library borrowing policies, the practice of sharing library cards is discouraged.

God knows my kids borrow my library card to borrow their hardcover books when they can't borrow enough books from their own cards. I honestly think libraries should openly allow sharing, at least among family members as long as we don’t abuse the membership.

trksh22 · 05-11-2011, 02:08 PM

Our library allows sharing, but the person on the card is liable for any damage. I used to use my kids cards when I ran out of space on my own, but not anymore since the library upped the amount of books we can check out at a time (from 10 to 25).

elizilla · 05-11-2011, 03:04 PM

When I was a teenager, our house was not in a place with a public library. My mother paid the non-resident fee for a card at a public library in a big town about 45 minutes away, and she'd take us there every couple weeks. AFAIK it wasn't against the rules for my mom to share her card with us kids, and we never hit any limits except for how much we could each carry. But if we lost any books, my mom was the one they held responsible.

Tome Keeper · 05-11-2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elizilla

When I was a teenager, our house was not in a place with a public library. My mother paid the non-resident fee for a card at a public library in a big town about 45 minutes away, and she'd take us there every couple weeks. AFAIK it wasn't against the rules for my mom to share her card with us kids, and we never hit any limits except for how much we could each carry. But if we lost any books, my mom was the one they held responsible.

Same at all the libraries I have worked at. Though I haven't needed to share a card since I was a very young child, and now have at least 7 or 8 due to the many varied places I've lived and worked.

CWatkinsNash · 05-11-2011, 03:25 PM

I don't mind if my library has a non-resident program. I certainly don't mind people sharing their cards within their household - that's what families do. I do, however, mind if people are sharing their library cards with people outside of the library's service area for the purpose of checking out ebooks.

05-10-2011, 03:42 PM	#1
Tony30 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: Kindle, Nook	Exchanging Library Card Numbers I'm so blessed to have a friend in state of Arizona. We share our library card numbers to borrow ebooks from both Phoenix Digital Library, and Los Angeles Digital Library. We both have an understating not to borrow over the limit, so I may borrow from my library whenever I need. This is fantastic especially when you need an eBook that isn't available at your local library overdrive collection. Let me know what you think of sharing ebook Library access with your friends and family members out of state.

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05-11-2011, 01:12 AM	#2
Alexander Turcic Fully Converged Posts: 18,163 Karma: 14021202 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Switzerland Device: Too many to count here.	Moderator Notice Tony, Please note that sharing your library access is most likely against the library's terms and hence must not be encouraged at MobileRead. Thank you for your understanding. Alex

05-11-2011, 02:38 AM	#3
HarleyB Fanatic Posts: 565 Karma: 1113286 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sunshine Coast Australia Device: Kobo (RIP), iPad, iPhone 4, Kobo Touch x2, Kobo Glo	I don't really know how that would work? Wouldn't you need to share your ADE accounts too? In any case in view of the Moderator Notice above I won't discuss that any further but on a related note I am a member of 4 different libraries - my local library and the library of my nearby capital city (both of which I am eligible to join because of where I live and work) and 2 libraries that I joined online. Although I can now borrow up to 26 books at a time (which I can't imagine ever doing!) the main benefit is that I have access to different books at 3 of the libraries (2 libraries share the same collection.) Also for the popular books (which are in all libraries) I have access to 3 different waiting lists. Sometimes a book with a long waiting list at one library will be available at another. Have you investigated what other libraries you may be able to join?

05-11-2011, 09:16 AM	#5
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	Aside from the legal, ethical, and ADE issues, don't you guys find a lot of overlap in the catalogs? I am a member of Brooklyn Public Library and I am eligible for an NYPL card too. But when I look at the NYPL ebooks catalog, I have only found ONE book that I want, that is not available at BPL. So I keep telling myself I will get around to getting an NYPL card, but then I never do. (well actually once I did, but I got turned away for not having the proper paperwork, and I haven't tried again.) In the meantime, I keep on reading and reading from the BPL catalog. Similarly, I have looked at the ebook collection of my dad's library (not that I was thinking of doing anything illegal or unethical with my dad's library card...) and the catalog seems to be mostly the same. eP

05-11-2011, 12:32 PM	#9
Leep Guru Posts: 739 Karma: 1018859 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Near Seattle Device: kindle1, K3, K3G (thanks MR), iTouch, Kindle Touch	Actually, I think you may be able to download the same book from more than one library. You probably need to clean out the old book listing from the 'my digital editions' folder before you try to do so, however. I have access to multiple libraries and use three different computers to download ADE ebooks with no issues, so I'm thinking it works. Just as a matter of habit, I clean out my digital editions folder every month or two. cheers

05-11-2011, 12:34 PM	#10
odiakkoh Guru Posts: 823 Karma: 1818344 Join Date: Apr 2011 Device: iPhone 5s	Well since you're in Cali it wont be hard for you to start collecting library cards (legally) in state.

05-11-2011, 12:54 PM	#11
Tony30 Junior Member Posts: 4 Karma: 10 Join Date: May 2011 Device: Kindle, Nook	I totally agree with Alex. Although sharing is not restricted under most library borrowing policies, the practice of sharing library cards is discouraged. God knows my kids borrow my library card to borrow their hardcover books when they can't borrow enough books from their own cards. I honestly think libraries should openly allow sharing, at least among family members as long as we don’t abuse the membership.

05-11-2011, 02:08 PM	#12
trksh22 I'd Rather be Reading Posts: 55 Karma: 60 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: K2	Our library allows sharing, but the person on the card is liable for any damage. I used to use my kids cards when I ran out of space on my own, but not anymore since the library upped the amount of books we can check out at a time (from 10 to 25).

05-11-2011, 03:04 PM	#13
elizilla Addict Posts: 266 Karma: 610286 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Michigan, USA Device: Kobo Elipsa, Kobo Aura One, Sony PRS 650, Sony PRS 350	When I was a teenager, our house was not in a place with a public library. My mother paid the non-resident fee for a card at a public library in a big town about 45 minutes away, and she'd take us there every couple weeks. AFAIK it wasn't against the rules for my mom to share her card with us kids, and we never hit any limits except for how much we could each carry. But if we lost any books, my mom was the one they held responsible.

05-11-2011, 03:25 PM	#15
CWatkinsNash IOC Chief Archivist Posts: 3,950 Karma: 53868218 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Fruitland Park, FL, USA Device: Meebook M7, Paperwhite 2021, Fire HD 8+, Fire HD 10+, Lenovo Tab P12	I don't mind if my library has a non-resident program. I certainly don't mind people sharing their cards within their household - that's what families do. I do, however, mind if people are sharing their library cards with people outside of the library's service area for the purpose of checking out ebooks.