Library does not have ebooks

ljhamilton · 01-16-2011, 09:34 AM

I just received a Nook Color for Christmas and am still learning how to use it...

My local library does not have ebooks available for download. I would like to try to read different styles of books without buying them. I checked the next closest county and they charge $200 per year for a membership to their library if you do not live in the county. Is there a library online that anyone can be a member and borrow books from online?

I apologize if this is a duplicate thread. I tried the search on the forum and online and have found nothing.

Thanks for the help.

Doug Pardee · 01-16-2011, 10:19 AM

You might try http://search.overdrive.com/ to see if there are any other libraries besides the county ones nearby. Big city libraries usually have better selections.

The most popular "out of area" library is the Free Library of Philadelphia. They charge $15 per year. http://www.freelibrary.org/

nookkatz · 01-16-2011, 11:57 AM

The Free Library of Philadelphia is a bargain! I joined in June, shortly after buying my first nook. It took about three weeks for my library card to come. Well worth the fee and the wait!

chas0039 · 01-16-2011, 12:36 PM

I have had very good luck with the Philadelphia library as well. Big thumbs up.

SCION · 01-16-2011, 12:52 PM

What is the waitlist like at the Free Library of Philadelphia?

Rocknsoul · 01-16-2011, 01:17 PM

So far from Philly, I downloaded 2 books I wanted immediately (James Patterson), I'm 4th on the waitlist for the next book in that series, and I was 19th out of 19 for a Suzanne Collins audiobook (which, unfortunately, is all they have for the Hunger Games series).

I just joined, so I don't know how long each waitlist will take to get through.

MusingCoyote · 01-16-2011, 02:26 PM

Baen Free Library
it's not really a library, exactly, but a bunch of books that Baen(the publisher, I think) offers for free. I'm not sure if there's anything you'd like there, but it's worth a look at least.

chas0039 · 01-16-2011, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SCION

What is the waitlist like at the Free Library of Philadelphia?

It really varies based on the popularity and the number of copies they get. Sorry I cannot be more specific, but everyone has different titles that they are interested in. I think you can browse without logging in; you might try that.

rdfry · 01-16-2011, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chas0039

It really varies based on the popularity and the number of copies they get. Sorry I cannot be more specific, but everyone has different titles that they are interested in. I think you can browse without logging in; you might try that.

yes you can browse the overdrive catalog of any library without having an account.

FizzyWater · 01-16-2011, 11:39 PM

You should look into the laws as the are applicable to you. In Ohio, since public libraries receive some of their funding from the state, any Ohioan has the right to a library card for any public Ohio library. Most have a rule that you have to come in person and bring proof of residency, but they still have to give you a card.

I get questions every time I renew my Cleveland library card (since I live in Columbus). I just tell them I'm visiting my mom and they drop it.

RAH · 01-17-2011, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljhamilton

My local library does not have ebooks available for download.

If your state is anything like mine (New Hampshire), ebooks are available on a state website, not local. What I mean is that in NH, my local library does not list any ebooks in their catalog. However, if I go to a state ebook website:

http://nh.lib.overdrive.com/4581638F...en/default.htm

I can download ebooks from it. When I do the download, it asks for my local library and my library card. In other words, all or most of the local libraries subscribe to this service, but you still do the downloading at the state level.

I do not know what state you live in, but you should try doing some searches on the state name and "overdrive", etc. Maybe your state is like NH.

ljhamilton · 01-17-2011, 08:12 PM

Thank you for all the great information.

I have signed up for the Free Library of Philadelphia. I also checked the state information (I live in Florida) and I didn't see any sort of state website where I can download books. I also checked the other counties, besides the one that charges $200/year, and the rest of the counties in Florida require a fee for non-residents. My local library said that due to budget cuts they would not be providing the service in the near future.

Again thanks for all the information!

beartard · 01-17-2011, 08:48 PM

Florida libraries are county-funded by tax money. If you don't pay taxes in that particular county, they expect you to pony up for library membership. Depending on where you live, however, you may be able to get discounts or free memberships if your libraries are in a consortium.

I live in Polk County, for example. I'm able to borrow from libraries from greater Tampa for free, and from greater Orlando at a discount. Another place to check is your local community or state college, if available.

Florida hasn't gotten on the eBook bandwagon very quickly. I think my local library system only has about 100 eBooks to lend, and most of them aren't available when I check.

BarryR · 01-18-2011, 06:25 PM

You may want to check some of the large cities and your state capital.

All residents of Massachusetts are entitled to a Boston Library card and all residents of New York State are entitled to a NYC card.

Rocknsoul · 01-21-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocknsoul

So far from Philly, I downloaded 2 books I wanted immediately (James Patterson), I'm 4th on the waitlist for the next book in that series, and I was 19th out of 19 for a Suzanne Collins audiobook (which, unfortunately, is all they have for the Hunger Games series).

I just joined, so I don't know how long each waitlist will take to get through.

For those interested, I just got an email this morning for a book I was 3rd in line for a few days ago. It's the audiobook version of a very popular book which I'm now #66 out 70 for the ebook.

It's a WMA, so I can only listen to it on my PC. Good for when I'm cleaning my office, or the rooms around it.

I've moved up to 2 out of 3 on the the James Patterson, and 15 out of 21 on the Hunger Games mp3.

I've decided when I've finished a library book & I'm on the waiting list, that's a good time to get on another waiting list & read a few of the hundreds of free books I've downloaded thanks to tips on this board.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

01-16-2011, 09:34 AM	#1
ljhamilton Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Nook Color	Library does not have ebooks I just received a Nook Color for Christmas and am still learning how to use it... My local library does not have ebooks available for download. I would like to try to read different styles of books without buying them. I checked the next closest county and they charge $200 per year for a membership to their library if you do not live in the county. Is there a library online that anyone can be a member and borrow books from online? I apologize if this is a duplicate thread. I tried the search on the forum and online and have found nothing. Thanks for the help.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
library ebooks	dixieknits	Ectaco jetBook	2	07-16-2010 10:30 AM
Library Ebooks	jenieliser	General Discussions	31	03-19-2010 03:23 AM
What is eBooks-Library.com?	Sonist	Reading Recommendations	6	10-17-2009 09:55 AM
505 for library ebooks & disfunctional sony library	BookishMom	Sony Reader	11	05-20-2009 12:43 AM
library ebooks	Mutt Nut	Introduce Yourself	4	01-30-2008 05:20 PM

01-16-2011, 10:19 AM	#2
Doug Pardee Zealot Posts: 140 Karma: 106318 Join Date: Jun 2010 Device: B&N NOOK 3G	You might try http://search.overdrive.com/ to see if there are any other libraries besides the county ones nearby. Big city libraries usually have better selections. The most popular "out of area" library is the Free Library of Philadelphia. They charge $15 per year. http://www.freelibrary.org/

01-16-2011, 11:57 AM	#3
nookkatz Tuxedo Cats! Posts: 210 Karma: 1033575 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Nooks and iThings	The Free Library of Philadelphia is a bargain! I joined in June, shortly after buying my first nook. It took about three weeks for my library card to come. Well worth the fee and the wait!

01-16-2011, 12:36 PM	#4
chas0039 Sceptic Posts: 573 Karma: 73436 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: The Lake Device: rooted Nooks, retired. JetBook Lite, Kindle 3, 4, Kobo Nia, Libra H2O.	I have had very good luck with the Philadelphia library as well. Big thumbs up.

01-16-2011, 12:52 PM	#5
SCION Séduisant Posts: 4,706 Karma: 2107018 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Texas, USA Device: Boox Note Air2+; Kobo Libra2; Kindle Scribe, Oasis3; iPad Mini6	What is the waitlist like at the Free Library of Philadelphia?

01-16-2011, 01:17 PM	#6
Rocknsoul Member Posts: 21 Karma: 14 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Nook Wifi	So far from Philly, I downloaded 2 books I wanted immediately (James Patterson), I'm 4th on the waitlist for the next book in that series, and I was 19th out of 19 for a Suzanne Collins audiobook (which, unfortunately, is all they have for the Hunger Games series). I just joined, so I don't know how long each waitlist will take to get through.

01-16-2011, 02:26 PM	#7
MusingCoyote Member Posts: 21 Karma: 12 Join Date: Dec 2010 Device: Nook Color	Baen Free Library it's not really a library, exactly, but a bunch of books that Baen(the publisher, I think) offers for free. I'm not sure if there's anything you'd like there, but it's worth a look at least.

01-16-2011, 11:39 PM	#10
FizzyWater You kids get off my lawn! Posts: 4,220 Karma: 73492664 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Columbus, Ohio Device: Oasis 2 and Libra H2O and half a dozen older models I can't let go of	You should look into the laws as the are applicable to you. In Ohio, since public libraries receive some of their funding from the state, any Ohioan has the right to a library card for any public Ohio library. Most have a rule that you have to come in person and bring proof of residency, but they still have to give you a card. I get questions every time I renew my Cleveland library card (since I live in Columbus). I just tell them I'm visiting my mom and they drop it.

01-17-2011, 08:12 PM	#12
ljhamilton Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2011 Device: Nook Color	Thank you for all the great information. I have signed up for the Free Library of Philadelphia. I also checked the state information (I live in Florida) and I didn't see any sort of state website where I can download books. I also checked the other counties, besides the one that charges $200/year, and the rest of the counties in Florida require a fee for non-residents. My local library said that due to budget cuts they would not be providing the service in the near future. Again thanks for all the information!

01-17-2011, 08:48 PM	#13
beartard Minister of Linux Posts: 196 Karma: 73235 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Winter Haven, Florida, USA Device: nook, T-Mobile MyTouch 3G Slide	Florida libraries are county-funded by tax money. If you don't pay taxes in that particular county, they expect you to pony up for library membership. Depending on where you live, however, you may be able to get discounts or free memberships if your libraries are in a consortium. I live in Polk County, for example. I'm able to borrow from libraries from greater Tampa for free, and from greater Orlando at a discount. Another place to check is your local community or state college, if available. Florida hasn't gotten on the eBook bandwagon very quickly. I think my local library system only has about 100 eBooks to lend, and most of them aren't available when I check.

01-18-2011, 06:25 PM	#14
BarryR Connoisseur Posts: 67 Karma: 104 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Wilbraham, MA Device: Color Nook	You may want to check some of the large cities and your state capital. All residents of Massachusetts are entitled to a Boston Library card and all residents of New York State are entitled to a NYC card.

Advert

Advert