Ebooks in Canadian libraries

[Nate the great]

I found an interesting article on canadaeast.com:

"Unfortunately the message that people get when they buy those ebook readers is about where to buy ebooks, but a lot of them don't realize there's a lot of free ebooks available," said Anne O'Shea, assistant manager for electronic resources with the Vancouver Public Library.

With very little fanfare, libraries across the country have been offering access to ebooks for years, well before the Amazon Kindle and Sony's Readers became hot, trendy tech gadgets.

There are ebooks and electronic audiobooks available for download to compatible e-readers, computers, MP3 players and smartphones, as well as music and movies.

And best of all, they're automatically returned so there's no late fees.

from:
http://www.canadaeast.com/article/901510

[ficbot]

Great article. I use the TPL ebook service all the time and I have made sure to tell them at the branch that I have been doing so. I think this is the first time I have seen numbers from anyone on exactly how many people are using them---50 on the hold list for ebook Dan Brown vs 1500 on the hold list for print Dan Brown.

[Latinandgreek]

Thanks, Nate! I wasn't aware of how many e-book the TLP offered, I imagined the number to be much lower!

[simonp]

I'm a user of the Vancouver Public Library System, and for the life of me I can't figure out how to actually download their ebooks to my computer.

I've gone through all the electronic resources the VPL offers, and everything seems to be readable only online (usually through an Adobe .pdf).

Has any other user of the VPL succeeded in actually downloading an ebook?

[Wetdogeared]

Originally Posted by simonp

I'm a user of the Vancouver Public Library System, and for the life of me I can't figure out how to actually download their ebooks to my computer.

I've gone through all the electronic resources the VPL offers, and everything seems to be readable only online (usually through an Adobe .pdf).

Has any other user of the VPL succeeded in actually downloading an ebook?

I frequently use the VPL through the British Columbia Library: Your Library Without Walls.
You need to log in with a valid VPL library card, select your eBooks (if they are available or put them on hold) then checkout like a regular online store. (see red arrows).

The quick start guide is here.

You may also need to download and install OverDrive® Media Console™ and Adobe® Digital Editions in order to download your eBooks and audiobooks.

[simonp]

Originally Posted by Wetdogeared

I frequently use the VPL through the British Columbia Library: Your Library Without Walls.
You need to log in with a valid VPL library card, select your eBooks (if they are available or put them on hold) then checkout like a regular online store. (see red arrows).

The quick start guide is here.

You may also need to download and install OverDrive® Media Console™ and Adobe® Digital Editions in order to download your eBooks and audiobooks.

Thanks so much for the info. I emailed the VPL, and they sent me back a boiler plate response pointing out the online ebook catalogues but nothing about downloads. How did you even find out about B.C. Libary?

Bad news though. I have a Kindle 2, and I don't think it supports encrypted mobi files; not sure about the others though. I guess there are ways around that, however.

[Wetdogeared]

Originally Posted by simonp

Thanks so much for the info. I emailed the VPL, and they sent me back a boiler plate response pointing out the online ebook catalogues but nothing about downloads. How did you even find out about B.C. Libary?

Bad news though. I have a Kindle 2, and I don't think it supports encrypted mobi files; not sure about the others though. I guess there are ways around that, however.

I think I found out about it first just through Google. It is also mentioned in the MobileRead Wiki under EBook_Lending_Libraries and now you can search for an available public library in Canada via Sony's Reader Store.

There used to be a way for Kindle users to access your public library ebooks but I believe they have closed that gap. I'm not that familiar with the Kindle other than you need one or Kindle 4 PC to access the Kindle Store.

[jodykihara]

I spoke to someone at my library (in Vancouver) and they said neither Kindles nor Nooks work with the VPL e-book system.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by jodykihara

I spoke to someone at my library (in Vancouver) and they said neither Kindles nor Nooks work with the VPL e-book system.

They're wrong about Nooks. Nooks will work. See OverDrive's Device Resource Center for compatible devices.

[CRussel]

Originally Posted by jodykihara

I spoke to someone at my library (in Vancouver) and they said neither Kindles nor Nooks work with the VPL e-book system.

That is incorrect. I use the BC Library download site all the time for books on my Kindle. However, it does require removing DRM. This is not a difficult process if you're already using Calibre, nor is it illegal in Canada for personal use. But it is not officially supported by the library, so you can't ask them for help. Of course, there are places to find help, such as Apprentice Alf.

[treadlightly]

The Ottawa Public Library has a fantastic selection of eBooks, and newly released books are added regularly. I'm a very happy user.

[chamekke]

I'd been told that you couldn't use the VPL for borrowing e-books unless you lived in Greater Vancouver. (I'm on Vancouver Island.)

Is this wrong?

[frddgls]

You can order ebooks through the Vancouver Island Regional Library.

[SensualPoet]

Nooks are probably not supported by VPL since Nooks are not sold in Canada and Barnes and Noble will not sell the device outside of the US.

Much cheaper and easier to get a Kobo WiFi; currently $129 from Indigo; and it works seamlessly with VPL and TPL, among others.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

Nooks are probably not supported by VPL since Nooks are not sold in Canada and Barnes and Noble will not sell the device outside of the US.

Much cheaper and easier to get a Kobo WiFi; currently $129 from Indigo; and it works seamlessly with VPL and TPL, among others.

Nooks will work. OverDrive supplies the books and Nook is a supported device.