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Just want to say that as someone born and bred here in Singapore, I have only been able to borrow ebooks successfully ONCE. And that was after a month's wait. The other ebooks are still on the waiting list to be released, and I have given up. COMPLETELY.
Not saying it is wrong for non-Singaporeans to sign up and borrow (because it is the National Library Board's problem), but priority should pretty much be for Singapore citizens and permanent residents (with proper card numbers) as there are hardly any other options out there for ebooks.
FYI, iTunes still does not have a presence here. I can use VPN to purchase books off B&N (I have a Nook) but why should I pay when my library has it? Oh wait, their copy is not available yet.
Right now, it's easier to download a book *elsewhere*, or pay for it because the library's copy is out there. I could go sign up with a foreign library for access to ebooks if they permit it, but it does not mean I should do it.
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p/s: I'm not (very) bitter about the abuse of system, just resigned to the strange ways of the library. I do love them so dearly; libraries are plenty on this island of ours, with an amazing physical books and DVDs collection. But they are still physical books.
And they are purchased with OUR taxpayers' money. Permanent residents are also required to pay a sum of money to sign up with the library for their physical books collection.
It's kind of unfair, can you guys see that?
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