Before I discovered the eBook system was in use at my local library I had not visited the library in 10 years (needless to say being an avid reader I racked up quite the annual book bill). As soon as I discovered that I was able to have access to the library’s eBook system I went out and immediately bought myself a Kobo Vox eReader.
Although I do wish the library had a couple of copies of the eBooks available for lending (as my local library system only appears to have one eBook per title) I am still immensely pleased that I can now borrow books once again without having to find time during my local libraries limited hours to physically get there.
I only wish that the librarian’s had more training when it came to the operation of the system and how it interacts with various eReaders. The little slip of paper I was given with the instructions on how to download and install Overdrive explained nothing about how to return a book early (which makes it difficult to estimate the maximum time, based on the number of patron’s on the waitlist for a book, you would have to wait to borrow the e-version). It was only by accident while trying to clean up my Vox that I discovered when you delete a library book from Overdrive it pops up a message asking if you’d like to delete and return the book or just delete.
Also, it would be more convenient for me (settings wise) if I were able to read these borrowed books in the Kobo application.
As this is a fairly new system I would imagine that it will be streamlined as time goes on. There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of selection at my local library when it comes to eBooks but I would imagine with time this will also improve.
Overall I think it’s a great idea and one that could also save space and improve availability and selection over time. For instance to keep things fresh libraries often purge collections of books over time (especially those for reading enjoyment and non-academic purposes) it makes me wonder if 20 years down the road you may not still be able to obtain a eBook version of an old fiction novel that otherwise may have been purged due to lack of popularity.
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