|
A few things i'd like to comment on:
1. I would guess that most library ebook borrowers are not aware that books can be returned early. I found out here on MobileRead how to do it. It wasn't helped by the fact that when my library started with ebooks it actually said as part of the FAQs that ebooks couldn't be returned early. That's now fixed, but it takes a bit of digging to find that out, and it just says that books can be returned using the software, but no instructions.
2. A lot of people can't physically get to the library, and it does seem to defeat the purpose to make people go to the library to download. On a personal note, I've been away from home for a lot of the last two years (but I still have to pay local council rates) and being able to download ebooks from my local library has meant that I could continue reading the books I want to read without having to buy half a year's worth (I read a *lot*) in paper and cart them south with me. I've also had times where I was not able to get to the library because of limited opening hours and long work hours. When I am at home, I do physically frequent the library and borrow (and reserve!) paper books.
3. I am also bemused by the people complaining about wait times. Borrowing popular library books has always involved wait times - and at least with ebooks you can calculate the *maximum* wait time. With paper books there is always the risk that the book is lost, damaged, or kept for 10 weeks by unscrupulous library patrons. And yes, I know people that have done that. When the maximum fine is $10 (varies library to library) and a full-priced hardback book is $45 (Australia) there is a strong temptation to just keep the book and tell the library it's lost. But I guess we at MobileRead are all too much upright and considerate citizens to do this sort of thing.
|