MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Service Which Will Let Libraries Give Multiple Simultaneous Access to Ebooks!

GtrsRGr8 · 02-26-2017, 09:56 PM

Have you ever checked your library for an ebook that you wanted to read, only to find it checked out (and maybe even having a hold placed on it for when the current borrower returns it)? Of course you have, if you've ever tried to borrow an ebook from your library. In fact, you might have had several titles, before, that you were interested in, and all of them were checked out. Of course, that's going to be much more common for newer and/or more popular titles.

I ran across the following webpage for FREADING, a service from a company called "Library Ideas." The thing that stands out to me is the fourth benefit listed, "multiple simultaneous access on all titles!" Translated, I think that that has to mean that more than one person can borrow the same ebook at the same time!

Several years ago, I had heard rumors about this about this kind of thing being available somewhere or about it coming soon, and then I hadn't heard anything more about it. A press release or newsletter or something that this company posted on their website about this dates all the way back to 2011. So, I'm wondering why we haven't heard more about it. Perhaps the cost is too prohibitive for most libraries--and none of them can subscribe to every good idea that comes along--all of the libraries do all have budgets.

Neither one of the two libraries where I have borrowing privileges has the service, unfortunately. It probably will be a long time forthcoming before our local library has it. They have the greatest people there, but it is so woefully underfunded (and our county commissioners repeatedly almost literally throw away money right and left). But, it might be do-able for another library where I have borrowing privileges, just one county away--one county away, but being a world different (for one thing, their library does seem to be well funded, and the county seems to have much more competent leadership than ours).

Anyway, I'm going to contact perhaps both libraries, maybe even tonight, via email, and pass this idea by them. I thought that I would let you know about this service in case you might want to pass the idea by your local library, or other ones where you have borrowing privileges.

The direct link to the FREADING webpage is http://www.libraryideas.com/freading.html.

Oh, yeah, I don't know that this particular service does it, but wouldn't it be great if this concept was extended to audiobooks as well? There might be some company that offers it already, and I'm just not aware of it.

02-26-2017, 09:56 PM	#1
GtrsRGr8 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,334 Karma: 27815322 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Southeastern U.S., ya'll Device: Kindle; Kindle (10.1.1) for PC; Kindle Cloud Reader	Service Which Will Let Libraries Give Multiple Simultaneous Access to Ebooks! Have you ever checked your library for an ebook that you wanted to read, only to find it checked out (and maybe even having a hold placed on it for when the current borrower returns it)? Of course you have, if you've ever tried to borrow an ebook from your library. In fact, you might have had several titles, before, that you were interested in, and all of them were checked out. Of course, that's going to be much more common for newer and/or more popular titles. I ran across the following webpage for FREADING, a service from a company called "Library Ideas." The thing that stands out to me is the fourth benefit listed, "multiple simultaneous access on all titles!" Translated, I think that that has to mean that more than one person can borrow the same ebook at the same time! Several years ago, I had heard rumors about this about this kind of thing being available somewhere or about it coming soon, and then I hadn't heard anything more about it. A press release or newsletter or something that this company posted on their website about this dates all the way back to 2011. So, I'm wondering why we haven't heard more about it. Perhaps the cost is too prohibitive for most libraries--and none of them can subscribe to every good idea that comes along--all of the libraries do all have budgets. Neither one of the two libraries where I have borrowing privileges has the service, unfortunately. It probably will be a long time forthcoming before our local library has it. They have the greatest people there, but it is so woefully underfunded (and our county commissioners repeatedly almost literally throw away money right and left). But, it might be do-able for another library where I have borrowing privileges, just one county away--one county away, but being a world different (for one thing, their library does seem to be well funded, and the county seems to have much more competent leadership than ours). Anyway, I'm going to contact perhaps both libraries, maybe even tonight, via email, and pass this idea by them. I thought that I would let you know about this service in case you might want to pass the idea by your local library, or other ones where you have borrowing privileges. The direct link to the FREADING webpage is http://www.libraryideas.com/freading.html. Oh, yeah, I don't know that this particular service does it, but wouldn't it be great if this concept was extended to audiobooks as well? There might be some company that offers it already, and I'm just not aware of it. Last edited by GtrsRGr8; 02-26-2017 at 10:05 PM.