If Library is Primary, which reader?

janjanjan · 11-10-2013, 08:22 PM

I'm buying a reader for my son for Christmas. I have the Nook STR with Glowlight and am happy. I almost never purchase books, borrowing from the library for most of my needs. I do "buy" the free Fridays offerings from BN and occasionally purchase from BN or Amazon if I just can't wait for a particular title. And, occasionally, I stop at the BN coffeeshop and take advantage of free read-in-store.

One reason I continue to lean toward the Nook is that I've only come across one library title that isn't available in EPUB, but at least 10-15% of the books I select are only available in EPUB. This isn't something I'm selecting for--our library doesn't specify an ebook format in a search unless the user clicks on a particular format. Since I've only once found EPUB unavailable, I never use this option.

My son's non-purchasing habits will mirror mine, I suspect. All that said, I don't want to rule out the Paperwhite front lit reader. I've heard that it has greater contrast and crispness than the Nook. Controls on the STR are fine--i never use the buttons, finding a tiny tap to be plenty to turn pages.

I shop Amazon all the time, have had great experience with their CS. BN has also had excellent CS for me. If I go with Nook, I'd probably select the new reader since storage is a non-issue.

I'm very open to opinions. Thanks.

eschwartz · 11-10-2013, 08:34 PM

For buying books, Amazon will tend to have more, at better prices. For library books, some do not support Kindle due to publisher restrictions, but they are the minority. I allow the ADE ePub on kindle anyway, using the plugin-that-must-not-be-named (don't worry, I scrupulously delete after) but that's not for everyone.

Honestly, I just have more faith in Amazon to produce a better quality reader. They have a reputation for sterling firmware stability, amongst others.

JSWolf · 11-10-2013, 08:38 PM

If you are wanting to get eBooks from Overdrive via your library, go with an ePub capable reader such as the nook Glowlight. Not all eBooks have an Amazon version.

HarryT · 11-11-2013, 03:03 AM

Agreed - you should go with an ePub device for libraries.

Bookworm_Girl · 11-11-2013, 08:05 AM

I have both the old and new Glowlights. Sounds like you are happy with your Nooks and B&N experience. Therefore I would get the new Glowlight. I really like mine more than the old one. The screen fonts are clearer, and the light is brighter and more even.

ProfCrash · 11-12-2013, 08:59 AM

It looks like the Nook is going to be on sale for folks with a BN membership card. There is a topic in the News thread you should check out. You can get last years model of the Nook Glo for $49. The new Nook Glo will be $99. Since you shop at BN, I am guessing you have a membership.

elemenoP · 11-12-2013, 09:19 AM

I get most of my books through the library. I used to have a Sony Reader which was ePub format. At the time that I bought it, there were no library books for Kindle. A few months ago I got a Kindle Paperwhite and I love the library experience. I check out the book on my computer and click on Send to My Kindle. Then I turn on the wireless on my Kindle and the book downloads. I like this MUCH better than connecting the reader to the computer and loading the book that way. So far I haven't come across any books that were not available in Kindle format, but if I did, I have Calibre and Tools all set up so I could just side-load and delete after reading.

eP

janjanjan · 11-12-2013, 09:07 PM

A huge thank you. All thoughtful responses. Not sure which way I will go, yet, but the Kindle info has swayed me. I do hate the multi step process on the nook. But the $49 option may be most compelling. Not many forums where every response actually helps. Again, thanks.

Anthem · 11-13-2013, 11:57 AM

My library system provides almost all of their books in both EPUB and Amazon friendly formats (and Overdrive and online... but I don't use those). But, I despise Adobe Digital Editions and the pit of hell it crawled out of.

So, my personal recommendation would be a Kindle device like the Paperwhite (heck, even the regular Kindle could be fine). But, that depends on the formats and services provided by your library.

11-10-2013, 08:22 PM	#1
janjanjan Enthusiast Posts: 38 Karma: 17558 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: Nook Classic, Nook ST Glow	If Library is Primary, which reader? I'm buying a reader for my son for Christmas. I have the Nook STR with Glowlight and am happy. I almost never purchase books, borrowing from the library for most of my needs. I do "buy" the free Fridays offerings from BN and occasionally purchase from BN or Amazon if I just can't wait for a particular title. And, occasionally, I stop at the BN coffeeshop and take advantage of free read-in-store. One reason I continue to lean toward the Nook is that I've only come across one library title that isn't available in EPUB, but at least 10-15% of the books I select are only available in EPUB. This isn't something I'm selecting for--our library doesn't specify an ebook format in a search unless the user clicks on a particular format. Since I've only once found EPUB unavailable, I never use this option. My son's non-purchasing habits will mirror mine, I suspect. All that said, I don't want to rule out the Paperwhite front lit reader. I've heard that it has greater contrast and crispness than the Nook. Controls on the STR are fine--i never use the buttons, finding a tiny tap to be plenty to turn pages. I shop Amazon all the time, have had great experience with their CS. BN has also had excellent CS for me. If I go with Nook, I'd probably select the new reader since storage is a non-issue. I'm very open to opinions. Thanks.

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11-10-2013, 08:34 PM	#2
eschwartz Ex-Helpdesk Junkie Posts: 19,421 Karma: 85400180 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Beaten Path, USA, Roundworld, This Side of Infinity Device: Kindle Touch fw5.3.7 (Wifi only)	For buying books, Amazon will tend to have more, at better prices. For library books, some do not support Kindle due to publisher restrictions, but they are the minority. I allow the ADE ePub on kindle anyway, using the plugin-that-must-not-be-named (don't worry, I scrupulously delete after) but that's not for everyone. Honestly, I just have more faith in Amazon to produce a better quality reader. They have a reputation for sterling firmware stability, amongst others.

11-10-2013, 08:38 PM	#3
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,758 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	If you are wanting to get eBooks from Overdrive via your library, go with an ePub capable reader such as the nook Glowlight. Not all eBooks have an Amazon version.

11-11-2013, 03:03 AM	#4
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383099 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Agreed - you should go with an ePub device for libraries.

11-11-2013, 08:05 AM	#5
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,873 Karma: 36536965 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	I have both the old and new Glowlights. Sounds like you are happy with your Nooks and B&N experience. Therefore I would get the new Glowlight. I really like mine more than the old one. The screen fonts are clearer, and the light is brighter and more even.

11-12-2013, 08:59 AM	#6
ProfCrash Tea Enthusiast Posts: 8,554 Karma: 75384937 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Somewhere in the USA Device: Kindle1, Kindle DX Graphite, K3 3G, IPad 3, PW2	It looks like the Nook is going to be on sale for folks with a BN membership card. There is a topic in the News thread you should check out. You can get last years model of the Nook Glo for $49. The new Nook Glo will be $99. Since you shop at BN, I am guessing you have a membership.

11-12-2013, 09:19 AM	#7
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	I get most of my books through the library. I used to have a Sony Reader which was ePub format. At the time that I bought it, there were no library books for Kindle. A few months ago I got a Kindle Paperwhite and I love the library experience. I check out the book on my computer and click on Send to My Kindle. Then I turn on the wireless on my Kindle and the book downloads. I like this MUCH better than connecting the reader to the computer and loading the book that way. So far I haven't come across any books that were not available in Kindle format, but if I did, I have Calibre and Tools all set up so I could just side-load and delete after reading. eP

11-12-2013, 09:07 PM	#8
janjanjan Enthusiast Posts: 38 Karma: 17558 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: Nook Classic, Nook ST Glow	A huge thank you. All thoughtful responses. Not sure which way I will go, yet, but the Kindle info has swayed me. I do hate the multi step process on the nook. But the $49 option may be most compelling. Not many forums where every response actually helps. Again, thanks.

11-13-2013, 11:57 AM	#9
Anthem Guru Posts: 704 Karma: 1622328 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: USA Device: Kindle Oasis, OnePlus Nord	My library system provides almost all of their books in both EPUB and Amazon friendly formats (and Overdrive and online... but I don't use those). But, I despise Adobe Digital Editions and the pit of hell it crawled out of. So, my personal recommendation would be a Kindle device like the Paperwhite (heck, even the regular Kindle could be fine). But, that depends on the formats and services provided by your library.

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