Overdrive Lending Waiting lists

DiapDealer · 10-11-2011, 12:36 PM

No, I'm not here to complain about waiting lists at the library... specifically.

My library's wait lists are quite pleasantly short so far. But I wanted some help with some date/time math from people who may already be familiar with the intricacies/quirks of the Overdrive wait-list system.

I became "patron 1 of 1 on the waiting list" for an ebook on Sep 22... today is Oct 11. 14 days is the longest lending period at this particular library. Period. They will hold the book for you for three days before you lose your place in the waiting list.

Why am I not enjoying this book yet? Why am I still "patron 1 of 1 on the waiting list?"

Another book—that I become "patron 1 of 1 on the waiting list" on the exact same date as the ebook in question—has already been downloaded, read and enjoyed by me five days ago.

abookreader · 10-11-2011, 12:52 PM

That does seem odd.

Is it a pre-order or a book that has already been released? Sometimes my library will put pre-orders up so users can get on the waiting list but then they don't actually go active with the book for a day or two after the release date.

Blossom · 10-11-2011, 01:48 PM

I've had that happen before. 21 days is the longest on my local library. Sometimes I notice there is someone else in line but it doesn't show on the wait list. I've also have been 6th in line and suddenly the book is ready for me to check out.
That one I've yet to figure out.

xari · 10-11-2011, 01:52 PM

Is your library part of a consortium (for Overdrive use)?

If so, maybe one of the other libraries in the consortium paid extra to allow their patrons the choice of a 3-week lending period.

Not positive that that's the case, just putting forth the possibility.

In any case, I hope it becomes available for you soon!

DiapDealer · 10-11-2011, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abookreader

Is it a pre-order or a book that has already been released? Sometimes my library will put pre-orders up so users can get on the waiting list but then they don't actually go active with the book for a day or two after the release date.

No, it's an old book.

I'm going to wait a few more days and then email an inquiry about it. Tomorrow will be 21 days so maybe it was a glitch in the Kindle lending system of some kind, and someone, somehow got a 21 day loan. This was the very next day after the Kindle lending program officially went live, after all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

I've had that happen before. 21 days is the longest on my local library. Sometimes I notice there is someone else in line but it doesn't show on the wait list.

The fact that it's happened to others offers quite a bit of comfort.

I'll assume you eventually got the book?

Quote:

Originally Posted by xari

If so, maybe one of the other libraries in the consortium paid extra to allow their patrons the choice of a 3-week lending period.

That may be it! The consortium my library belongs to (which allows 21 day lending) is actually a member of the library where I joined the waiting list (and has a 14 day max). But so far, they've behaved as two separate entities with two separate inventories.

RDaneel54 · 10-11-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

No, it's an old book.

I'm going to wait a few more days and then email an inquiry about it. Tomorrow will be 21 days so maybe it was a glitch in the Kindle lending system of some kind, and someone, somehow got a 21 day loan. This was the very next day after the Kindle lending program officially went live, after all.

The fact that it's happened to others offers quite a bit of comfort.

I'll assume you eventually got the book?

That may be it! The consortium my library belongs to (which allows 21 day lending) is actually a member of the library where I joined the waiting list (and has a 14 day max). But so far, they've behaved as two separate entities with two separate inventories.

Just being dense here, but epub is also only 14 days or is it different?

At my library, Kindle limit is 14 days, but epub is 21 days. Obviously, a discriminatory plot instigated by Sony and B&N.

cHex · 10-11-2011, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

I've also have been 6th in line and suddenly the book is ready for me to check out.

I think that happens most often when there are multiple copies of the book available. If 7 people turn in their books at around the same time, people 1-7 in line get the book at about the same time.

It can also happen when people take so long before returning the book that those in line ahead of you drop out of the queue--they purchase the book, for example, or they're at their borrowing limit when the book becomes available.

DiapDealer · 10-11-2011, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDaneel54

Just being dense here, but epub is also only 14 days or is it different?

At my library, Kindle limit is 14 days, but epub is 21 days. Obviously, a discriminatory plot instigated by Sony and B&N.

I hadn't thought of that, but after checking... I only have two choices (7 day or 14 day) for any of the Overdrive digital formats.

Blossom · 10-11-2011, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

The fact that it's happened to others offers quite a bit of comfort.

I'll assume you eventually got the book?

Yes just a couple days ago in fact. I was just about to email READS and ask them when I got the notice it was my turn.

I always add 3 days onto the lending time because I don't know when the person checked it out. Sometimes I will wait 2 days before checking out one I have available just to keep those early return errors down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDaneel54

At my library, Kindle limit is 14 days, but epub is 21 days. Obviously, a discriminatory plot instigated by Sony and B&N.

We get 3 choices at mine 7, 14, 21 on any type epub, PDF, Kindle and audio books.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cHex

I think that happens most often when there are multiple copies of the book available. If 7 people turn in their books at around the same time, people 1-7 in line get the book at about the same time.

It can also happen when people take so long before returning the book that those in line ahead of you drop out of the queue--they purchase the book, for example, or they're at their borrowing limit when the book becomes available.

There was only one copy and still is only one copy. The only thing I can think of was 6 people decided not to read the book that day. This happened on the day Kindle lending became available. The book was Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens and I was 7th in line the night before and then the next day it was my turn.

abookreader · 10-11-2011, 03:11 PM

I jump far ahead in the list sometimes because my library (which is part of a consortium) buys Advantage licenses of some of the most popular books. So I'll see that I'm 21st on the waiting list but as soon as the Advantage license gets freed up I'll get that one.

Doesn't sound like that's happening with the OP though. If he's first, then he should get the book at the end of the maximum check-out window one way or another.

10-11-2011, 12:36 PM	#1
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,569 Karma: 204127028 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	Overdrive Lending Waiting lists No, I'm not here to complain about waiting lists at the library... specifically. My library's wait lists are quite pleasantly short so far. But I wanted some help with some date/time math from people who may already be familiar with the intricacies/quirks of the Overdrive wait-list system. I became "patron 1 of 1 on the waiting list" for an ebook on Sep 22... today is Oct 11. 14 days is the longest lending period at this particular library. Period. They will hold the book for you for three days before you lose your place in the waiting list. Why am I not enjoying this book yet? Why am I still "patron 1 of 1 on the waiting list?" Another book—that I become "patron 1 of 1 on the waiting list" on the exact same date as the ebook in question—has already been downloaded, read and enjoyed by me five days ago.

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10-11-2011, 12:52 PM	#2
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	That does seem odd. Is it a pre-order or a book that has already been released? Sometimes my library will put pre-orders up so users can get on the waiting list but then they don't actually go active with the book for a day or two after the release date.

10-11-2011, 01:48 PM	#3
Blossom Treasure Seeker Posts: 18,708 Karma: 26026435 Join Date: Mar 2010 Device: Kobo HD Glo, Kindles, Kindle Fires, Andriod Devices	I've had that happen before. 21 days is the longest on my local library. Sometimes I notice there is someone else in line but it doesn't show on the wait list. I've also have been 6th in line and suddenly the book is ready for me to check out. That one I've yet to figure out.

10-11-2011, 01:52 PM	#4
xari Kindle Obsessed. Posts: 96 Karma: 6436 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Here and There. Device: K3, K4, Kindle Fire.	Is your library part of a consortium (for Overdrive use)? If so, maybe one of the other libraries in the consortium paid extra to allow their patrons the choice of a 3-week lending period. Not positive that that's the case, just putting forth the possibility. In any case, I hope it becomes available for you soon!

10-11-2011, 03:11 PM	#10
abookreader Wizard Posts: 1,516 Karma: 2567610 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Kindles - Keyboard, Fire, 2-US, iPhone, iPAD	I jump far ahead in the list sometimes because my library (which is part of a consortium) buys Advantage licenses of some of the most popular books. So I'll see that I'm 21st on the waiting list but as soon as the Advantage license gets freed up I'll get that one. Doesn't sound like that's happening with the OP though. If he's first, then he should get the book at the end of the maximum check-out window one way or another.

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