Digital membership to Singapore Public Library

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by tech_au

I just joined and used Firefox and didn't get asked date of birth (weird).
It took me a little while to find an ebook I wanted to read that was available. I suspect this is going to get worse as more people join. How does the reservation system work? Do you get an email when the reserved ebook is ready to be downloaded ?

Yes, it has worked in that way for me.

[kiwipippa]

Thanks so much for this. I signed up a couple of weeks ago and heard nothing back. I assumed it hadn't worked because I wasn't resident in Singapore - but I just tried logging in as you suggested and it worked.

[jehane]

Originally Posted by unboggling

jehane, have you tried returning books to your library early even though they said you can't? In Adobe Digital Editions, in library view, when I put cursor over a particular title, an arrow appears to the left of that item. Clicking that arrow gives some options, one of which is "return borrowed item." If that is greyed out you can't, though I haven't seen that happen yet. If it's not greyed out, try returning a book early, wait a few minutes, then go look at your account at that library to see if it disappeared from your digital loan list. If it disappeared, you *can* return early. If it didn't disappear, oh well.

Yes, that did work. Thank you! (I had to finish the book I was reading before I could test it!)

[Loosheesh]

I now have access to 3 digital libraries; here's a quick comparison chart I put together:

Brooklyn Public Library
# Checkouts - 15
# Holds - 4
Hold expires after - 3 days
# Items in eCart at once[*] - 17
Lending Period [**] - 7 to 14 days

Free Library of Philadelphia
# Checkouts - 10
# Holds - 10
Hold expires after - 3 days
# Items in eCart at once[*] - 12
Lending Period [**] - 7 to 21 days

National Library Board (Singapore Public Library)
# Checkouts - 4
# Holds - 2
Hold expires after - 2 days
# Items in eCart at once[*] - 4
Lending Period [**] - 7 to 21 days

* for all libraries, items in the eCart are removed if not checked out after 30
minutes

**lending periods may vary by book

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by thaigreg

Hey kindlekitten,

Do you have access to the Seattle Public Library? They have over 20,000 ebooks you can access.

Greg

possibly. I haven't pursued it as my TBR pile on my kindle is quite extensive

[mbelec]

What a great option this is; I just joined and you can use your login immediately. One question, how do you check the items out once they're in your cart? I don't see a download button or anything. Maybe I'm missing it?

[Loosheesh]

Originally Posted by mbelec

One question, how do you check the items out once they're in your cart?

Once in your eCart, click "Proceed to Checkout"; you'll be taken to a new page where you "Confirm Checkout". Then another new page where you click the "Download" button under the book image.

[Valhalla]

I don't seem to have access anymore. At first it didn't recognise my password. I then reset my password but when I try to go to Overdrive it tells me I am not authorised to do this outside the library. Anyone else having problems?

Thanks

[Loosheesh]

Valhalla, you can only access the Digital Catalogue - the Log In button is to the upper left.

[Valhalla]

Originally Posted by Loosheesh

Valhalla, you can only access the Digital Catalogue - the Log In button is to the upper left.

That's better! There no longer seems to be a direct link to the digital catalog on their home page. I think that's what caused me the problem.

Thanks for your help.

[John K]

Originally Posted by Loosheesh

Once in your eCart, click "Proceed to Checkout"; you'll be taken to a new page where you "Confirm Checkout". Then another new page where you click the "Download" button under the book image.

Also, it might help to understand that you will be downloading a tiny acsm file at this point. mbelec, I see that you have Sony readers. If you use their library software, opening the acsm file will start that program to download the actual book. For people who don't have or don't like the Sony program, Adobe Digital Editions is available free and can be set up to download the book when you open the acsm file.

[wyndslash]

actually, when it comes to singapore i don't think i want to mess with them xD

[wyndslash]

i might just ask my sister to register for me. she's a permanent resident in singapore.

[Mortis]

Originally Posted by wyndslash

actually, when it comes to singapore i don't think i want to mess with them xD

just follow the instructions and its very easy, I just made up a passport number.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by Mortis

just follow the instructions and its very easy, I just made up a passport number.

I have a real problem with just making up a number. Isn't it illegal? It seems to me a much more potentially serious offense than stripping DRM from a book one has purchased.

Neither do I wish to give Singapore my actual passport number. So ... no Singapore library for me.