Digital membership to Singapore Public Library

[baliantas]

Originally Posted by soondai

...
Go to the library in Adobe Digital Editions and click on the upper left corner of the title you want to return (there's a little button there). Select, Return Item.

I think you need to be logged into the library site when you do it for it to register as returned.

Thanks! That worked, even without being logged in on the website...

[1611mac]

Originally Posted by iandix

-snip-
but don't return too many too soon as they will lock your account for a few days

good info.. thanks

[Ryvyan]

Just want to say that as someone born and bred here in Singapore, I have only been able to borrow ebooks successfully ONCE. And that was after a month's wait. The other ebooks are still on the waiting list to be released, and I have given up. COMPLETELY.

Not saying it is wrong for non-Singaporeans to sign up and borrow (because it is the National Library Board's problem), but priority should pretty much be for Singapore citizens and permanent residents (with proper card numbers) as there are hardly any other options out there for ebooks.

FYI, iTunes still does not have a presence here. I can use VPN to purchase books off B&N (I have a Nook) but why should I pay when my library has it? Oh wait, their copy is not available yet.

Right now, it's easier to download a book *elsewhere*, or pay for it because the library's copy is out there. I could go sign up with a foreign library for access to ebooks if they permit it, but it does not mean I should do it.

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p/s: I'm not (very) bitter about the abuse of system, just resigned to the strange ways of the library. I do love them so dearly; libraries are plenty on this island of ours, with an amazing physical books and DVDs collection. But they are still physical books.

And they are purchased with OUR taxpayers' money. Permanent residents are also required to pay a sum of money to sign up with the library for their physical books collection.

It's kind of unfair, can you guys see that?

[Ryvyan]

Originally Posted by Catlady

It's not that I really think the Singapore secret police are going to track me down if I sign up. But still, it feels like fraud to use their library system without complying with their rules. I'd be depriving someone else who has legitimate access, since the library can only circulate a limited number of copies of a given book. My morals won't stretch that far.

Precisely! Thank you.

I know the membership is open to everyone, but to lie about your passport number is silly/stupid. If you can't give that number away, you don't get the right to sign up and borrow ebooks, depriving legitimate users from access to that one book.

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And guys, sorry for bursting your bubble, but the Singapore Police have better things to do than to track your library records. The country may seem a little crazy on things like chewing gum**, but I cannot apologise because some of the laws are in place to protect us. I cannot apologise because their presence made it safe for me, a female in 20s, to walk alone ANYWHERE at night (even along the increasingly-sleazy Red Light District).

Btw, wyndslash, theft is never accepted ANYWHERE, not even as a joke. Putting something in your pocket and bringing it out of the store, then getting caught for it and saying "oops it was a joke!!"? Can you please enlighten me on the countries that would not treat that as a theft case immediately?

If one cannot accept that, why are you guys still signing up for the e-resources? If the Singapore Police is truly crazy about wanting to catch you, don't you think your IP address is sufficient?

FFS, people. Now I'm mad. I'm trying not to offend here, but really??

-

** You can still bring some chewing gum in, but not in bulk. You can consume it here, but not SELL it.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by Ryvyan

Precisely! Thank you.

I know the membership is open to everyone, but to lie about your passport number is silly/stupid. If you can't give that number away, you don't get the right to sign up and borrow ebooks, depriving legitimate users from access to that one book.

There's a small problem here. I gave my right passport number when I created the account, but it's not valid anymore (I renewed my passport and the number changed). So, what's my situation now?

[Asawi]

Originally Posted by Terisa de morgan

There's a small problem here. I gave my right passport number when I created the account, but it's not valid anymore (I renewed my passport and the number changed). So, what's my situation now?

I too have a new passport with a new number (I gave my real name and number when signing up), but I can't imagine that is a problem at all.
I think it's very generous of Singapore to allow us to use their resources totally free of charge and I do hope people don't abuse the system.

(I do wish they had the option to choose shorter lending times though. Even though early return is possible, I think many don't bother with it. So they still keep the books for the full 21 days even after it's finished, making wait times longer for others.)

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by Ryvyan

Not saying it is wrong for non-Singaporeans to sign up and borrow (because it is the National Library Board's problem), but priority should pretty much be for Singapore citizens and permanent residents (with proper card numbers) as there are hardly any other options out there for ebooks.

The problem is that non-residents are not supposed to have Overdrive access off-site but there is a malfunction somewhere that enables them to do so.

[1611mac]

Originally Posted by Ryvyan

Just want to say that as someone born and bred here in Singapore, I have only been able to borrow ebooks successfully ONCE. And that was after a month's wait. The other ebooks are still on the waiting list to be released, and I have given up. COMPLETELY.

Not saying it is wrong for non-Singaporeans to sign up and borrow (because it is the National Library Board's problem), but priority should pretty much be for Singapore citizens and permanent residents (with proper card numbers) as there are hardly any other options out there for ebooks.

FYI, iTunes still does not have a presence here. I can use VPN to purchase books off B&N (I have a Nook) but why should I pay when my library has it? Oh wait, their copy is not available yet.

Right now, it's easier to download a book *elsewhere*, or pay for it because the library's copy is out there. I could go sign up with a foreign library for access to ebooks if they permit it, but it does not mean I should do it.

-


p/s: I'm not (very) bitter about the abuse of system, just resigned to the strange ways of the library. I do love them so dearly; libraries are plenty on this island of ours, with an amazing physical books and DVDs collection. But they are still physical books.

And they are purchased with OUR taxpayers' money. Permanent residents are also required to pay a sum of money to sign up with the library for their physical books collection.

It's kind of unfair, can you guys see that?

Thanks for another perspective and providing your point of view. Interesting...

[Barty]

Ryvyan: I agree completely.

I'm happy to be able to access it, but I think this loophole will be closed eventually. It's very odd what they are doing. It's unclear if this is generosity of spirit or just cluelessness.

[ScalyFreak]

Since the library is letting us sign up, any complaints should probably be taken to them, not to us.

To be honest, it's a little sad that only a small number of libraries across the world have realized that on the internet, geographical limitations do not apply. I appreciate the fact that the Singapore library lets me sign up and borrow from them, since the ebook selection at my local library is pathetically small.

[Soldim]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

I appreciate the fact that the Singapore library lets me sign up and borrow from them, since the ebook selection at my local library is pathetically small.

Its the same for me. And, I've even been more surprised that the books I like to read have become available in no time. I had expected weeks of waiting time for some books that only took four to six days before I received the notification. I'll have to read quite fanatically to finish my the current books on long before they'll expire

[Ryvyan]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

Since the library is letting us sign up, any complaints should probably be taken to them, not to us.

I acknowledge their horrible cluelessness (as mentioned by Barty, they are definitely not that generous) and blame them entirely in this situation.

Terisa de morgan, you can just continue using your account to be honest. You can sign up in good faith, and use the account even after your passport number is changed, but you are one of those who did not attempt to falsify information for "security" and "privacy" sake. That is something the system needs to have changed.

I need to clarify: my rant was directed at those who abuse the current system. It was directed at those who used the Singapore Police as an excuse to falsify information on a service that is public and free. It was targeted at those who speak badly about the Singapore Police without living here.

This is my country and it is one of the safest in the world, provided you don't do something stupid. Duh.

--

I must admit here that when I was in the library yesterday, I was tempted to pick up a feedback form and complain about the abuse of system anonymously. But I thought I can do it online since, I don't care if they track me at all because the Singapore Police is not that free. [/snark]

p/s: I know I need to let up on the snark, but I can't.

[Barty]

When I signed up, I used my real name and passport. I waited for them to do some kind of verification, though I had no idea how they would do it, as I'm not a Singapore citizen nor have I ever been there. I heard nothing from them and thought oh well, I guess that was a waste of time. Then just out of curiosity I logged in and wouldn't you know it it worked! Huh? I don't think they even verified my email ( maybe they didn't ask for an email, I don't remember)

[tech_au]

I am one of those foreign members who is very glad to have access to the library as there is no local ebook llibrary services around.
I can't see what the problem is with finding a book to borrow as there are around 20000 fiction titles and only a few thousand are out at one time. I suspect that is the most recent ones. Surely there is something in the remaining 17000 that people would be interested in.
I did see the latest Lee Child book with 18 people on the waiting list. If you really want to read that just buy it or read something else
I noticed that they have now increased the borrowing limit to 12 items.
Gees, I read a book a week so it seems a little wasteful and just encourages people to checkout books they are not going to have time to read unless you are a pretty good speed reader

[birdbrainbb]

Originally Posted by tech_au

I noticed that they have now increased the borrowing limit to 12 items.
Gees, I read a book a week so it seems a little wasteful and just encourages people to checkout books they are not going to have time to read unless you are a pretty good speed reader

Eek!! So they did! Yay! I'm one of the ones who reads library books pretty quickly, so having a bigger limit is great for me. Means I don't have to download new books every week, haha.