AUS & NZ Residents (& other non-US residents) - Free Library Of Philadelphia Sign Up.

Almas · 08-04-2010, 07:59 PM

I know there are threads discussing the Free Library Of Philadelphia, but I just wanted to relay my experience in getting a membership there.

I live in Australia, and libraries over here either do not offer e-books or have a very limited collection on offer. I contacted the Free Library after I came across posts on here that said that non-US residents can become members. My first query about a couple of months ago went unanswered.

However, I was able to get the details of someone who worked at the help desk and emailed her directly. She was the best help that I could get. She followed up on my query, and told me that I could pay via International Money Order. When I asked at Australia Post for an International Money Order, they told me that they had stopped making them a while ago. So, I contacted the person again, and she told me that she will look into it and get back to me. And she did. She said that I can pay via credit card, but I will need to send her a filled out application form first. So, I filled out the form, scanned it, and emailed it to her. She was able to create my account and send me my log in details via email. I was able to log in, and the first message I received was that I had an outstanding fee of $15 for a library card. I was able to pay via credit card and now I have online access to the Free Library.

The point of this story? I know there are frustrated reader holds here in Australia and NZ (and other non-US residents) who are trying to find libraries to borrow from. Join the Free Library Of Philadelphia. They have a decent e-book collection and signing up was really a breeze.

I have asked my contact if there is a procedure that non-US residents can go through to sign up, other than everyone going through her, which could be a hassle. I will update once she gets back to me - INFO ADDED BELOW DOTTED LINE.

So, people in Aus & NZ (and other places in the world that isn't the US) do not despair

------------------------------------

She did reply my email and I'll just copy/paste what she said:

"As I don’t know all the procedures, I would advise people you know to print the form and mail it with a check or to use the “Ask a Librarian” link if they need to pay by credit card."

Hope this helps guys!

Solicitous · 08-04-2010, 08:49 PM

Is the $15 library card fee a 'one off' or an annual renewal? I am keen on this, especially given that I don't have access to a digital lending library (I'm in Tassie, we may be the first to have NBN rollout but quite pointless if there is nothing to access).

KarenH · 08-04-2010, 09:06 PM

The $15 is an annual fee - when I received my card it had an expiration date handwritten on it.

mikaelalind · 08-05-2010, 04:37 AM

I am definitely signing up, since 15 dollar is nothing compared to what I spend on books. ( Which is too much.)

But, I think I will wait until september. * MUCH* cheaper to send it from NY than Sweden. *coughcough*.

nohmi2 · 08-05-2010, 05:25 AM

Wow! I'm going to be waiting with anticipation.

I spend way too much on books.

Cheers.

viviena · 08-05-2010, 08:17 AM

Oh, interesting. I'd be keen to see her response, I think I'll be checking this website out. Wondering if their staff would be flummoxed by a surge of interest from antipodeans though.

columbus · 08-05-2010, 12:24 PM

As they use Overdrive for their delivery system, it will be interesting to see if the Overdrive Geographical restrictions applied to purchased books apply to library downloads also.

Please keep us updated.

SkyDream · 08-05-2010, 12:34 PM

Try this one to register for an account : Account

MaggieScratch · 08-05-2010, 01:11 PM

The library is probably appreciative of these extra fees--the city really cut back on what it was giving them, and threatening to close branches.

Almas · 08-05-2010, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solicitous

Is the $15 library card fee a 'one off' or an annual renewal? I am keen on this, especially given that I don't have access to a digital lending library (I'm in Tassie, we may be the first to have NBN rollout but quite pointless if there is nothing to access).

It's an annual fee

Almas · 08-05-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nohmi2

Wow! I'm going to be waiting with anticipation.

I spend way too much on books.

Cheers.

Me too! I was surprised that they took non-US residents. I had to provide all sorts of identification when I wanted to join my local library, and yet it was much easier to join one that was overseas!

Almas · 08-05-2010, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by columbus

As they use Overdrive for their delivery system, it will be interesting to see if the Overdrive Geographical restrictions applied to purchased books apply to library downloads also.

Please keep us updated.

I've been able to download books that I haven't been able to buy because of geographical restrictions. The rules would be different for borrowed books because you can't really copy them and after the lending period expires, you can't view the book anymore. So you never really get to keep a copy.

Almas · 08-05-2010, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viviena

Oh, interesting. I'd be keen to see her response, I think I'll be checking this website out. Wondering if their staff would be flummoxed by a surge of interest from antipodeans though.

Maybe if there is a surge, it might get them into thinking about making out a special application system for overseas people!

FlorenceArt · 08-06-2010, 06:02 AM

So, how does it work? It looks like most books are in ePub format with Adobe DRM, is that right? Do you download them through ADE, as you would for a purchased book?

I'm a little reluctant to try it, as I have my Opus set to read Mobi books. I do buy epubs but then I have to liberate and convert them. I don't feel guilty doing that for a book I bought, but for a library loan, I don't know...

Almas · 08-06-2010, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlorenceArt

So, how does it work? It looks like most books are in ePub format with Adobe DRM, is that right? Do you download them trhough ADE, as you would for a purchased book?

Yup, that's exactly right!

08-04-2010, 07:59 PM	#1
Almas Addict Posts: 330 Karma: 4099 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Brisbane, Australia Device: Kindle Touch; Sony PRS-600	AUS & NZ Residents (& other non-US residents) - Free Library Of Philadelphia Sign Up. I know there are threads discussing the Free Library Of Philadelphia, but I just wanted to relay my experience in getting a membership there. I live in Australia, and libraries over here either do not offer e-books or have a very limited collection on offer. I contacted the Free Library after I came across posts on here that said that non-US residents can become members. My first query about a couple of months ago went unanswered. However, I was able to get the details of someone who worked at the help desk and emailed her directly. She was the best help that I could get. She followed up on my query, and told me that I could pay via International Money Order. When I asked at Australia Post for an International Money Order, they told me that they had stopped making them a while ago. So, I contacted the person again, and she told me that she will look into it and get back to me. And she did. She said that I can pay via credit card, but I will need to send her a filled out application form first. So, I filled out the form, scanned it, and emailed it to her. She was able to create my account and send me my log in details via email. I was able to log in, and the first message I received was that I had an outstanding fee of $15 for a library card. I was able to pay via credit card and now I have online access to the Free Library. The point of this story? I know there are frustrated reader holds here in Australia and NZ (and other non-US residents) who are trying to find libraries to borrow from. Join the Free Library Of Philadelphia. They have a decent e-book collection and signing up was really a breeze. I have asked my contact if there is a procedure that non-US residents can go through to sign up, other than everyone going through her, which could be a hassle. I will update once she gets back to me - INFO ADDED BELOW DOTTED LINE. So, people in Aus & NZ (and other places in the world that isn't the US) do not despair ------------------------------------ She did reply my email and I'll just copy/paste what she said: "As I don’t know all the procedures, I would advise people you know to print the form and mail it with a check or to use the “Ask a Librarian” link if they need to pay by credit card." Hope this helps guys! Last edited by Almas; 08-06-2010 at 07:48 PM. Reason: Adding more info.

08-06-2010, 06:02 AM	#14
FlorenceArt High Priestess Posts: 5,761 Karma: 5042529 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Montreuil sous bois, France Device: iPad Pro 9.7, iPhone 6 Plus	So, how does it work? It looks like most books are in ePub format with Adobe DRM, is that right? Do you download them through ADE, as you would for a purchased book? I'm a little reluctant to try it, as I have my Opus set to read Mobi books. I do buy epubs but then I have to liberate and convert them. I don't feel guilty doing that for a book I bought, but for a library loan, I don't know... Last edited by FlorenceArt; 08-06-2010 at 06:59 AM. Reason: typo!

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08-04-2010, 08:49 PM	#2
Solicitous Wizard Posts: 1,434 Karma: 1525776 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: TAS, Australia Device: Astak Pocket Pro (Black), 2 x Kindle WiFi (Graphite), iPod Touch 4G	Is the $15 library card fee a 'one off' or an annual renewal? I am keen on this, especially given that I don't have access to a digital lending library (I'm in Tassie, we may be the first to have NBN rollout but quite pointless if there is nothing to access).

08-04-2010, 09:06 PM	#3
KarenH Addict Posts: 281 Karma: 37762 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NW Washington State, USA Device: K3	The $15 is an annual fee - when I received my card it had an expiration date handwritten on it.

08-05-2010, 04:37 AM	#4
mikaelalind Fanatic Posts: 590 Karma: 788068 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Sweden Device: Sony PRS 505, Cybook Odessey	I am definitely signing up, since 15 dollar is nothing compared to what I spend on books. ( Which is too much.) But, I think I will wait until september. * MUCH* cheaper to send it from NY than Sweden. coughcough.

08-05-2010, 05:25 AM	#5
nohmi2 Pensively observing. Posts: 1,758 Karma: 12675456 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Varied.	Wow! I'm going to be waiting with anticipation. I spend way too much on books. Cheers.

08-05-2010, 08:17 AM	#6
viviena Evangelist Posts: 412 Karma: 520610 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canberra, Australia Device: Currently Kobo Clara HD and Aura One, iPad	Oh, interesting. I'd be keen to see her response, I think I'll be checking this website out. Wondering if their staff would be flummoxed by a surge of interest from antipodeans though.

08-05-2010, 12:24 PM	#7
columbus Wizard Posts: 999 Karma: 5487540 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: In my own imagination. Device: Sony Prs 650, 505	As they use Overdrive for their delivery system, it will be interesting to see if the Overdrive Geographical restrictions applied to purchased books apply to library downloads also. Please keep us updated.

08-05-2010, 12:34 PM	#8
SkyDream Wizard Posts: 1,377 Karma: 9400 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Europe Device: PRS-650, iPod touch 4G, iPad 3	Try this one to register for an account : Account

08-05-2010, 01:11 PM	#9
MaggieScratch Has got to the black veil Posts: 542 Karma: 2144168 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Southeastern Pennsylvania Device: Kobo Aura One, Kindle Paperwhite 2	The library is probably appreciative of these extra fees--the city really cut back on what it was giving them, and threatening to close branches.