changes in ebook checkout policy at the Philadelphia Free Library, effective Dec 17

sufue · 12-18-2013, 11:44 PM

The Philadelphia Free Library, which I believe many folks in MR pay the non-resident yearly fee to be able to use, has just changed its e-book checkout policies, per this blog post from Dec 17.

Of importance to many will likely be the reduction in titles you can have checked out at one time from 10 to 6. The "shortly" referred to in the blog post has already happened. When I logged in to check out a book just now, Dec 18, my limit already shows as 6.

Quote:

EBook Loan Changes
By Anne L.
Tue, December 17, 2013

We are delighted that OverDrive ebook circulation continues to grow -- a 33% increase in use over this same time a year ago-- and we anticipate continued growth. This great increase comes at a time when the Free Library's materials budget is flat and some popular ebook titles have long waits. To ensure everyone has more access we will be changing two aspects of our Overdrive ebook policy shortly:

The loan period will now be 14 days for all OverDrive formats. If there are no holds on your item, you can renew it (or put a hold on it); and you can still return items before they are due.

The number of OverDrive items that can be checked out at the same time will be six (6).

We hope this makes it possible for more customers to have access to ebooks.

Thank you for being a valued customer of the Free Library of Philadelphia.

link: http://libwww.freelibrary.org/blog/i...fm?postid=1893

ucfgrad93 · 12-18-2013, 11:53 PM

I think that 6 at a time is reasonable.

eschwartz · 12-19-2013, 12:02 AM

You used to be able to get 10???

Well, even 6 is still more than my library. Count your blessings.

chilady1 · 12-19-2013, 12:36 AM

Orange County Public library in Florida allows 20 at a time.

eschwartz · 12-19-2013, 12:54 AM

Technically I can get 2*3 at home, 6*8 at school, and 1*5 from a random location, if you count all the library cards I have of friends. With permission of course. formula=cards*limit. That would be 59 books at a time. So I guess I'm all right really.

eschwartz · 12-19-2013, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Technically I can get 2*3 at home, 8*6 at school, and 1*5 from a random location, if you count all the library cards I have of friends. With permission of course. formula=cards*limit. That would be 59 books at a time. So I guess I'm all right really.

And I could get more easily, but at 59 I think it's enough and at this point it's just not worth the effort.

Unless I can get from a fourth system.

Ripplinger · 12-19-2013, 12:58 AM

That's livable for me, 10 was a luxury since my local library only allows 6 checkouts and 3 holds (the 3 holds I think is just horrid since we can have wait lists with 400 people before you).

On another note about the Free Library of Philadelphia, does anyone know if they still allow free access for out-of-state seniors? I can no longer find any reference to it on their site.

Blossom · 12-19-2013, 02:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

That's livable for me, 10 was a luxury since my local library only allows 6 checkouts and 3 holds (the 3 holds I think is just horrid since we can have wait lists with 400 people before you).

On another note about the Free Library of Philadelphia, does anyone know if they still allow free access for out-of-state seniors? I can no longer find any reference to it on their site.

No they do not. At $50 a year for 6 books at a time that's would make me not renew if they ever take away my free library card I wont be renewing. Now since I get it free 6 is okay they have such a limited selection anyway.

Kumabjorn · 12-19-2013, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilady1

Orange County Public library in Florida allows 20 at a time.

Does it allow non-residents loan privilleges?

Ripplinger · 12-19-2013, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blossom

No they do not. At $50 a year for 6 books at a time that's would make me not renew if they ever take away my free library card I wont be renewing. Now since I get it free 6 is okay they have such a limited selection anyway.

That's a bummer. I got a card in my husband's name, I can't remember if there was an expiration date on it or not, and I can't find the card. And like you, I wouldn't pay the $50 either for 6 books, especially since I do have access to my own library here, just longer wait times.

Blossom · 12-19-2013, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ripplinger

That's a bummer. I got a card in my husband's name, I can't remember if there was an expiration date on it or not, and I can't find the card. And like you, I wouldn't pay the $50 either for 6 books, especially since I do have access to my own library here, just longer wait times.

As far as I know I don't think the free cards expire. They however could be revoked at any time.

Canuck_in_Japan · 12-19-2013, 03:50 AM

If that cuts down on longer wait times then I would be all for it. Heck, four is more than enough in my opinion. My problem is not having too few checkouts available but rather having to get on long waiting lists for books I want to borrow.

HarryT · 12-19-2013, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eschwartz

Technically I can get 2*3 at home, 6*8 at school, and 1*5 from a random location, if you count all the library cards I have of friends. With permission of course.

Do you have the library's permission to use your friends' cards? With my library, using someone else's account is not allowed.

shalym · 12-19-2013, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Do you have the library's permission to use your friends' cards? With my library, using someone else's account is not allowed.

Hmm...I don't know about this particular case, but I know that at my library there is no policy on using other people's cards--I really don't think they care who uses the card. Why would they care, and how could they enforce such a policy?

Shari

Ripplinger · 12-19-2013, 08:49 AM

At our library you better believe they care who is using the card they issued to you. You have to bring in a photo ID and proof of your address to get your card. They need to know who has their books, who to bill for late fees if you don't return a book (physical books from the library that is). The policy on ebooks is no different. Only the person who was issued the card is allowed to use it and borrow any books with it.

Of course there is probably no way they could enforce it for ebooks, unless both of you borrow a book with IPs across country. But I'm going to guess that they probably don't check IPs to even notice that.

But I'm pretty certain that all libraries who issue cards have the same policy about not letting others use it.

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12-18-2013, 11:53 PM	#2
ucfgrad93 Wizard Posts: 2,372 Karma: 9026681 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Colorado Device: Kindle Paperwhite 2nd Gen	I think that 6 at a time is reasonable.

12-19-2013, 12:02 AM	#3
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)	You used to be able to get 10??? Well, even 6 is still more than my library. Count your blessings.

12-19-2013, 12:36 AM	#4
chilady1 I devour books! Posts: 789 Karma: 1285226 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: iPad Air, Kindle 3/Kobo Aura HD, iPhone 6	Orange County Public library in Florida allows 20 at a time.

12-19-2013, 12:54 AM	#5
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)	Technically I can get 23 at home, 68 at school, and 15 from a random location, if you count all the library cards I have of friends. With permission of course. formula=cardslimit. That would be 59 books at a time. So I guess I'm all right really.

12-19-2013, 12:58 AM	#7
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,587 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	That's livable for me, 10 was a luxury since my local library only allows 6 checkouts and 3 holds (the 3 holds I think is just horrid since we can have wait lists with 400 people before you). On another note about the Free Library of Philadelphia, does anyone know if they still allow free access for out-of-state seniors? I can no longer find any reference to it on their site.

12-19-2013, 03:50 AM	#12
Canuck_in_Japan Wizard Posts: 1,476 Karma: 14328611 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tokyo, Japan Device: Aura, Aura H2O, Kindle PW3	If that cuts down on longer wait times then I would be all for it. Heck, four is more than enough in my opinion. My problem is not having too few checkouts available but rather having to get on long waiting lists for books I want to borrow.

12-19-2013, 08:49 AM	#15
Ripplinger 350 Hoarder Posts: 3,587 Karma: 8281267 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Midwest USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Kobo Glo & Glo HD, PW2	At our library you better believe they care who is using the card they issued to you. You have to bring in a photo ID and proof of your address to get your card. They need to know who has their books, who to bill for late fees if you don't return a book (physical books from the library that is). The policy on ebooks is no different. Only the person who was issued the card is allowed to use it and borrow any books with it. Of course there is probably no way they could enforce it for ebooks, unless both of you borrow a book with IPs across country. But I'm going to guess that they probably don't check IPs to even notice that. But I'm pretty certain that all libraries who issue cards have the same policy about not letting others use it.