ereader for library? - Page 2

John F · 04-11-2021, 07:15 AM

So I see 3 possible problems.

1) Initial setup. I could do this, it would be a one time thing that I wouldn't mind doing. Crate an email account. A Kobo account. An overdrive account.

And I have faith that her library would help her out.

Let's say that 1) is solved.

2) Getting notifications that a hold is available for checkout. Overdrive used to have an auto checkout feature, but when I just looked on the website under settings, I didn't see it. The UI on the Kobo's doesn't allow for auto checkout?

She wouldn't be using/checking email, I assume she could check on the reader whether a hold is available and hold status (number of people in line)? So if she checked every couple of days, she would probably be fine. If I had too, hopefully one of her kids could monitor the email address and do the checkout, if they wouldn't I would do it.

3) How is the UI (for library use) on a Kobo? She will only be using the Kobo. If the UI is klunky or too slow, she will become frustrated and give up. She would be doing all browsing, holding, checking out, ... on the Kobo.

So, at this point, I would especially like to hear from people who are actually using their Kobos for library use. I do have a Forma, but haven't tried its library functionality.

ottischwenk · 04-11-2021, 07:33 AM

I don't use my Kobos - they are either defective or lying switched off in a basement shelf.

John F · 04-11-2021, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

I don't use my Kobos - they are either defective or lying switched off in a basement shelf.

Well, that was no help.

meeera · 04-11-2021, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John F

3) How is the UI (for library use) on a Kobo? She will only be using the Kobo. If the UI is klunky or too slow, she will become frustrated and give up. She would be doing all browsing, holding, checking out, ... on the Kobo.

So, at this point, I would especially like to hear from people who are actually using their Kobos for library use. I do have a Forma, but haven't tried its library functionality.

I don't find it painful, but I've been using computers for over forty years, so take this with all sorts of grains of salt.

John F · 04-11-2021, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

I don't find it painful, but I've been using computers for over forty years, so take this with all sorts of grains of salt.

Thanks for the opinion.

ottischwenk · 04-11-2021, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John F

Well, that was no help.

Or maybe you don't understand it either.
Kobos are quite incapable of dealing with libraries and the DRM used there.

meeera · 04-11-2021, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

Or maybe you don't understand it either.
Kobos are quite incapable of dealing with libraries and the DRM used there.

...except for the direct Overdrive integration, which works like a charm

John F · 04-11-2021, 09:11 AM

Well, I took a quick look on the Forma...

First, in case it helps someone else... Trying to setup overdrive, there was no option for Overdrive in settings. Turns out I had been shopping around on the Kobo site (from the computer) and my address was set to India. Once I set it back to the U.S., Overdrive showed up. Setup of Overdrive seems a little clunky. I needed to log in a couple of times, first through my overdrive account, it than asked me for a library, than asked me to log in to Overdrive again; my overdrive account was all setup previously with a library.

As far as the U.I, it may work.

If it was me, I would use a computer and not the ereader for browsing the library. To get to Just Added, you need to scroll down several times. Speed seems acceptable. Once you are there, only three books are displayed at a time. Personally, Just Added is what I browse the most, looking for new ebooks. And I don't care about "what is popular", I want to know what was added in date order. To do multiple scrolls and drop down a choice to view latest is a little tedious.

I've always found typing on the keyboard to be tedious, so doing searches becomes tedious.

I was able to view and cancel holds, although I'm not sure how to get to them consistently. I couldn't find them at first, than I found "View your public library holds" on the home screen. Later, I went back to the home screen, and the holds didn't appear; went back and forth several times trying to find holds, and it showed up on the home screen again.

My guess is that it would be 50% chance she would find it acceptable.

John F · 04-11-2021, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

Or maybe you don't understand it either.
Kobos are quite incapable of dealing with libraries and the DRM used there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

...except for the direct Overdrive integration, which works like a charm

First I thought ottischwenk was talking about Kobo's in general, which I didn't find helpful.

Than, it is about "quite incapable" with libraries, which doesn't seem right either as there is both on device support AND support through ADE.

meeera · 04-11-2021, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John F

If it was me, I would use a computer and not the ereader for browsing the library. To get to Just Added, you need to scroll down several times. Speed seems acceptable. Once you are there, only three books are displayed at a time. Personally, Just Added is what I browse the most, looking for new ebooks.

If she does ending greatly preferring a computer for browsing and choosing books, but she really likes the device otherwise: it would be entirely possible to have a fortnightly (or whatever) trip to the library to use their computers to browse and queue/hold/request books.

[and since ottischwenk by their own admission doesn't actually use a Kobo, you can do the appropriate thing with their opinion.]

John F · 04-11-2021, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

Or maybe you don't understand it either.
Kobos are quite incapable of dealing with libraries and the DRM used there.

And yet, I use library books on my Kobo all the time.

JSWolf · 04-11-2021, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ottischwenk

Or maybe you don't understand it either.
Kobos are quite incapable of dealing with libraries and the DRM used there.

That is so incorrect. Kobo can deal with the DRM used for ePub at Overdrive. I know my h2O does not have the Overdrive feature, but I can still read ePub from Overdrive with DRM. I would just have to side load.

meeera · 04-11-2021, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

That is so incorrect. Kobo can deal with the DRM used for ePub at Overdrive. I know my h2O does not have the Overdrive feature, but I can still read ePub from Overdrive with DRM. I would just have to side load.

That's a long-discontinued device, of course - the OP has already been advised that a current Kobo will do the job. The devices that work are Kobo Nia, Libra H2O, Forma, Aura ONE, Aura H2O Edition 2, Aura Edition 2, or Clara HD.

https://help.overdrive.com/en-us/2194.htm

Pajamaman · 04-11-2021, 09:40 AM

If you have access to her kobo or kindle account, you could buy the books she wants from the respective site and send them to her device. But she would have to log onto wifi to download them.

Anyway, sounds like paperbacks might suit her better.

JSWolf · 04-11-2021, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meeera

That's a long-discontinued device, of course - the OP has already been advised that a current Kobo will do the job. The devices that work are Kobo Nia, Libra H2O, Forma, Aura ONE, Aura H2O Edition 2, Aura Edition 2, or Clara HD.

https://help.overdrive.com/en-us/2194.htm

I was replying tot he post saying that Overdrive DRM will not work with Kobo.

04-11-2021, 09:40 AM	#29
Pajamaman Wizard Posts: 2,861 Karma: 10700629 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Canada Device: Onyx Nova	If you have access to her kobo or kindle account, you could buy the books she wants from the respective site and send them to her device. But she would have to log onto wifi to download them. Anyway, sounds like paperbacks might suit her better. Last edited by Pajamaman; 04-11-2021 at 09:45 AM.

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04-11-2021, 07:15 AM	#16
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,942 Karma: 70766125 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Clara 2E	So I see 3 possible problems. 1) Initial setup. I could do this, it would be a one time thing that I wouldn't mind doing. Crate an email account. A Kobo account. An overdrive account. And I have faith that her library would help her out. Let's say that 1) is solved. 2) Getting notifications that a hold is available for checkout. Overdrive used to have an auto checkout feature, but when I just looked on the website under settings, I didn't see it. The UI on the Kobo's doesn't allow for auto checkout? She wouldn't be using/checking email, I assume she could check on the reader whether a hold is available and hold status (number of people in line)? So if she checked every couple of days, she would probably be fine. If I had too, hopefully one of her kids could monitor the email address and do the checkout, if they wouldn't I would do it. 3) How is the UI (for library use) on a Kobo? She will only be using the Kobo. If the UI is klunky or too slow, she will become frustrated and give up. She would be doing all browsing, holding, checking out, ... on the Kobo. So, at this point, I would especially like to hear from people who are actually using their Kobos for library use. I do have a Forma, but haven't tried its library functionality.

04-11-2021, 07:33 AM	#17
ottischwenk Wizard Posts: 2,910 Karma: 3933245 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Salzburg AT Device: Bigme 3/3, Boox 4/14, Like-/Meebook 2/8, Tolino 1/10, Ki/Ko 0/8	I don't use my Kobos - they are either defective or lying switched off in a basement shelf.

04-11-2021, 09:11 AM	#23
John F Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,942 Karma: 70766125 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kobo Clara 2E	Well, I took a quick look on the Forma... First, in case it helps someone else... Trying to setup overdrive, there was no option for Overdrive in settings. Turns out I had been shopping around on the Kobo site (from the computer) and my address was set to India. Once I set it back to the U.S., Overdrive showed up. Setup of Overdrive seems a little clunky. I needed to log in a couple of times, first through my overdrive account, it than asked me for a library, than asked me to log in to Overdrive again; my overdrive account was all setup previously with a library. As far as the U.I, it may work. If it was me, I would use a computer and not the ereader for browsing the library. To get to Just Added, you need to scroll down several times. Speed seems acceptable. Once you are there, only three books are displayed at a time. Personally, Just Added is what I browse the most, looking for new ebooks. And I don't care about "what is popular", I want to know what was added in date order. To do multiple scrolls and drop down a choice to view latest is a little tedious. I've always found typing on the keyboard to be tedious, so doing searches becomes tedious. I was able to view and cancel holds, although I'm not sure how to get to them consistently. I couldn't find them at first, than I found "View your public library holds" on the home screen. Later, I went back to the home screen, and the holds didn't appear; went back and forth several times trying to find holds, and it showed up on the home screen again. My guess is that it would be 50% chance she would find it acceptable.

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