ereader for library?

[meeera]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

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

Sure - I was agreeing with you by saying that all current Kobos will work without sideloading, which is the key issue in this thread, and providing a list.

[Tarana]

I think it's best to call your library and talk to the tech specialist. Since my library switched to Libby and RG Digital, you pretty much have to use a tablet for e-downloads unless you have a computer.

[ottischwenk]

For something like this I can recommend an EInk Android device - but there is always an internet connection needed.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Tarana

I think it's best to call your library and talk to the tech specialist. Since my library switched to Libby and RG Digital, you pretty much have to use a tablet for e-downloads unless you have a computer.

Her library has overdrive.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Tarana

I think it's best to call your library and talk to the tech specialist. Since my library switched to Libby and RG Digital, you pretty much have to use a tablet for e-downloads unless you have a computer.

What if I can't use Libby?
If you aren't able to use Libby or libbyapp.com, you can use the original OverDrive app or your library's OverDrive website to borrow digital titles from your library instead. These alternatives have the same ebooks and audiobooks as Libby, but offer slightly different features and device compatibility.

So Libby is really still just Overdrive it seems which (IMHO) is very good.

[John F]

Originally Posted by Tarana

I think it's best to call your library and talk to the tech specialist. Since my library switched to Libby and RG Digital, you pretty much have to use a tablet for e-downloads unless you have a computer.

I just took a look at Libby. I could see her using something like this on a Kobo.

My initial thought was that a tablet wuld be a turn-off for her, while a dedicated ereader might be acceptable.

This got me to thinking of a tablet. The drawbacks I see are battery life, weight, and either IOS or Android.

Do you need a wifi connection with Libby just to read? I turned off wifi on my tablet, and turned a few pages and it worked, however, I wasn't able to access the dictionary.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by John F

I just took a look at Libby. I could see her using something like this on a Kobo.

My initial thought was that a tablet wuld be a turn-off for her, while a dedicated ereader might be acceptable.

This got me to thinking of a tablet. The drawbacks I see are battery life, weight, and either IOS or Android.

Do you need a wifi connection with Libby just to read? I turned off wifi on my tablet, and turned a few pages and it worked, however, I wasn't able to access the dictionary.

The tablet I mentioned before works with a cell service. So she could get a cell plan and use the tablet that way. You can get a Samsung tablet that supports cell service for a lot less then an iPad. Plus, she'd have no trouble with email and could use Libby. That means she could also borrow audiobooks if she wanted.

[John F]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

The tablet I mentioned before works with a cell service. So she could get a cell plan and use the tablet that way. You can get a Samsung tablet that supports cell service for a lot less then an iPad. Plus, she'd have no trouble with email and could use Libby. That means she could also borrow audiobooks if she wanted.

Thanks for the suggestion, but she does not want to deal with email. She will not want to pay for a cell plan, would she have to pay extra for a cell plan? It looks like Libby has notifications, so she (and me or someone else) wouldn't need to worry about email notifications. Although, since she would be going to a library to use wifi, maybe notifications and email are a moot point.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by John F

Thanks for the suggestion, but she does not want to deal with email. She will not want to pay for a cell plan, would she have to pay extra for a cell plan? It looks like Libby has notifications, so she (and me or someone else) wouldn't need to worry about email notifications. Although, since she would be going to a library to use wifi, maybe notifications and email are a moot point.

With Overdrive, you do need an email address. If you don't mind checking her email when you check yours, then that would solve that problem and you could let her know when something she put on reserve is now available.

As for cell service on the tablet, yes you do have to pay for a data plan. I was thinking about that because it would not need Internet service installed at home and it would work wherever cell service is available.

[John F]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

With Overdrive, you do need an email address. If you don't mind checking her email when you check yours, then that would solve that problem and you could let her know when something she put on reserve is now available.

As for cell service on the tablet, yes you do have to pay for a data plan. I was thinking about that because it would not need Internet service installed at home and it would work wherever cell service is available.

As I said, I would do initial setup. Once it is installed, it looks like libby would be ideal as I wouldn't need to monitor email. She likes visiting her library, so I don't see a problem with her losing the occasional hold.

And FWIW, when I installed libby, it didn't ask for my overdrive account or email address.

So at this point, let's not talk about email anymore, please.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by John F

It can't be "painful" to use. From all the reports I've read, the browsers on Kobo and Kindle are painful to use, so I would eliminate their use.

"Painful" in quotes because it's not exactly painful, but something akin to it (kind of like saying "a pain in the neck"). I don't often use the browsers in the Kindle (I don't know if I've ever used the one in the Kobo) but it's nice to have in a pinch and I have borrowed books for the Kindle this way. I also use the Tolino and PocketBook browsers for that purpose (and that's about the only reason I ever use any eReader browser). Since I have computer at home it's more to see if it can be done rather than a necessity. (Except for when I travel or am at the airport waiting for a plane, then I sometimes hook up my eReader with my phone's hotspot and download a book.)

[John F]

Originally Posted by rcentros

"Painful" in quotes because it's not exactly painful, but something akin to it (kind of like saying "a pain in the neck"). I don't often use the browsers in the Kindle (I don't know if I've ever used the one in the Kobo) but it's nice to have in a pinch and I have borrowed books for the Kindle this way. I also use the Tolino and PocketBook browsers for that purpose (and that's about the only reason I ever use any eReader browser). Since I have computer at home it's more to see if it can be done rather than a necessity. (Except for when I travel or am at the airport waiting for a plane, then I sometimes hook up my eReader with my phone's hotspot and download a book.)

Good thing you cleared up the "painful" definition, it was starting to spread through the inter webs that Kindles were physically painful to use.

She would not like a ereader that is either "painful" or painful.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by John F

Good thing you cleared up the "painful" definition, it was starting to spread through the inter webs that Kindles were physically painful to use.

She would not like a ereader that is either "painful" or painful.

Kobo/Kindle are not physically painful to use. But the web browsers in both can be painful to use.

[4691mls]

Originally Posted by John F

Do you need a wifi connection with Libby just to read? I turned off wifi on my tablet, and turned a few pages and it worked, however, I wasn't able to access the dictionary.

I have a Kobo Clara and also have the Kobo app on my phone. I just tried putting the phone in airplane mode and opened a book that was already in the Kobo app. The dictionary DOES work. (You are correct that dictionary won't work in the Overdrive or Libby app without a data connection.)

[tomsem]

Kobo is the only device that’s really set up to borrow from public library without some other device. It will need WiFi access to browse and download, however.

Another way would be to register a Kindle you your own account and use your Overdrive account and give that to her. She gives you a list of things to borrow and you borrow and send them to that Kindle. Just need to go by a McDonalds or Starbucks or library to hop on the WiFi there to download.

It’s been awhile since I did it, but it used to be possible on Kindle to use the web browser to go to overdrive.com and borrow books directly (you also have to login to amazon as part of that). But it was not very user friendly. I don’t know if it is still possible, there are many sites the web browser does not work with.