Public Library e-book downloads: Do you use yours?

[Lirael]

I like the idea of being able to borrow ebooks from a public library - I use the library all the time, and it would be nice to borrow them in such a convenient format.

Unfortunately, my library system's ebook collection seems to consist almost entirely of self-help books, which I'm not particularly interested in reading for pleasure.

If they *do* expand their electronic collection to include more fiction, I'll definitely be making use of it.

[MickeyC]

Originally Posted by NatCh

The only drawback I see to the public library e-books thing (I don't believe my local one offers them, but I haven't checked in a while), is that they tend to be in only one or two formats.

Nate, both Fairfax and DC libraries offer eBooks on loan. And you can get a library card from either library as long as you live in a nearby community. You just show them your driver's license. I've borrowed about a half dozen books from Fairfax (ePub) and enjoyed each one. They let you keep them for 21 days after which they disappear off your reader.

[DDHarriman]

Hi

Public libraries that have eBook projects are an outstanding thing.

To begin with, one must check (and upgrade it if one discovers that it’s not accurate) our own forum wiki: “EBook Lending Libraries” at https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/EBook_Lending_Libraries.

And also visit Overdrive’s list of library clients all over the world who should have (if its’ a public one at least) an eBook service, at http://search.overdrive.com.

Best regards,

[bbusybookworm]

I Wish our library offered eBook loans. Unfortunately, as mentioned earlier Only a couple of library's here in the UK do so. Still, as I'm able to buy eBooks from US sources I'm not too bothered by it.

My sisters the one who really finds the lack of consistency in availability of eBooks a pain. She lives in Edison, NJ, and unfortunately her local library doesn't offer eBooks, and is not planning anytime soon. While she could probably get a Out of state membership for the NY Public Library (Actually are they still offering that? I though they stopped it recently) being on a budget, its a little hard to justify $100 for a library card.

[Musicman]

I use the NY Public Library all the time - I usually look for the book there first. If they do not have it then I before I buy it.

[Tattncat]

Wow! I live in Salt Lake and after reading the other posts in this thread, do I feel spoiled. I use our library quite often. We have a fairly extensive eBook and audio book selection.

Have patience as early as a few months ago they had mostly audio books and darn few of those. At about the same time that Sony came out with their library link our library's eBook system began adding books exponentially. The only drawback I have run into is a dirth of older books.

[Leep]

I know from corresponding with other MR members that many in the U.S. are using the public libraries for ebooks. Fortunately some states have very liberal library card policies for getting library cards from different locals (i.e. if you have a California ID card, you can get a library card free from many libraries, or at a very modest fee at others.)

Of course the book format is a very tough issue which is why the decrypting scripts have been so popular. This, coupled with Calibre, gives access to the three different ebook types. Certainly not a perfect world, but very much better than having to purchase all your ebooks.

cheers

[jj2me]

Originally Posted by Detour

I see so many people asking where to get free e-books all over the place and so rarely are they pointed toward their own public library website....

Does anyone else here use that resource? Do you tell others to use theirs?

Detour,

The reality is that there are certain cities that offer ebooks through their local libraries. But that is not generally the case. Here in New Jersey, there are only about 30-35 towns and colleges, and about 4 county systems, that offer ebooks. My wild guess is that's a coverage rate of about 5% of the population. I'm in a big consortium of about 30 cities and it doesn't offer ebooks. My librarian said I'm the first to inquire, and she'll ask, but it's a feature that's unlikely to be added during these hard economic times.

So I think the reason you're seeing less talk about borrowing library ebooks is because they're only available to a lucky minority of people on this forum.

Originally Posted by Detour

Here's a link to see if your local library has access to OverDrive's resources:
http://search.overdrive.com/

That's a good link for audiobooks. A small subset will also offer ebooks. This is a better link if you want to Search only for OverDrive ebooks.

[Sydney's Mom]

What Leep said. Thanks to Mobileread, I am now using the library exactly like I used it before I started reading ebooks. I go online, search for books, and reserve them. The only difference is that instead of getting in my car to go pick up the book, I just download it.

The real issue was finding a library that offered ebooks. My small library does not, but was part of a larger group that allowed me to get pbooks from all of them. After a bit of searching, I found out that the Chicago Public Library offerred reciprocal privileges with the suburban libraries. I went to the library to get a card, and all they did was call my "home" library and verify I had no fines, and they issued a card. It was free! My suburban library card, where I support the library with several hundred dollars of property tax, charges $3. Anyway, I use the CPL all the time, and I love it. If I have questions (one month they did not order the romance novels I was used to getting) I email them, and they respond (they apologized and put in the order).

Libraries are even more important when they offer ebooks. Just like before, if you are willing to wait for the newest book, you can, otherwise you can purchase it.

[laurai]

Originally Posted by jj2me

Detour,

So I think the reason you're seeing less talk about borrowing library ebooks is because they're only available to a lucky minority of people on this forum.

That's a good link for audiobooks. A small subset will also offer ebooks. This is a better link if you want to Search only for OverDrive ebooks.

Detour's link, however, is international. 8-> (And it tells me that the closest library with ebooks to me is 700Kms away, in another state.) the sony link only applies to US searches.

[suecsi]

For UK users in the appropriate area, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is now offering Overdrive e-books and audio.

It is physically close to me but I don't live in the borough (wouldn't mind, can't afford) - so am hoping that the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames decides to follow suit.

I have updated the England section of the wiki on Overdrive lending libraries.

[jbjb]

Another one for UK users - I've not tried it yet, but it looks like Hertfordshire Libraries have started ebook lending (EPUB (Adobe DRM) and Mobi).

http://herts.lib.overdrive.com/

Looks like any UK resident can join, though you may have to visit a Hertfordshire library to get your PIN (it isn't 100% clear).

/JB

[mgrunk]

I just checked out a Dean Koontz book from my local library system - Adobe secure pdf - and it won't let me resize the text. I have a Sony 505. It's so small, I can't read it. Any suggestions?

[rcuadro]

I would if I could. All I can get are audio books.

[Tomsk]

I asked my local council (Trafford, UK) about ebook lending.

This was their reply:

Dear Mr Sou,

Thank you for your enquiry concerning e-book provision in Trafford libraries. I am sorry that I cannot give you a definite answer at present. This is an area in which we have yet to make a decision as regards what we will stock, or when we might begin to stock titles in this area. At the moment, there are many different e-book formats available, and not all formats work with all readers.
Trafford does, however, belong to a purchasing consortium of 33 local authorities, and it has been decided that the consortium will examine the whole of this area, and report back in the New Year with recommendations as to how to progress it .
We will re-examine the situation at this point.

regards,
Liz Waller,
Stock Manager, Access Trafford,

It's not a no.