How Kindle library lending has changed my reading habits - Page 2

graycyn · 10-28-2011, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by khalleron

Or more, how it's changed them back. . .

I don't own a Kindle, I'm on my 2nd Sony, so I've been borrowing ebooks from my public library for about a year and half. Waiting lists were once short or non-existent. I could pretty much get any book I wanted immediately or within a week.

My library is part of a statewide consortium, so when Kindle lending came in, usage shot through the roof (all those Kindle owners in Portland are messing in my playground!) There's a waiting list for EVERYTHING! And I'm only allowed six holds.

Same exact consortium here, and yeah, the wait lists are getting longer. Oregon must be chock full of readers! But honestly, it wasn't all that great a year ago when I started using the library ebooks. I had the audacity to put the Stieg Laarson books on hold, and there were easily over 100 people on that waiting list, and by the time I'd actually GOTTEN the books, the wait was closer to 200 people. All long before Kindle library lending came into play, sigh.

Still, it's like Christmas when a library hold comes in! And if I'm impatient for some new read, there's always paper. I can usually walk out with the paper copy instantly.

JeremyR · 10-28-2011, 10:41 PM

So basically the OP is upset that public money, taken by the government from property owners in that given area for the benefit of everyone, is now being used to provide e-books for virtually everyone with an e-reader, as opposed to only a small segment? Sigh...

khalleron · 10-28-2011, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyR

So basically the OP is upset that public money, taken by the government from property owners in that given area for the benefit of everyone, is now being used to provide e-books for virtually everyone with an e-reader, as opposed to only a small segment? Sigh...

Thanks for putting words into my mouth!

That's nothing like what I said, in either one of my posts.

But thanks for playing!

Bookworm_Girl · 10-29-2011, 12:17 AM

It's quite possible that Kindle borrowing has increased demand at some libraries. That's not to say it's a bad thing. Just a statement. I think the OP poses an interesting question when viewed big picture as how as increased demand changed your borrowing habits. I agree that because of availability it broadens what I read too forcing me out of my usual habits.

beespeckled · 10-29-2011, 02:32 AM

The way Overdrive is setup w/my library you have 3 options for holds or downloads: Kindle, Epub or PDF. So not experiencing lack of book availability due to Kindle owners. It is those that use Epub/PDF format that I have to compete with

HarryT · 10-29-2011, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I too have noticed that wait lists are huge now. Bezos screws users yet again. We had a pretty good thing going. Now we have Kindle library books and wait lists like years long.

"Screws users"? So you think that Kindle owners have less right to read library books than you do?

soondai · 10-29-2011, 02:57 AM

I haven't really noticed as much of an influx as I expected. But I do check my libraries for new arrivals daily, so that keeps me from being buried too deep in the lines. Just part of my surfing routine.

Blossom · 10-29-2011, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soondai

I haven't really noticed as much of an influx as I expected. But I do check my libraries for new arrivals daily, so that keeps me from being buried too deep in the lines. Just part of my surfing routine.

Same here I check my Libraries every other hour to keep from getting too far back in line.

The only thing that has change in my local library is they are now buying more copies. So the lines are actually less now.

Loosheesh · 10-29-2011, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremyR

So basically the OP is upset that public money, taken by the government from property owners in that given area for the benefit of everyone, is now being used to provide e-books for virtually everyone with an e-reader, as opposed to only a small segment? Sigh...

To be fair, I think JSWolf is a better candidate for this award you're handing out:

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I too have noticed that wait lists are huge now. Bezos screws users yet again. We had a pretty good thing going. Now we have Kindle library books and wait lists like years long.

Loosheesh · 10-29-2011, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soondai

I haven't really noticed as much of an influx as I expected. But I do check my libraries for new arrivals daily, so that keeps me from being buried too deep in the lines. Just part of my surfing routine.

to it all ...

elemenoP · 10-29-2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soondai

I haven't really noticed as much of an influx as I expected. But I do check my libraries for new arrivals daily, so that keeps me from being buried too deep in the lines. Just part of my surfing routine.

I confess, I do this too!! It's a tiny thrill in my day when I see they've added new books.

eP

Loosheesh · 10-29-2011, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elemenoP

I confess, I do this too!! It's a tiny thrill in my day when I see they've added new books.

eP

Me too! At that point, I usually admonish myself to get a life

GoSharks · 10-29-2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I too have noticed that wait lists are huge now. Bezos screws users yet again. We had a pretty good thing going. Now we have Kindle library books and wait lists like years long.

Maybe if they stopped providing epubs all the Sony people would go away, then the Kindlers wouldn't have to wait so long.... still hating Amazon I see, Jon. That pony sure is getting tired of the same ol' trick. Kumbaya

KarenH · 10-29-2011, 01:29 PM

I haven't noticed much of an increase in wait times, but I'll admit I'm another one who checks for new titles pretty much daily. I also have access to several different libraries, so when there is a specific title I'm looking for I use the Overdrive search to see which of my libraries have it, then if necessary put a hold on it at the one with the shortest wait list. I have no problem waiting for books to become available, if it's so important that I really want to read it RIGHT NOW, I always have the option to buy it.

One big advantage I've found is that many older books that previously were only available in PDF are now also available in the Kindle format. Since I've given up even trying to deal with PDFs, this has actually made several books available to me that I've been wanting to read but didn't want to buy.

speakingtohe · 10-29-2011, 01:43 PM

I feel very fortunate to have ebooks available from the library.

While the wait lists are longer in my library (BC, Canada) there are still many with available copies (2979 of 7287 in fiction)

Chances are I can find something to read and if I couldn't I could march over to the library and get a paper book

I think it is only a matter of time before some enterprising company starts donating refurbished or last years model ereaders to schools and libraries. Or offering customers a credit towards a new ereader if they donate their old ereader. Imagine the positive publicity.

Sure I might be inconvenienced for a while by fewer library ebooks available, but IMO the end result would be worth it.

Helen

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10-28-2011, 10:41 PM	#17
JeremyR Guru Posts: 973 Karma: 2458402 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: St. Louis Device: Kindle Keyboard, Nook HD+	So basically the OP is upset that public money, taken by the government from property owners in that given area for the benefit of everyone, is now being used to provide e-books for virtually everyone with an e-reader, as opposed to only a small segment? Sigh...

10-29-2011, 12:17 AM	#19
Bookworm_Girl E-reader Enthusiast Posts: 4,873 Karma: 36536965 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southwest, USA Device: Kindle Oasis 3; Kobo Aura One; iPad Mini 5	It's quite possible that Kindle borrowing has increased demand at some libraries. That's not to say it's a bad thing. Just a statement. I think the OP poses an interesting question when viewed big picture as how as increased demand changed your borrowing habits. I agree that because of availability it broadens what I read too forcing me out of my usual habits.

10-29-2011, 02:32 AM	#20
beespeckled Groupie Posts: 162 Karma: 80874 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pacific NW USA Device: KOBO Aura One; Kindle Oasis 3, KOBO Libra Colour	The way Overdrive is setup w/my library you have 3 options for holds or downloads: Kindle, Epub or PDF. So not experiencing lack of book availability due to Kindle owners. It is those that use Epub/PDF format that I have to compete with

10-29-2011, 02:57 AM	#22
soondai Guru Posts: 672 Karma: 1109784 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Paperwhite	I haven't really noticed as much of an influx as I expected. But I do check my libraries for new arrivals daily, so that keeps me from being buried too deep in the lines. Just part of my surfing routine.

10-29-2011, 01:29 PM	#29
KarenH Addict Posts: 281 Karma: 37762 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NW Washington State, USA Device: K3	I haven't noticed much of an increase in wait times, but I'll admit I'm another one who checks for new titles pretty much daily. I also have access to several different libraries, so when there is a specific title I'm looking for I use the Overdrive search to see which of my libraries have it, then if necessary put a hold on it at the one with the shortest wait list. I have no problem waiting for books to become available, if it's so important that I really want to read it RIGHT NOW, I always have the option to buy it. One big advantage I've found is that many older books that previously were only available in PDF are now also available in the Kindle format. Since I've given up even trying to deal with PDFs, this has actually made several books available to me that I've been wanting to read but didn't want to buy.

10-29-2011, 01:43 PM	#30
speakingtohe Wizard Posts: 4,812 Karma: 26912940 Join Date: Apr 2010 Device: sony PRS-T1 and T3, Kobo Mini and Aura HD, Tablet	I feel very fortunate to have ebooks available from the library. While the wait lists are longer in my library (BC, Canada) there are still many with available copies (2979 of 7287 in fiction) Chances are I can find something to read and if I couldn't I could march over to the library and get a paper book I think it is only a matter of time before some enterprising company starts donating refurbished or last years model ereaders to schools and libraries. Or offering customers a credit towards a new ereader if they donate their old ereader. Imagine the positive publicity. Sure I might be inconvenienced for a while by fewer library ebooks available, but IMO the end result would be worth it. Helen

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