How long are the eBook waiting lists at your library? - Page 2

dmacmart · 08-22-2010, 12:41 PM

Maxmimum of 10 books on the digital request list (includes either ePub or audio). Here is my list:

The Help by Kathryn Stockett You are patron 17 out of 21 on the waiting list. (3 copies)
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender You are patron 2 out of 2 on the waiting list. (1 copy)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson You are patron 2 out of 77 on the waiting list. (10 copies)
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson You are patron 10 out of 45 on the waiting list. (7 copies)
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson You are patron 13 out of 47 on the waiting list. (7 copies)
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn You are patron 1 out of 1 on the waiting list. (1 copy)
Broken by Karin Slaughter You are patron 5 out of 15 on the waiting list. (2 copies)
Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern You are patron 3 out of 7 on the waiting list. (2 copies)
Innocent You are patron 4 out of 4 on the waiting list. (1 copy)
The Profiler My Life Hunting Serial Killers and Psychopaths by Pat Brown You are patron 5 out of 5 on the waiting list. (1 copy)
================================================== =====
My library allows you 4 days to download it after you get the availability email. Then you can download it for 7, 14, or 21 days. You can return ePubs but it's not at all obvious HOW to.
So each patron has the book likely for 3.5 weeks.

Since I put some of these books on reserve, at least there were more copies of the Stieg Larsson books added. I'm hoping they become available in the correct order.

Interesting note: Some of these books have mobi editions available, even though there is a waiting list for ePubs.

SensualPoet · 08-22-2010, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Tough Customer is from Simon & Schuster and thus, not available at the library as an eBook.

Really? Kobobooks has it as an ePub in a Simon & Shuster edition: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Tough...5Zg/page1.html

lord_blackfang · 08-22-2010, 03:25 PM

Wait... you mean that a library eBook can only be read by one person at a time? That's crazy!

carld · 08-22-2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord_blackfang

Wait... you mean that a library eBook can only be read by one person at a time? That's crazy!

Yep. It sounds crazy, but that's the way it works. I'm guessing the publishers demanded it to allow Overdrive to carry their books. I'm assuming the theory is that at least some people will get tired of waiting and buy their own copies.

TallMomof2 · 08-22-2010, 03:28 PM

Yeah, one ebook = one person. And to compound matters the library I use serves over 1million citizens and they rarely buy more than one copy of any ebook. The waiting lists are long.

dixieknits · 08-22-2010, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

With the Kobo -- which uses the Adobe ADE software -- you can return an ePub book early by right-clicking on a cover and a drop down menu appears; one of the options is "return". I set all my borrowings to 14 days by default.

As for the queues for books, I don't know how long they are for physical books but I'd guess they are no worse. And, ebooks don't get stolen or "mis-laid" by patrons. I find with 2 or 3 things in the queue all the time I never run out of library material.

With my ADE and Overdrive from my library, I can return it on my computer and ADE will call it expired, but it does NOT change the library's counter that says it's mine for x more days. It is not really returned, just removed from my library.
I never turned on Wifi or registered my husband's Nook because I did not want to give our credit card to B & N for the honor of browsing there and his library books remain active on the Nook unil I remove them. I guess that would change if I registered and set the time for him.

J. Strnad · 08-22-2010, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lord_blackfang

Wait... you mean that a library eBook can only be read by one person at a time? That's crazy!

What's the alternative? If they bought one copy and gave unlimited copies to the public, that would be publishing, wouldn't it?

Fbone · 08-22-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

Really? Kobobooks has it as an ePub in a Simon & Shuster edition: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Tough...5Zg/page1.html

Simon & Schuster and Macmillan dont allow Overdrive to offer ebooks to libraries. Although they do permit their published audiobooks.

Other publishers may stipulate a waiting period.

I have an email out to Overdrive hoping they'll provide more info.

JSWolf · 08-22-2010, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SensualPoet

Really? Kobobooks has it as an ePub in a Simon & Shuster edition: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Tough...5Zg/page1.html

Simon & Schuster do not allow their eBooks to be borrowed via Overdrive/Library. That is why it's not available at any Library as an eBook. I am not sure though about audio books from S&S.

JSWolf · 08-22-2010, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fbone

Simon & Schuster and Macmillan dont allow Overdrive to offer ebooks to libraries. Although they do permit their published audiobooks.

Other publishers may stipulate a waiting period.

I have an email out to Overdrive hoping they'll provide more info.

Yes, some do have a waiting period to borrow their eBooks from the library even though they are available for sale. 9th Judgment the latest Women's Murder Club book had such a wait.

And most libraries do only purchase one copy in a given format unless the eBook is really popular like the Stieg Larsson books. So what I usually do is check out what's new every day or every other day just to see what I might want and get it quickly or be low on the waiting list.

The problem is that say your library allows 21 days to borrow an eBook, a person will borrow it. Then say that person finishes it in 16 days. It will sit borrowed for 5 days when it could have been returned. There is no directions given on returning PDF/ePub early. So that makes it take longer when you are on the waiting list.

Also, when you do return an eBook via ADE, it gets removed from the list of books, but it doesn't actually get deleted from your computer. The expired file still sits there taking up disk space.

JSWolf · 08-22-2010, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

This week I went to my local county library (Los Angeles County) to get a library card so I could checkout some ebooks. Since I choose not to pay more than $9.99 for a non-reference ebook, my "plan" was to get those ebooks from the library (and when the prices dropped, I would then buy the ebooks).

Aside from patchy availability, everything I was interested in, had a waiting list. I haven't figured out how to tell where I am on the list.

While in the library, I asked about making a monetary donation specifically toward growing their ebook collection. I was told that their books are purchased centrally and they have no mechanism for taking donations for ebooks. The person I spoke with gave me her card and when I got home, I emailed her this link on how to take donations. She's passing on the information to the powers that be in hopes that a system can be created.

So far, in my world, ebooks from the library are not ready for prime time.

Are you going to be stripping the DRM and converting to Mobipocket since most new eBooks are either ePub or PDF (if no ePub exists)?

And welcome back to MR.

daffy4u · 08-22-2010, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Are you going to be stripping the DRM and converting to Mobipocket since most new eBooks are either ePub or PDF (if no ePub exists)?

And welcome back to MR.

No, though it wouldn't be difficult for me. I still have the 505 that I can use for library books since my library does not carry mobi.

Thanks for the welcome back but I wasn't really gone. I've just had a very very busy summer.

bookwerm · 08-22-2010, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daffy4u

This week I went to my local county library (Los Angeles County) to get a library card so I could checkout some ebooks. Since I choose not to pay more than $9.99 for a non-reference ebook, my "plan" was to get those ebooks from the library (and when the prices dropped, I would then buy the ebooks).

Aside from patchy availability, everything I was interested in, had a waiting list. I haven't figured out how to tell where I am on the list.

While in the library, I asked about making a monetary donation specifically toward growing their ebook collection. I was told that their books are purchased centrally and they have no mechanism for taking donations for ebooks. The person I spoke with gave me her card and when I got home, I emailed her this link on how to take donations. She's passing on the information to the powers that be in hopes that a system can be created.

So far, in my world, ebooks from the library are not ready for prime time.

On 'patchy' availability: I think it depends on what you read. I'm a big fan of LA County library, and read a lot of bestellers, so they have pretty much what i want. However, if there are titles you want to read that are available through overdrive, you can suggest a purchase through the library's website. They're amazingly responsive, and have added every book I've ever suggested within 1 week (around 10 altogether).

Also, if you can access LA county library, you're probably close to an LA Public Library branch. That library recently converted to epub and overs over 6,000 titles in epub, pdf, and some mobi. You may want to check it out to see if they have more offerings that meet your need. Due to recent cuts, though, LA public has become less responsive to suggestions.

daffy4u · 08-22-2010, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bookwerm

On 'patchy' availability: I think it depends on what you read. I'm a big fan of LA County library, and read a lot of bestellers, so they have pretty much what i want. However, if there are titles you want to read that are available through overdrive, you can suggest a purchase through the library's website. They're amazingly responsive, and have added every book I've ever suggested within 1 week (around 10 altogether).

I also read current fiction best sellers. Some books I could not find via my local branch site (the latest Sookie Stackhouse book). One author I looked for (MaryJanice Davidson) did not show up at all. Maybe it's just my branch, so I'll check others to see if I have better luck.

Quote:

Also, if you can access LA county library, you're probably close to an LA Public Library branch. That library recently converted to epub and overs over 6,000 titles in epub, pdf, and some mobi. You may want to check it out to see if they have more offerings that meet your need. Due to recent cuts, though, LA public has become less responsive to suggestions.

I've only been able to access NetLibrary which wasn't any better. If I'm looking in the wrong place, please let me know. I still have an L.A. Public Library Card even though I don't technically live in any of the incorporated cities anymore.

Thanks for the info.

Fbone · 08-22-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Yes, some do have a waiting period to borrow their eBooks from the library even though they are available for sale. 9th Judgment the latest Women's Murder Club book had such a wait.

This is what I would prefer over an outright ban. Hopefully Overdrive will provide a reason why these two publishers arent cooperative.

Stephen King, Janet Evanovich, Sandra Brown and Mary Higgins Clark books arent available.

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08-22-2010, 12:41 PM	#16
dmacmart Fanatic Posts: 534 Karma: 696908 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ottawa Canada Device: Kobo Mini, Glo, Arc, H2O, iPhone, iPad 2, (husband)Touch	Maxmimum of 10 books on the digital request list (includes either ePub or audio). Here is my list: The Help by Kathryn Stockett You are patron 17 out of 21 on the waiting list. (3 copies) The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender You are patron 2 out of 2 on the waiting list. (1 copy) The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson You are patron 2 out of 77 on the waiting list. (10 copies) The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson You are patron 10 out of 45 on the waiting list. (7 copies) The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson You are patron 13 out of 47 on the waiting list. (7 copies) Dark Places by Gillian Flynn You are patron 1 out of 1 on the waiting list. (1 copy) Broken by Karin Slaughter You are patron 5 out of 15 on the waiting list. (2 copies) Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern You are patron 3 out of 7 on the waiting list. (2 copies) Innocent You are patron 4 out of 4 on the waiting list. (1 copy) The Profiler My Life Hunting Serial Killers and Psychopaths by Pat Brown You are patron 5 out of 5 on the waiting list. (1 copy) ================================================== ===== My library allows you 4 days to download it after you get the availability email. Then you can download it for 7, 14, or 21 days. You can return ePubs but it's not at all obvious HOW to. So each patron has the book likely for 3.5 weeks. Since I put some of these books on reserve, at least there were more copies of the Stieg Larsson books added. I'm hoping they become available in the correct order. Interesting note: Some of these books have mobi editions available, even though there is a waiting list for ePubs.

08-22-2010, 03:25 PM	#18
lord_blackfang Enthusiast Posts: 41 Karma: 80 Join Date: Jul 2010 Device: PRS-600	Wait... you mean that a library eBook can only be read by one person at a time? That's crazy!

08-22-2010, 03:28 PM	#20
TallMomof2 Kindlephilia Posts: 2,017 Karma: 1139255 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Snowpacolypse 2010 Device: Too many to count	Yeah, one ebook = one person. And to compound matters the library I use serves over 1million citizens and they rarely buy more than one copy of any ebook. The waiting lists are long.

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