How Kindle library lending has changed my reading habits

[tubemonkey]

I heart reading library books on my Kindle

Belonging to multiple libraries keeps the waiting to a minimum. Besides, there's always something worth reading there if I can't get what I really wanted.

[kennyc]

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.

Well, not really everything - which is how things have changed. If I want to check out something NOW, I have to go to the 'available ebooks' tab and browse. Which is what I used to do when I read pbooks - spend hours browsing the stacks, finding things that looked interesting that I would not have found otherwise.

So right now I'm reading a novel about the Whiskey Rebellion that I would not have found by searching, because I would not have looked for it.

I only wish I could browse by genre.

Lemonade, anyone?

Yep, that's what I was afraid of. I've been affected by it a bit, but mostly I was having to put holds on things even before the big K invasion!

[khalleron]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I heart reading library books on my Kindle

Belonging to multiple libraries keeps the waiting to a minimum. Besides, there's always something worth reading there if I can't get what I really wanted.

Which is good if you live somewhere where that is possible.

The problem here in Oregon is all the libraries in the state sharing the same ebook library.

So, to repeat that I DO support ebooks being as widely available as possible (), the strategy we have to use to get access is now different.

[melonhead]

You know, there is going to be a new game in town if libraries jump on it. The Freading service (from Library Ideas)

It is a "pay per read" service where libraries pay per checkout. This is available in DRM epub only, so good news for Sony/Nook users. All titles are always available (no waiting lists) and Kindle users can't use it. (Back to Adobe Digital Editions for this). Not that it matters to the rest of us that Kindle users can't participate, because there are no restrictions on how many can circulate at a time. Users are limited by a token system.

Good news for libraries, too, they have a great urban lit selection.

[JenPen1]

I have been using epub books from my Library in Winnipeg,Canada for a couple of years. My complaint to the Library is that some of the best, or my favourite authors are only available in mp3 audio format or ipod compatible format. I want epub. There is much less variety in epub format. Right now Kindle isn't an option in Libraries in Canada I don't think. Not in Winnipeg anyway. This makes the waiting time for epubs very long. Right now I am number 29 out of 32 for one of the books on my waiting list!
I don't know what the outcome would be if Kindle were available. Download them, strip the DRM off and put them through Calibre, so maybe we would have more options!

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by melonhead

You know, there is going to be a new game in town if libraries jump on it. The Freading service (from Library Ideas)

It is a "pay per read" service where libraries pay per checkout. This is available in DRM epub only, so good news for Sony/Nook users. All titles are always available (no waiting lists) and Kindle users can't use it. (Back to Adobe Digital Editions for this). Not that it matters to the rest of us that Kindle users can't participate, because there are no restrictions on how many can circulate at a time. Users are limited by a token system.

Good news for libraries, too, they have a great urban lit selection.

Why should I pay to read when my taxes already go to paying for the library and if I have to pay anyway I'll just buy the book.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by khalleron

Which is good if you live somewhere where that is possible.

The problem here in Oregon is all the libraries in the state sharing the same ebook library.

So, to repeat that I DO support ebooks being as widely available as possible (), the strategy we have to use to get access is now different.

Any chance they'll increase the budget with the increase in demand?

[melonhead]

Why should I pay to read when my taxes already go to paying for the library and if I have to pay anyway I'll just buy the book.

You don't pay directly, the library does. You are limited to a certain amount per week,In addition the library can cut everybody off if they reach whatever threshold is agreed on between the library and Freading.

I think most libraries would use this as a supplement to overdrive, not as an alternative.Perhaps to relieve some of the pressure for popular titles.

[ucfgrad93]

Originally Posted by HarryT

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

Of course he does. Whatever Amazon does, it is wrong according to JSWolf.

[DreamWriter]

I've read four library books on my Kindle so far. I don't mind waiting. I have plenty of other books to read in the meantime.

[NightBird]

My complaint to the Library is that some of the best, or my favourite authors are only available in mp3 audio format or ipod compatible format. I want epub...I don't know what the outcome would be if Kindle were available. Download them, strip the DRM off and put them through Calibre, so maybe we would have more options!

This is due to the publishers not allowing ebooks in libraries, so getting Kindle format will not help you. Simon & Schuster, Macmillan and Hachette do not allow libraries to have their ebooks. HarperCollins now has limited each copy to 26 downloads and some of the libraries are boycotting them because of this. That leaves only Random House and Penguin of the agency publishers.

[NightBird]

Originally Posted by khalleron

The problem here in Oregon is all the libraries in the state sharing the same ebook library.

So, to repeat that I DO support ebooks being as widely available as possible (), the strategy we have to use to get access is now different.

We had the same thing in Northern California until this year, when Overdrive forced the libraries to split up and all buy their own books. At first it was terrible, but at least my library has rapidly acquired a lot more books. The Kindle addition hasn't made any difference and we have actually had shorter waits.

I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing happens to you, as this is what Overdrive is pushing for.

[khalleron]

Originally Posted by NightBird

We had the same thing in Northern California until this year, when Overdrive forced the libraries to split up and all buy their own books. At first it was terrible, but at least my library has rapidly acquired a lot more books. The Kindle addition hasn't made any difference and we have actually had shorter waits.

I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing happens to you, as this is what Overdrive is pushing for.

Since I live in a small town, this would probably only make it worse - shorter lines maybe, but for fewer books, and the libraries that are even smaller than mine would get left out, which is not something I want to see happen.

Oregon is pretty cash strapped right now - Portland aside, most of the state is sparsely populated, which is why so many libraries belong to various consortiums to share books, not just ebooks. And like a lot of states with one large metro area and the rest of the state largely rural, tax and lottery money tends to flow uphill, from the rural areas to the metro area.

So I hope Overdrive doesn't get its way since it would result in small libraries being virtually cut off from digital media, not just in Oregon.

[elemenoP]

I also think it's in the spirit of LIBRARIES that as many different devices can access the library books as possible. Even better if they could actually loan ereaders to people who can't afford them. (I believe some libraries do this?)

eP

[DreamWriter]

My county library system has ebook-reading devices available for loan. I haven't checked to see if my local branch has them, though.