Have you read an ebook from the public library? - Page 3

wpeace · 11-08-2009, 10:23 PM

When I got my EzReader the second place I went was our local library website. It had been a while sense I'd even had a library card and once I got a feel for some of the books available I made a trip to get one. I'm averaging about 2 books a month (not including those I've gotten from other sources) downloaded.

The library here in Maryland uses ADE so I can download and copy to my EzReader without a problem.

AnemicOak · 11-08-2009, 11:32 PM

My library (Hennepin County, MN) does everything from Overdrive (Audiobooks, Music, Video) except for ebooks.

I'm sure I would use it quite a bit if they did offer them, but so far they've shown no intent to do so.

Lilly · 11-08-2009, 11:46 PM

Brooklyn, NY library is awesome. In fact, I see why Amazon don't give library access and I'm proof of that. I came from buying 100% of my reading materials each month for an average of about $60 monthly to spending about 10% of that each month.

ardeegee · 11-09-2009, 12:18 AM

Just saw this tonight-- the "Digital Bookmobile."

http://www2.wspa.com/spa/news/local/..._monday/29383/

user42 · 11-09-2009, 02:53 AM

No -- My local library started offering some, but it's very poorly executed. While the catalog is searchable, it currently has no way to limit results to 'actual' ebooks, they mix in downloadable audio books as well.

All in all they have just a few dozen non-audio ebooks -- and the vast majority of those are either about various mental disorders or do-it-yourself instructions. There's a whopping 7 fiction novels in the current lineup.

basschick · 11-09-2009, 09:24 AM

my local library has around 500 ebooks, many of which seem to be romances. they are mostly available in pdf and mobi, but almost all of them are always checked out - you have to get on a waiting list to read them.

Hellmark · 11-09-2009, 02:33 PM

I need to go two counties over for the nearest library system with ebooks, and while I plan on doing that soon (probably this week), I just haven't been able to yet.

My school library just started offering Overdrive access, but only for audiobooks. They say that ebooks will be coming, but that they're working on getting audiobooks in first.

kelly1010 · 11-09-2009, 02:44 PM

The library book issues was one of the things that attracted me to the 505...Sadly, I have BOUGHT way more books than borrowing from the library (which I had planned to mainly borrow books). But the option is there. I live in the Sacramento area and took a road trip and got cards for several libraries in the San Francisco Bay area. I also have a membership to Michigan library consortium.

Luckily for me, I read romance, so with all the romance books at each of these libraries, I should never need to buy ebooks again. And I'm finding that more and more libraries are going with epub. I do not mind the pdfs, even with the funky line breaks, because the books are FREE....and I don't choose to spend time going through and realigning.

The libraries with the best selections (for me) have been the San Francisco Public Library and Michigan Library Consortium. Those are the two I check out books from most often. I use the digital library locator on overdrive.com to see which libraries have the books I want. And SOME of the books I want aren't available in any libraries yet, so I buy those.

Oh, and the SFPL and Michigan library are pretty good about having new releases. I recently read two new releases that I got from Michigan without having to even wait. And I'm on the waiting list for several more.

daisy76 · 11-09-2009, 03:31 PM

Since I got my Sony 505, I've only read library books or free books on it. I purchased 1 book the 1st day only to find out that I could have borrowed it from the library.

Xenophon · 11-09-2009, 04:11 PM

I voted no. My local library does offer eBooks, but only "sorta-kinda." They have the Overdrive eBook variety where you get access to a web-page that shows you the pdf version of the book... one... page... at... a... (veeeeeeerrryyyy ssssslllllloooooowwww) time.

No downloading, not even in pdf. Certainly no formats that you can load on your hand-held ebook reader.

And then they wonder why their eBook service isn't very popular!

Xenophon
(shaking his head in amazement)

Hellmark · 11-09-2009, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xenophon

I voted no. My local library does offer eBooks, but only "sorta-kinda." They have the Overdrive eBook variety where you get access to a web-page that shows you the pdf version of the book... one... page... at... a... (veeeeeeerrryyyy ssssslllllloooooowwww) time.

No downloading, not even in pdf. Certainly no formats that you can load on your hand-held ebook reader.

And then they wonder why their eBook service isn't very popular!

Xenophon
(shaking his head in amazement)

Yeah, the library that is contracting Overdrive, gets to pick and choose the type of content and how it is displayed. Some libraries, allow downloads from Overdrive, others audiobook only, some have no check out, just via the webpage (I guess it would be cheaper, due to fewer licenses needed for each book title).

snert · 11-10-2009, 08:02 AM

Sydney's mom,

How do you arrange the reciprocal privileges with the suburban libraries? Just go to their websites? i have a CPL card and am woefully unimpressed with the selection of ebooks.

solitarywolf · 11-10-2009, 03:23 PM

I borrowed De-Cluttering for the Complete Idiot from my San Francisco Library. I enjoyed reading it as I would have never wanted to buy this book but borrowing it from my local e-library was awesome. As it showed on my Sony Reader it expired on the check-in date. I was curious what would happen on the expiration date, would it disappear? would I just not be able to open it? Well as it turned out, it was the latter.

I will be borrowing more in the future. I think this is a great way to visit your library from home!

-Seth
San Francisco, CA

kelly1010 · 11-10-2009, 03:27 PM

yeah! The SFPL library is one of my favorites...the 2 hour trip I made just to get a card was well worth it. I currently have Nicholas Sparks' latest release out from them. No wait either!! If only I could get a card to the NYPL.

View Poll Results: Have you read ebooks from your public library?
No; library books do not interest me	3	1.99%
No; my library does not offer this service	49	32.45%
Yes; on a desktop or notebook computer	8	5.30%
Yes; on a Sony or other mobile device	81	53.64%
Other	10	6.62%
Voters: 151. You may not vote on this poll

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11-08-2009, 10:23 PM	#31
wpeace Seer Posts: 54 Karma: 12 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Maryland Device: Nook WP7 Pocket PC/SmartQ7/Pocket Pro/A5A iPad Streak 5	When I got my EzReader the second place I went was our local library website. It had been a while sense I'd even had a library card and once I got a feel for some of the books available I made a trip to get one. I'm averaging about 2 books a month (not including those I've gotten from other sources) downloaded. The library here in Maryland uses ADE so I can download and copy to my EzReader without a problem.

11-08-2009, 11:32 PM	#32
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	My library (Hennepin County, MN) does everything from Overdrive (Audiobooks, Music, Video) except for ebooks. I'm sure I would use it quite a bit if they did offer them, but so far they've shown no intent to do so.

11-08-2009, 11:46 PM	#33
Lilly Guru Posts: 688 Karma: 2090 Join Date: Dec 2007 Device: Sony PRS-505, PRS-900 & PRS-950, Amazon Kindle2	Brooklyn, NY library is awesome. In fact, I see why Amazon don't give library access and I'm proof of that. I came from buying 100% of my reading materials each month for an average of about $60 monthly to spending about 10% of that each month.

11-09-2009, 12:18 AM	#34
ardeegee Maratus speciosus butt Posts: 3,292 Karma: 1162698 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: PRS-350	Just saw this tonight-- the "Digital Bookmobile." http://www2.wspa.com/spa/news/local/..._monday/29383/

11-09-2009, 02:53 AM	#35
user42 Junior Member Posts: 6 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: prs-505	No -- My local library started offering some, but it's very poorly executed. While the catalog is searchable, it currently has no way to limit results to 'actual' ebooks, they mix in downloadable audio books as well. All in all they have just a few dozen non-audio ebooks -- and the vast majority of those are either about various mental disorders or do-it-yourself instructions. There's a whopping 7 fiction novels in the current lineup.

11-09-2009, 09:24 AM	#36
basschick Wizard Posts: 1,096 Karma: 4695691 Join Date: May 2008 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	my local library has around 500 ebooks, many of which seem to be romances. they are mostly available in pdf and mobi, but almost all of them are always checked out - you have to get on a waiting list to read them.

11-09-2009, 02:33 PM	#37
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,592 Karma: 4290425 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Foristell, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3, Kobo Libra 2	I need to go two counties over for the nearest library system with ebooks, and while I plan on doing that soon (probably this week), I just haven't been able to yet. My school library just started offering Overdrive access, but only for audiobooks. They say that ebooks will be coming, but that they're working on getting audiobooks in first.

11-09-2009, 02:44 PM	#38
kelly1010 Book Addict! Posts: 533 Karma: 1070 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: CA Device: Sony PRS-505, iPod Touch, Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi	The library book issues was one of the things that attracted me to the 505...Sadly, I have BOUGHT way more books than borrowing from the library (which I had planned to mainly borrow books). But the option is there. I live in the Sacramento area and took a road trip and got cards for several libraries in the San Francisco Bay area. I also have a membership to Michigan library consortium. Luckily for me, I read romance, so with all the romance books at each of these libraries, I should never need to buy ebooks again. And I'm finding that more and more libraries are going with epub. I do not mind the pdfs, even with the funky line breaks, because the books are FREE....and I don't choose to spend time going through and realigning. The libraries with the best selections (for me) have been the San Francisco Public Library and Michigan Library Consortium. Those are the two I check out books from most often. I use the digital library locator on overdrive.com to see which libraries have the books I want. And SOME of the books I want aren't available in any libraries yet, so I buy those. Oh, and the SFPL and Michigan library are pretty good about having new releases. I recently read two new releases that I got from Michigan without having to even wait. And I'm on the waiting list for several more.

11-09-2009, 03:31 PM	#39
daisy76 Member Posts: 14 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jul 2009 Device: Sony Ereader	Since I got my Sony 505, I've only read library books or free books on it. I purchased 1 book the 1st day only to find out that I could have borrowed it from the library.

11-09-2009, 04:11 PM	#40
Xenophon curmudgeon Posts: 1,487 Karma: 5748190 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Redwood City, CA USA Device: Kobo Aura HD, (ex)nook, (ex)PRS-700, (ex)PRS-500	I voted no. My local library does offer eBooks, but only "sorta-kinda." They have the Overdrive eBook variety where you get access to a web-page that shows you the pdf version of the book... one... page... at... a... (veeeeeeerrryyyy ssssslllllloooooowwww) time. No downloading, not even in pdf. Certainly no formats that you can load on your hand-held ebook reader. And then they wonder why their eBook service isn't very popular! Xenophon (shaking his head in amazement)

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11-10-2009, 08:02 AM	#42
snert Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505	Sydney's mom, How do you arrange the reciprocal privileges with the suburban libraries? Just go to their websites? i have a CPL card and am woefully unimpressed with the selection of ebooks.

11-10-2009, 03:23 PM	#43
solitarywolf Ink Drinker Posts: 224 Karma: 347666 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Francisco, CA Device: Kindle Scribe, Kindle 2021, Ipad Pro, iPhone Pro	I borrowed De-Cluttering for the Complete Idiot from my San Francisco Library. I enjoyed reading it as I would have never wanted to buy this book but borrowing it from my local e-library was awesome. As it showed on my Sony Reader it expired on the check-in date. I was curious what would happen on the expiration date, would it disappear? would I just not be able to open it? Well as it turned out, it was the latter. I will be borrowing more in the future. I think this is a great way to visit your library from home! -Seth San Francisco, CA

11-10-2009, 03:27 PM	#44
kelly1010 Book Addict! Posts: 533 Karma: 1070 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: CA Device: Sony PRS-505, iPod Touch, Kindle 3G + Wi-Fi	yeah! The SFPL library is one of my favorites...the 2 hour trip I made just to get a card was well worth it. I currently have Nicholas Sparks' latest release out from them. No wait either!! If only I could get a card to the NYPL.