Library dropped Overdrive for 3M. You could be next!

[jehane]

Duckie, if Columbus isn't too far you could join the Digital Downloads Consortium. It's mostly the library systems in and near Columbus and any Ohio resident can join (state taxes). I find it's a better selection than the Ohio Digital. Clevnet is better still, but I haven't made the trek up north yet since I'm well supplied locally. However since Overdrive is an Ohio (Cleveland) company I think we're safe!

[DuckieTigger]

Originally Posted by jehane

Duckie, if Columbus isn't too far you could join the Digital Downloads Consortium. It's mostly the library systems in and near Columbus and any Ohio resident can join (state taxes). I find it's a better selection than the Ohio Digital. Clevnet is better still, but I haven't made the trek up north yet since I'm well supplied locally. However since Overdrive is an Ohio (Cleveland) company I think we're safe!

*sigh* Columbus (3hrs) is even further away than Cleveland (2.5 hrs) for me. Cincinnati is also 3 hrs away. So not economical to drive that far just for the library card. I checked Cleveland, and all member libraries require to apply in person at least once. Next time I am happen to be in the area I will make sure to get me a card. Otherwise the gas money and lost time could pay for a bunch of books bought outright.

[FizzyWater]

Originally Posted by DuckieTigger

*sigh* Columbus (3hrs) is even further away than Cleveland (2.5 hrs) for me. Cincinnati is also 3 hrs away. So not economical to drive that far just for the library card. I checked Cleveland, and all member libraries require to apply in person at least once. Next time I am happen to be in the area I will make sure to get me a card. Otherwise the gas money and lost time could pay for a bunch of books bought outright.

Be sure to check on their renewal process, too. I signed up via the Lorain Public Library system - and it requires annual physical checkins to renew the card.

Very frustrating - but since I have family up that way, I just make sure to renew during my Christmas visits!

[BearMountainBooks]

Check library policies often. More and more of them are allowing long-distance renewals because it's becoming a more popular feature. In some cases, you have to have a "home" library so they can check your standing, but so long as you aren't registering as a "local" where you have to show proof of where you live, some libraries are changing their policies so it pays to ask or check the website now and then. From what I hear Ohio has a pretty decent library system so you never know!

[Bookworm_Girl]

I was surprised that I was able to sign-up online for a card with another city in my county. It was that easy, and I was back on Overdrive. In fact I did it from my iPhone while traveling out-of-state over the holiday weekend and then was able to checkout an audiobook to listen to in the car-ride home! I just needed to provide my name and address. I only have access to their digital services. If I want to use their other services and check-out books from a branch, then I need to show ID in person and they'll convert my ecard into one with more privileges.

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

I was surprised that I was able to sign-up online for a card with another city in my county. It was that easy, and I was back on Overdrive. In fact I did it from my iPhone while traveling out-of-state over the holiday weekend and then was able to checkout an audiobook to listen to in the car-ride home! I just needed to provide my name and address. I only have access to their digital services. If I want to use their other services and check-out books from a branch, then I need to show ID in person and they'll convert my ecard into one with more privileges.

And sometimes when you go in and explain your situation after signing up for the first time, if you are paying an "out-of-network" fee, they can mark your account and you don't have to go in in person. This won't work everywhere, but never hurts to ask!! The libraries need the fees so many are willing to work with you. For state-wide libraries, they may have other arrangements. Some US libraries are even allowing non-US citizens to purchase a card for digital checkouts. I have a friend in Spain who has two cards here (I think it's 2 with two different states!)

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

There is a baker and taylor one coming out. I don't know much about it other than I'm opted into it in Smashwords. I don't think it's up and running yet. They buy books in batches and if I recall how it work (DO NOT QUOTE ME) they BUY a book from smashwords and then OWN it so they can lend it out for life even if I pull my books from smashwords.
For those of you who can do a recommend--can you also see indie titles/request them? Here is how you can tell:
Go to advanced search, and scroll all the way to the bottom and see if there is a selection that reads: "additional titles to recommend."
You can search to see if it works IF you know an indie author who has her books in the overdrive program (you can use mine if in doubt):
Go to advanced search, put in name of indie author, and then down at the bottom click "additional titles to recommend" Clicking "All Titles" DOES NOT WORK. You have to click the "ADDITIONAL titles to recommend."
Here is a library that has the option of searching for "additional titles."
http://kingcounty.libraryreserve.com...en/Default.htm
Most libraries have additional titles TURNED OFF. My library does not have ANY recommendation settings turned on (and had a heck of a time finding the additional titles to do a search to find some of the small press and indie titles when I asked about them.) This is just for curiosity purposes. If you don't have time to fool with it, don't feel in the least bit obligated. I'm curious about how many libraries have the functions turned on or off.

I can see 8 of your books under additional titles to recommend.

[BearMountainBooks]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

I can see 8 of your books under additional titles to recommend.

That is cool that you even have the Additional titles! Not all libraries have that button. Thanks for looking. One day I will convince my library to turn that button on...

[library addict]

Originally Posted by BearMountainBooks

For those of you who can do a recommend--can you also see indie titles/request them?

This is just for curiosity purposes. If you don't have time to fool with it, don't feel in the least bit obligated. I'm curious about how many libraries have the functions turned on or off.

I see 9 of your titles to recommend in my Overdrive library.

I do not see any of them to recommend at the 3M library.

[stormcloude]

Originally Posted by Bookworm_Girl

I can see 8 of your books under additional titles to recommend.

I saw 8 too. Also clicking the banner at the bottom of the "results" area that says "don't see the digital titles you were hoping to find?" will bring up those indie results too, so you don't have to go to the advanced search page.

[eschwartz]

I see 8 of them available to recommend.
http://hadc.lib.overdrive.com
http://digitalbooks.brooklynpubliclibrary.org
http://overdrive.mlcstl.org

[eschwartz]

Originally Posted by stormcloude

I saw 8 too. Also clicking the banner at the bottom of the "results" area that says "don't see the digital titles you were hoping to find?" will bring up those indie results too, so you don't have to go to the advanced search page.

Did not know you could do this. I was pretty sure it used to send you to the search page or something.

Thanks for alerting me to this!

[BearMountainBooks]

I checked and I don't have distribution to 3M through any channel. Thanks StormCloud. I'm going to try that and see if that is shut off at my library. I don't think it offers me "more titles" if I don't see what I want...

[BearMountainBooks]

I'm just impressed that so many of the libraries have that option turned on so you can find those additional titles. When I first learned about it, I asked 5 people to check. Only 2 of the 5 was able to find my books--and of those two, as soon as the librarians realized there was a request button, they had it shut off. Thanks, everyone. Much appreciated!

[jehane]

Duckie, the State Library of Ohio lets you join online. The Ohio address they send the card to is the proof of residency. They were in the Ohio digital library consortium so only useful if your county leaves that one.