Ebook readers and library books

jswinden · 07-30-2010, 11:08 AM

If this has been polled lately then apologies for the duplicate, but I couldn't find a recent poll. I'm intersted in how many people actually read ebooks borrowed from a library, and if they do, how many they read.

AnemicOak · 07-30-2010, 11:11 AM

This year I've borrowed around 40 ebooks from the two libraries I have access to. I've read about 25 of those, the rest were kids books for my nephew to read on my (his?

) Sony 505.

rogue_librarian · 07-30-2010, 11:12 AM

I would, but it's not an option over here (right side of the pond) / our libraries can't be bothered.

texasnightowl · 07-30-2010, 11:15 AM

I can't answer yet because I don't know. My library will start offering ebooks on Monday...so I'll know in a few months if I "regularly", "seldom", or "never" read library ebooks.

Graham · 07-30-2010, 11:20 AM

I will as soon as it gets activated in my county (reportedly any day now). The UK's getting there slowly.

I did once borrow a book from the experimental Fictionwise library.

(Didn't answer the poll as it needs the option: "my local library does not yet support this funciton".)

Graham

suecsi · 07-30-2010, 11:23 AM

Coverage in the UK is patchy, at best - even the London Lending Libraries Consortium only has 15 of the 32 London borough councils signed up (though last time I looked it was only about 8 so I guess it is growing).

My mum lives in one of the areas covered so I use her details to borrow books.

I have asked my council (Hounslow) if they are thinking about it but no answer.

Hellmark · 07-30-2010, 11:27 AM

I've not yet checked out an ebook yet. I am misfortunate enough to not have a library I can go to that does it. I actually am not able to go to a library really. Where I live, I have one about 9 miles away, however because I live outside of the one school district, I do not qualify to get a membership. The two counties to the south I can pay to get a membership, but don't have $80 I can spend on a library membership right now. My university has a deal with Overdrive, but they only offer audiobooks.

I've been considering joining the Philadelphia library since that is only $15 a year for people who aren't residents, and they offer ebooks.

AnemicOak · 07-30-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellmark

I've been considering joining the Philadelphia library since that is only $15 a year for people who aren't residents, and they offer ebooks.

That's one of the two I use and I've found it easily worth it. They are consistent about adding new books too, it's grown quite a bit since I originally signed up.

KarenH · 07-30-2010, 11:29 AM

I feel extremely fortunate to have access to one of the better libraries around as far as ebook collections go (Seattle Public Library). I don't have any hard numbers, but I would estimate that about half of the books I read come from the library. And even with such a great selection through the SPL, I also just recently got a card from the Free Library of Philadelphia. Their collection isn't nearly the size of Seattle's (yet, they're growing fast) but I've already found enough titles there that Seattle doesn't carry to cover the cost of the membership.

Graham · 07-30-2010, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suecsi

I have asked my council (Hounslow) if they are thinking about it but no answer.

I moved from Hounslow borough up to North Yorkshire a couple of years ago. I wrote to the council here back in March and got the reply that it was being implemented and they hoped to go live in 8 weeks. Well, that deadline's passed and budgets have been cut, but I'm ever-hopeful.

Graham

theducks · 07-30-2010, 12:53 PM

No vote category:

I would use my Public Library e-books, if the book I wanted was available when I wanted it

Every title (not front list titles) I wanted, was checked out (are the readers, just letting them time out instead of checking the back in?).

Mickey330 · 07-30-2010, 02:06 PM

I use the library all the time. That's the main reason why I did not go with a Kindle when I first started this e-reader stuff. I currently hold library cards for 7 libraries that have e-books.

Usually, I'll just open the seven web sites and browse for a certain title. First library that has it - with the smallest waiting list, if one's there - that's who I go with.

Or - I'll "browse" the shelves at one of the libraries by searching for only those books that are available to check out. Just like searching the stacks at the local library. I can "waste" hours doing this.

The best thing is that some of the smaller libraries have smaller (or non-existent) waiting lists. I can't remember which book I checked out, but for one book I went looking for, my local library had 0 people on the waiting list and the Free Philly library had 27 (!). It was a top seller too - I was very pleased.

Happy reading.

Marilyn

JuniperPearl · 07-30-2010, 04:01 PM

Most of the ebooks I read are borrowed from the library. I'm lucky in that I'm a NY state resident and have access to the New York Public Library, and my county has a pretty decent selection of ebooks as well. The wait lists can be long, but I request a lot of books at a time and so far haven't been without anything to read.

GraceKrispy · 07-30-2010, 04:26 PM

I put "regularly" because from the time I got my sony in November '08, I read library books almost exclusively. I am normally a huge patron of the library, so why should that change? Unfortunately, I sort of ran out of interesting books, and my library insists upon ordering titles that are of no interest to me *or* titles that I think are much better served as actual physical books (such as "how to" and "dummy's guide to.." and other books I think are easier to use if you flip around as desired rather than just read from to back).

So now I read a lot of free or inexpensive smashwords books instead. If my library would get more books again, I'd be all over checking them out!

Sydney's Mom · 07-30-2010, 04:51 PM

I read almost exclusively library books, although I am reading an Amazon freebie right now, and the formatting is HORRID (Getting Things Done). A year ago, the library was getting mostly romance ebooks, but now they are getting bestsellers. I bought Blockade Billy a couple months ago, but it showed up this month.

View Poll Results: Do you read ebooks borrowed from a library?
I regularly read ebooks borrowed from a library	94	58.02%
I seldom read ebooks borrowed from a library	18	11.11%
I never read ebooks borrowed from a library	42	25.93%
I would but my reader does not support this function	8	4.94%
Voters: 162. You may not vote on this poll

07-30-2010, 11:08 AM	#1
jswinden Nameless Being	Ebook readers and library books If this has been polled lately then apologies for the duplicate, but I couldn't find a recent poll. I'm intersted in how many people actually read ebooks borrowed from a library, and if they do, how many they read. Last edited by jswinden; 07-30-2010 at 11:10 AM.

07-30-2010, 11:29 AM	#9
KarenH Addict Posts: 281 Karma: 37762 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NW Washington State, USA Device: K3	I feel extremely fortunate to have access to one of the better libraries around as far as ebook collections go (Seattle Public Library). I don't have any hard numbers, but I would estimate that about half of the books I read come from the library. And even with such a great selection through the SPL, I also just recently got a card from the Free Library of Philadelphia. Their collection isn't nearly the size of Seattle's (yet, they're growing fast) but I've already found enough titles there that Seattle doesn't carry to cover the cost of the membership. Last edited by KarenH; 07-30-2010 at 11:36 AM. Reason: Add info about FLP

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07-30-2010, 11:11 AM	#2
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	This year I've borrowed around 40 ebooks from the two libraries I have access to. I've read about 25 of those, the rest were kids books for my nephew to read on my (his? ) Sony 505.

07-30-2010, 11:12 AM	#3
rogue_librarian Guru Posts: 973 Karma: 4269175 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Europe Device: Pocketbook Basic 613	I would, but it's not an option over here (right side of the pond) / our libraries can't be bothered.

07-30-2010, 11:15 AM	#4
texasnightowl Guru Posts: 699 Karma: 1001556 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Texas Device: Oasis 3, K4B(NT), K3/KK	I can't answer yet because I don't know. My library will start offering ebooks on Monday...so I'll know in a few months if I "regularly", "seldom", or "never" read library ebooks.

07-30-2010, 11:20 AM	#5
Graham Wizard Posts: 2,743 Karma: 32912427 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: North Yorkshire, UK Device: Kobo H20, Pixel 2, Samsung Chromebook Plus	I will as soon as it gets activated in my county (reportedly any day now). The UK's getting there slowly. I did once borrow a book from the experimental Fictionwise library. (Didn't answer the poll as it needs the option: "my local library does not yet support this funciton".) Graham

07-30-2010, 11:23 AM	#6
suecsi Rock Chick Posts: 429 Karma: 4965 Join Date: May 2009 Location: near Heathrow Device: Kindle 2i, Kindle DX, Kindle 3G	Coverage in the UK is patchy, at best - even the London Lending Libraries Consortium only has 15 of the 32 London borough councils signed up (though last time I looked it was only about 8 so I guess it is growing). My mum lives in one of the areas covered so I use her details to borrow books. I have asked my council (Hounslow) if they are thinking about it but no answer.

07-30-2010, 11:27 AM	#7
Hellmark Wizard Posts: 2,549 Karma: 3799999 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: O'Fallon, Missouri, USA Device: Nokia N800, PRS-505, Nook STR Glowlight, Kindle 3	I've not yet checked out an ebook yet. I am misfortunate enough to not have a library I can go to that does it. I actually am not able to go to a library really. Where I live, I have one about 9 miles away, however because I live outside of the one school district, I do not qualify to get a membership. The two counties to the south I can pay to get a membership, but don't have $80 I can spend on a library membership right now. My university has a deal with Overdrive, but they only offer audiobooks. I've been considering joining the Philadelphia library since that is only $15 a year for people who aren't residents, and they offer ebooks.

07-30-2010, 12:53 PM	#11
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 29,810 Karma: 54830978 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	No vote category: I would use my Public Library e-books, if the book I wanted was available when I wanted it Every title (not front list titles) I wanted, was checked out (are the readers, just letting them time out instead of checking the back in?).

07-30-2010, 02:06 PM	#12
Mickey330 Addict Posts: 378 Karma: 1107420 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Western New York state (USA) Device: Kindle Oasis & the Kindle app on iDevices	I use the library all the time. That's the main reason why I did not go with a Kindle when I first started this e-reader stuff. I currently hold library cards for 7 libraries that have e-books. Usually, I'll just open the seven web sites and browse for a certain title. First library that has it - with the smallest waiting list, if one's there - that's who I go with. Or - I'll "browse" the shelves at one of the libraries by searching for only those books that are available to check out. Just like searching the stacks at the local library. I can "waste" hours doing this. The best thing is that some of the smaller libraries have smaller (or non-existent) waiting lists. I can't remember which book I checked out, but for one book I went looking for, my local library had 0 people on the waiting list and the Free Philly library had 27 (!). It was a top seller too - I was very pleased. Happy reading. Marilyn

07-30-2010, 04:01 PM	#13
JuniperPearl Enthusiast Posts: 38 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New York Device: Sony PRS-505, Kindle 2, Kindle Fire, iPhone 5, Kindle Voyage	Most of the ebooks I read are borrowed from the library. I'm lucky in that I'm a NY state resident and have access to the New York Public Library, and my county has a pretty decent selection of ebooks as well. The wait lists can be long, but I request a lot of books at a time and so far haven't been without anything to read.

07-30-2010, 04:26 PM	#14
GraceKrispy It's Dr. Penguin now! Posts: 3,909 Karma: 4705733 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: (USA) Device: iPad mini, Samsung Note 3, Sony PRS-650 (rarely used now)	I put "regularly" because from the time I got my sony in November '08, I read library books almost exclusively. I am normally a huge patron of the library, so why should that change? Unfortunately, I sort of ran out of interesting books, and my library insists upon ordering titles that are of no interest to me or titles that I think are much better served as actual physical books (such as "how to" and "dummy's guide to.." and other books I think are easier to use if you flip around as desired rather than just read from to back). So now I read a lot of free or inexpensive smashwords books instead. If my library would get more books again, I'd be all over checking them out!

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07-30-2010, 04:51 PM	#15
Sydney's Mom Wizard Posts: 2,895 Karma: 6995721 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Idaho, on the side of a mountain Device: Kindle Oasis, Fire 3d Gen and 5th Gen and Samsung Tab S	I read almost exclusively library books, although I am reading an Amazon freebie right now, and the formatting is HORRID (Getting Things Done). A year ago, the library was getting mostly romance ebooks, but now they are getting bestsellers. I bought Blockade Billy a couple months ago, but it showed up this month.