Register Guidelines E-Books Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Go Back   MobileRead Forums > E-Book General > General Discussions

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 05-14-2010, 09:20 PM   #1
ficbot
Wizard
ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.ficbot ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 2,409
Karma: 4132096
Join Date: Sep 2008
Device: Kindle Paperwhite/iOS Kindle App
I wonder how libraries choose Overdrive books

I wonder how our local public library decides what books to get from Overdrive each month. Our library seems to have a very schizophrenic buying personality. Awhile ago, ALL the Grishams showed up in one go. Lately there has been a lot of young adult vampire stuff (and I have held off on buying the new Sookie Stackhouse book because I am sure they will get it). And today I checked again, there are three new books and all of them are about Provence. I sent them an email asking for Stephen King and Terry Pratchett; we'll see. But right now it seems like aside from a fixation for all books vampire (they are fairly consistent about stocking that sort of book) it seems very eclectic. Vampires, Grisham and Provence? That just seems so random. At every place I have ever worked, most people didn't 'get' the techie stuff and the people in charge of it were pretty much in their own little world. It amuses me to picture some random guy in a little cubicle in the basement somewhere going 'yes, we need MORE VAMPIRE BOOKS! Mwa ha ha!' And clicking 'buy now' with glee.

Last edited by ficbot; 05-14-2010 at 10:43 PM.
ficbot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2010, 09:40 PM   #2
KarenH
Addict
KarenH can name that ebook in five wordsKarenH can name that ebook in five wordsKarenH can name that ebook in five wordsKarenH can name that ebook in five wordsKarenH can name that ebook in five wordsKarenH can name that ebook in five wordsKarenH can name that ebook in five wordsKarenH can name that ebook in five wordsKarenH can name that ebook in five wordsKarenH can name that ebook in five wordsKarenH can name that ebook in five words
 
KarenH's Avatar
 
Posts: 281
Karma: 37762
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: NW Washington State, USA
Device: K3
The thing I've noticed (and wondered about) at my library is that they seem to have an aversion to carrying all books in a series. Either they'll start with book three or four (when the first one or two are available) or they'll have the first few, skip a couple, then pick it up again. Wouldn't you think that once they start a series, they'd want to complete it?
KarenH is offline   Reply With Quote
Advert
Old 05-14-2010, 10:32 PM   #3
riemann42
Zealot
riemann42 will become famous soon enoughriemann42 will become famous soon enoughriemann42 will become famous soon enoughriemann42 will become famous soon enoughriemann42 will become famous soon enoughriemann42 will become famous soon enough
 
riemann42's Avatar
 
Posts: 121
Karma: 506
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Device: eSlick,nook
They have a fancy algorithm based on randomly buying best sellers for teen girls. Either that, or they have a random teen girl volunteer making their selections (thought bubble: let's see, I already read the first two Richelle Mead books, my friend has the fourth, let's buy three and five).
riemann42 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2010, 10:42 PM   #4
JSWolf
Resident Curmudgeon
JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.JSWolf ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
JSWolf's Avatar
 
Posts: 73,645
Karma: 127837858
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts
Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3
Romance is very popular with eBook buyers for libraries. That does me no good at all.
JSWolf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-14-2010, 11:19 PM   #5
Worldwalker
Curmudgeon
Worldwalker ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Worldwalker ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Worldwalker ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Worldwalker ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Worldwalker ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Worldwalker ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Worldwalker ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Worldwalker ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Worldwalker ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Worldwalker ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Worldwalker ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Posts: 3,085
Karma: 722357
Join Date: Feb 2010
Device: PRS-505
Quote:
Originally Posted by JSWolf View Post
Romance is very popular with eBook buyers for libraries. That does me no good at all.
I am moving to a place where the used bookstores seemingly stock nothing but formula romance novels. Thank heaven for ebooks!
Worldwalker is offline   Reply With Quote
Advert
Old 05-15-2010, 01:17 AM   #6
nikkie
Guru
nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40
 
nikkie's Avatar
 
Posts: 614
Karma: 73700
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: WA, USA
Device: Android, Kindle Paperwhite, lots of ancient readers
I keep wishing there was a way to donate eBooks to the library...but I can't find a thing about it. Anyone know?
nikkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2010, 03:31 AM   #7
neilmarr
neilmarr
neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.neilmarr ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
neilmarr's Avatar
 
Posts: 7,216
Karma: 6000059
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Monaco-Menton, France
Device: sony
You're lucky to be in the US, Nikkie. My wee house is registered in Canada and we're being made to jump through hoops like circus poodles to get our catalogue onto ContentReserve Overdrive. Should be relatively easy for you. And to give them their due, the obstacles aren't put in place by ContentReserve themselves (it's mostly down to US govt red tape), and their staff really do pull out the stops to advise and help. Good luck. Neil
neilmarr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2010, 04:35 AM   #8
MickeyC
Grand Sorcerer
MickeyC ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.MickeyC ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.MickeyC ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.MickeyC ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.MickeyC ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.MickeyC ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.MickeyC ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.MickeyC ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.MickeyC ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.MickeyC ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.MickeyC ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
MickeyC's Avatar
 
Posts: 16,733
Karma: 12185114
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Florida
Device: iPhone 6 plus, Sony T1, iPad 3
Quote:
Originally Posted by nikkie View Post
I keep wishing there was a way to donate eBooks to the library...but I can't find a thing about it. Anyone know?
There is. Check it out here https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83551
MickeyC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2010, 04:57 AM   #9
nikkie
Guru
nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40nikkie is slicker than a case of WD-40
 
nikkie's Avatar
 
Posts: 614
Karma: 73700
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: WA, USA
Device: Android, Kindle Paperwhite, lots of ancient readers
Quote:
Originally Posted by cassidym View Post
That's great, thanks!
nikkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2010, 08:56 AM   #10
SensualPoet
Wizard
SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.SensualPoet ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
SensualPoet's Avatar
 
Posts: 2,302
Karma: 2607151
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Toronto
Device: Kobo Aura HD, Kindle Paperwhite, Asus ZenPad 3, Kobo Glo
When I look at overdrive.com and search for titles, it's as randomly mish-mash as Ficbot says in the OP. Does anyone know if a library can use the Overdrive system to manage DRM and lending, but but their own books and put them into the system? Some well-meaning buyer in Ohio is hardly going to have the pulse on what's important to readers in Winnipeg, Halifax or Toronto.
SensualPoet is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2010, 10:41 AM   #11
Sydney's Mom
Wizard
Sydney's Mom ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Sydney's Mom ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Sydney's Mom ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Sydney's Mom ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Sydney's Mom ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Sydney's Mom ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Sydney's Mom ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Sydney's Mom ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Sydney's Mom ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Sydney's Mom ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.Sydney's Mom ought to be getting tired of karma fortunes by now.
 
Sydney's Mom's Avatar
 
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 have found the Chicago Public Library very responsive. One month they "forgot" to order some romance bundles they had typically ordered every month - I emailed them, they apologized, and the books showed up in a few days. Last month, the three romance bundles were only ordered in epub (used to be pdf and mobi). This month, the mobi is back. It is obvious that they are trying to introduce more YA titles - sometimes a whole slew of them show up mid-month. I'm sure this is in response to requests.

I would say the mix is about 50% romance, 30% fiction bestsellers and 20% nonfiction bestsellers, with an Ann Rand thrown in here and there. This month I got Richard Clarke's new book, Cyber War, Carol Burnett and Sara Silverman, Orange is the New Black, plus a mystery about a murder on the red line in Chicago. I will totally enjoy these books while I am waiting for my guilty pleasures!
Sydney's Mom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2010, 11:04 AM   #12
Bluesman7
Book 'em Danno
Bluesman7 doesn't litterBluesman7 doesn't litter
 
Bluesman7's Avatar
 
Posts: 156
Karma: 180
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Blue Ridge Mtns, NC
Device: Kindle 2
I live in a small county that participates in a statewide digital library.

When I asked about input into the books selected, my library contact advised that we are relegated (due to our small size and probably financial contribution) to being subscribers with no input into the selection process.

The selection is far from ideal but I have found several books worth borrowing.
Bluesman7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2010, 02:51 PM   #13
Hamlet53
Nameless Being
 
Yep, for the system available here the selection is not that large and as a general, but not invariant, statement it is dominated by __ for Dummies, 3 Steps to ___, and such non-fiction titles as well as currently very popular titles for young adults; with some adult bestsellers in the mix.

This selection also sure has the vampires covered as well. In addition to all of Stephanie Meyer's books, we have Blood Sucking Fiends series, the Vampire Academy series, the Dark Guardian series, the Vampire Diaries series, as well as many vampire and/or werewolf books not yet of series status. Yikes I'm afraid to go out at night!

Tolkien where are you?

I'm hoping that offers to donate e-books to the system will be well received in order to broaden the selection.
  Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2010, 11:23 PM   #14
riemann42
Zealot
riemann42 will become famous soon enoughriemann42 will become famous soon enoughriemann42 will become famous soon enoughriemann42 will become famous soon enoughriemann42 will become famous soon enoughriemann42 will become famous soon enough
 
riemann42's Avatar
 
Posts: 121
Karma: 506
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Device: eSlick,nook
My Library does have Lord of the Rings. The eBook isn't bad, but for me, 14 days is too short. Sure, I can read 300 pages a day, but I don't want to read Tolkien that fast.... so of course I bought it.
riemann42 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-15-2010, 11:39 PM   #15
irenas
Zealot
irenas began at the beginning.
 
Posts: 101
Karma: 10
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Orange County
Device: Astak EZ reader
Our 2 libraries have a very good selection of the books on Overdrive, but unfortunately for me i was not able to download a book due to some security update error which i could not overcome...
irenas is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
New OverDrive venture: buy eBooks and support libraries simplyparticular News 23 07-24-2010 05:27 PM
Overdrive Library Books omro Apple Devices 3 05-07-2010 03:35 PM
Questions about Getting Started with Overdrive Books misterken Astak EZReader 27 01-29-2010 09:01 AM
Thanks -- Kindle and Overdrive and Library Books Ocean Kindle Developer's Corner 2 09-23-2009 01:41 PM
How are books chosen for Overdrive? passero News 0 09-01-2009 12:59 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:01 AM.


MobileRead.com is a privately owned, operated and funded community.