Afictionado - first ebook subscription service? - Page 2

elemenoP · 10-20-2011, 08:05 AM

This is a UK service. Do many libraries in the UK offer ebooks? If you are a UK resident, can you join any library in the country, or do you have to live in the area that the library serves?

eP

potpneherb · 10-20-2011, 08:14 AM

I think you need an address in the library's catchment area, I know Liverpool library has an ebook lending program but the selection just isn't very good. When I had a look I found that they would have books 2 and 5 in a series or something similar which I found strange

andyh2000 · 10-20-2011, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by potpneherb

I think you need an address in the library's catchment area

Not necessarily, so it's worth checking. I joined Luton library (http://www.lutonlibraries.co.uk/) despite not living there - you just have to pay them a physical visit once to show them your id when you join.

Andrew

stonetools · 10-20-2011, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CommonReader

Well, my public library allows me to borrow up to 99 (!) electronic media at the same time. This service costs me 10 € (13.70 USD)/year.
4 books don't sound very alluring for a commercial subscription service.

Ah, but what is your selection like ? If its anything like my library, its limited.
If this service offers a better selection, then its worth paying the money.

Your library offers DVDs and CDs that you can borrow free, too. Yet iTunes and Netflix are flourishing businesses.

jersysman · 10-20-2011, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stonetools

Ah, but what is your selection like ? If its anything like my library, its limited.
If this service offers a better selection, then its worth paying the money.

Your library offers DVDs and CDs that you can borrow free, too. Yet iTunes and Netflix are flourishing businesses.

One difference with Netflix - at least you can turn back in the movie as soon as you are done with it and not have to wait two weeks to return it. With a system such as that, they have capped your "borrowing" to no more than 8 books a month (provided you get the maximum of 4 out at a time).

I'm sure somewhere a system like this could work. It would need to be a lace that does not have decent library coverage. I live in SE PA and the libraries are all over the place, so it would have a very hard time taking hold here.

potpneherb · 10-20-2011, 11:12 AM

I think the reason it's capped at 8 books a month is so that royalties to the publisher are not spread too thin. I think they are going to have the first chapter of books available for subscribers to read online so you can get a feel for the book before you loan it although I'm not to sure about that.

kennyc · 10-25-2011, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsJoseph

That sounds like a very expensive library card...I'd rather just keep my library card and call it a day.

Exactly. I say Support the Public Libraries!

(this is very akin to School vouchers as far as I'm concerned -- hate them too!)

xg4bx · 10-25-2011, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

Exactly. I say Support the Public Libraries!

(this is very akin to School vouchers as far as I'm concerned -- hate them too!)

i've gotta agree with that. cut the nonsense out of public education and you won't need school vouchers.

MrsJoseph · 10-25-2011, 10:35 AM

OMG, Sooooo true! I can't understand it myself. The county I live in has the HIGHEST property taxes and the POOREST schools in the area. It drives me CRAZY that there are no libraries in walking (shit, barely driving) distance AND the kids here get piss poor educations. Library? What's a library? Do you mean it's a place where kids in school can use books? Strange thing, that. The kids here have great parks & recreation.

I see private school in my children's futures.

kennyc · 10-25-2011, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsJoseph

OMG, Sooooo true! I can't understand it myself. The county I live in has the HIGHEST property taxes and the POOREST schools in the area. It drives me CRAZY that there are no libraries in walking (shit, barely driving) distance AND the kids here get piss poor educations. Library? What's a library? Do you mean it's a place where kids in school can use books? Strange thing, that. The kids here have great parks & recreation.

I see private school in my children's futures.

Yeah the big thing on our city vote this year is a multi-million-dollar recreation center ..... and they are closing libraries!

MrsJoseph · 10-25-2011, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kennyc

Yeah the big thing on our city vote this year is a multi-million-dollar recreation center ..... and they are closing libraries!

What is that about??! I don't give a good damn if my kid has great recreation if he/she can't read. Sheesh. Since when did extracurricular activities become more important than the education itself?

kennyc · 10-25-2011, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrsJoseph

What is that about??! I don't give a good damn if my kid has great recreation if he/she can't read. Sheesh. Since when did extracurricular activities become more important than the education itself?

Apparently that is exactly the case here. We'll see if the vote passes or not. There was a "save the libraries" vote last year that failed.

jersysman · 10-25-2011, 11:45 AM

Rec centers serve as glorified babysitters - that is probably the appeal.

SCION · 10-25-2011, 11:56 AM

I want recreations centers AND libraries. Perhaps we could have both if churches were no longer exempt from income/property/sales taxes. It's a shame that teachers are being fired throughout the country because of budget reasons. That's all I have to say so that I'm not flagged for the Politics and Religion forum.

10-25-2011, 11:56 AM	#29
SCION Séduisant Posts: 4,706 Karma: 2107018 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Texas, USA Device: Boox Note Air2+; Kobo Libra2; Kindle Scribe, Oasis3; iPad Mini6	I want recreations centers AND libraries. Perhaps we could have both if churches were no longer exempt from income/property/sales taxes. It's a shame that teachers are being fired throughout the country because of budget reasons. That's all I have to say so that I'm not flagged for the Politics and Religion forum. Last edited by SCION; 10-25-2011 at 12:00 PM.

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10-20-2011, 08:05 AM	#16
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	This is a UK service. Do many libraries in the UK offer ebooks? If you are a UK resident, can you join any library in the country, or do you have to live in the area that the library serves? eP

10-20-2011, 08:14 AM	#17
potpneherb Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Preston, Lancashire, England Device: Sony PRS 300	I think you need an address in the library's catchment area, I know Liverpool library has an ebook lending program but the selection just isn't very good. When I had a look I found that they would have books 2 and 5 in a series or something similar which I found strange

10-20-2011, 11:12 AM	#21
potpneherb Junior Member Posts: 9 Karma: 10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Preston, Lancashire, England Device: Sony PRS 300	I think the reason it's capped at 8 books a month is so that royalties to the publisher are not spread too thin. I think they are going to have the first chapter of books available for subscribers to read online so you can get a feel for the book before you loan it although I'm not to sure about that.

10-25-2011, 10:35 AM	#24
MrsJoseph Loves Ellipsis... Posts: 1,554 Karma: 7899232 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Washington, DC Device: Kobo Wifi (broken), nook STR (returned), Kobo Touch, Sony T1	OMG, Sooooo true! I can't understand it myself. The county I live in has the HIGHEST property taxes and the POOREST schools in the area. It drives me CRAZY that there are no libraries in walking (shit, barely driving) distance AND the kids here get piss poor educations. Library? What's a library? Do you mean it's a place where kids in school can use books? Strange thing, that. The kids here have great parks & recreation. I see private school in my children's futures.

10-25-2011, 11:45 AM	#28
jersysman Wizard Posts: 1,747 Karma: 3761220 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Device: T1 Red, Kindle Fire, Kindle PW, PW2, Nook HD+, Kobo Mini, Aura HD	Rec centers serve as glorified babysitters - that is probably the appeal.

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