Borrowing e-books from library - OverDrive vs Kindle

menevets · 11-01-2012, 07:17 PM

Which do you prefer if given an option when borrowing e-books from the library?

I like OverDrive because it has more font sizes and there's less spacing between sentences. But the download process is more cumbersome and I can't seem to download the same book to both iPad and iPhone from my library - NYPL.

I like the Kindle because once you borrow a book, it becomes part of your library associated with your account, so downloading to multiple devices is a breeze. Plus the bookmarking across devices.

So if I know I'm sticking to one device, I'll use OverDrive, otherwise, Kindle.

Which do you prefer? Has anyone downloaded the same book to OverDrive from their library to both iPhone and iPad?

dmacmart · 11-03-2012, 10:48 AM

My library Overdrive supports at least 3 downloads. I load it on my iPad, iPhone, and Kobo when I check out a book. (Ottawa Public Library)

Shack70 · 11-03-2012, 11:18 AM

I use both and for ease of use the Kindle is so much easier. No special apps or need to dload it to a PC first.

eggy7 · 01-29-2013, 05:29 AM

I like doing this, too. It is so convenient that I can read any where any time.

kyteflyer · 01-29-2013, 11:40 PM

I like Overdrive too, but sadly my local library uses something entirely different, which requires ADE, and will only download as a pdf file to be read either on my sony reader, or on the computer, or an epub, and that goes directly to Bluefire (which isnt such a bad choice, but there are others). The book source they use is pretty woeful and I have already borrowed and read the 5 books that interested me. Back to other sources, or borrowing hardcopy.

tubemonkey · 01-30-2013, 04:48 AM

The primary use for my iPt4 is audio. I don't read ebooks on it because it has an LCD display and the display is too small.

I don't borrow ebooks on it either because the OverDrive app doesn't support Kindle books and I don't read ePub. But I occasionally use it to borrow MP3 audiobooks.

Since the vast majority of library audiobooks are in WMA, those are the ones I checkout most. The problem is, they're not supported by the OD app. So, I have to use my PC for them. It's a lengthy process too, because the files have to be converted from WMA to some Apple format for playback on iDevices. For example, "2001: A Space Odyssey" took 11.5 minutes to download to my iPod.

So in the end, it's pretty much a useless app for my iPod. However, it's a great app for my Android tablets, because I can check out Kindle books for my Kindle 4 without a computer.

11-01-2012, 07:17 PM	#1
menevets Connoisseur Posts: 88 Karma: 750010 Join Date: Nov 2009 Device: PRS-300/Kindle 4 basic/iPad/iPod Touch/iPhone/Nexus 7	Borrowing e-books from library - OverDrive vs Kindle Which do you prefer if given an option when borrowing e-books from the library? I like OverDrive because it has more font sizes and there's less spacing between sentences. But the download process is more cumbersome and I can't seem to download the same book to both iPad and iPhone from my library - NYPL. I like the Kindle because once you borrow a book, it becomes part of your library associated with your account, so downloading to multiple devices is a breeze. Plus the bookmarking across devices. So if I know I'm sticking to one device, I'll use OverDrive, otherwise, Kindle. Which do you prefer? Has anyone downloaded the same book to OverDrive from their library to both iPhone and iPad? Last edited by menevets; 11-01-2012 at 07:28 PM. Reason: Added

01-29-2013, 05:29 AM	#4
eggy7 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Dec 2012 Device: mtmt1520@gmail.com	it largely change our life. I like doing this, too. It is so convenient that I can read any where any time.

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11-03-2012, 10:48 AM	#2
dmacmart Fanatic Posts: 531 Karma: 696908 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ottawa Canada Device: Kobo Mini, Glo, Arc, H2O, iPhone, iPad 2, (husband)Touch	My library Overdrive supports at least 3 downloads. I load it on my iPad, iPhone, and Kobo when I check out a book. (Ottawa Public Library)

11-03-2012, 11:18 AM	#3
Shack70 Guru Posts: 775 Karma: 1043626 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: York, Pa Device: Kindle Fire 10", Honor 8 Android Phone	I use both and for ease of use the Kindle is so much easier. No special apps or need to dload it to a PC first.

01-29-2013, 11:40 PM	#5
kyteflyer Wizard Posts: 1,841 Karma: 9547754 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Newcastle, Australia Device: iPhone SE2020	I like Overdrive too, but sadly my local library uses something entirely different, which requires ADE, and will only download as a pdf file to be read either on my sony reader, or on the computer, or an epub, and that goes directly to Bluefire (which isnt such a bad choice, but there are others). The book source they use is pretty woeful and I have already borrowed and read the 5 books that interested me. Back to other sources, or borrowing hardcopy.

01-30-2013, 04:48 AM	#6
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,476 Karma: 158151390 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	The primary use for my iPt4 is audio. I don't read ebooks on it because it has an LCD display and the display is too small. I don't borrow ebooks on it either because the OverDrive app doesn't support Kindle books and I don't read ePub. But I occasionally use it to borrow MP3 audiobooks. Since the vast majority of library audiobooks are in WMA, those are the ones I checkout most. The problem is, they're not supported by the OD app. So, I have to use my PC for them. It's a lengthy process too, because the files have to be converted from WMA to some Apple format for playback on iDevices. For example, "2001: A Space Odyssey" took 11.5 minutes to download to my iPod. So in the end, it's pretty much a useless app for my iPod. However, it's a great app for my Android tablets, because I can check out Kindle books for my Kindle 4 without a computer.