E-book problems checking out at local library

[rhyta]

I wasn't sure where to put this but thought I would give it a go and see if anyone else is having this problem.

I have checked out e-books for over 10 years at my local library using Overdrive and transferring them to my Nook with Adobe Digital Editions. It has been an easy process and I have read many books thanks to this program.

Overdrive has made major changes recently, they stopped downloading MP3 files for audio books as of the 13th of November. Libby is the program they use now and makes it so you can only check them out on a smart phone. After talking with my librarian they thought the process to check out e-books would not be affected, e-pub format will still be available as far as they knew. I was concerned because it only spoke about using a Kindle through Libby for e-books. It wasn't clear if Overdrive was completely going away either. So I was not sure what would happen.

I checked one e-book out a few weeks ago and had a weird experience, after I had downloaded the file through Overdrive onto my computer, it was trying to open the file in Adobe Acrobat which is not compatible with e-pub files. I managed to open it in ADE by going to file explorer and telling it to open it with the right file and it went to my library just fine. I was then able to transfer it to my Nook.

Tonight I attempted to checkout another e-book and encountered the same issue. But when I tried to transfer the book to my Nook, ADE said I did not have permission to check it out and I could not get it to load. Overdrive showed it was checked out to me but something has been short circuited here.

I know it doesn't make sense that changes to audio files would affect e-pub files but it just seems like this is connected in some way.

Anyone else have this problem or know of someone who has?
I sent a request for help from my library but it will be a few days before I hear back from them.

Just thought someone here might have some insight.

Thanks

[Frogm4n]

Originally Posted by rhyta

Libby is the program they use now and makes it so you can only check them out on a smart phone. After talking with my librarian they thought the process to check out e-books would not be affected, e-pub format will still be available as far as they knew. I was concerned because it only spoke about using a Kindle through Libby for e-books. It wasn't clear if Overdrive was completely going away either. So I was not sure what would happen.

I often check out books through the Libby website. It's a similar UI to the apps, but it works fine in a browser. Kindle is the default that many people are interested in, so that's where they are putting their helpdesk training. Few people will be like us and use a non-Kindle reader, esp. in the US market.

I checked one e-book out a few weeks ago and had a weird experience, after I had downloaded the file through Overdrive onto my computer, it was trying to open the file in Adobe Acrobat which is not compatible with e-pub files. I managed to open it in ADE by going to file explorer and telling it to open it with the right file and it went to my library just fine. I was then able to transfer it to my Nook.

Tonight I attempted to checkout another e-book and encountered the same issue. But when I tried to transfer the book to my Nook, ADE said I did not have permission to check it out and I could not get it to load. Overdrive showed it was checked out to me but something has been short circuited here.

Be sure you haven't activated the "Read Books With" setting. That will automatically checkout the loan in what ever specific format you choose. Set it for "I Have No Preference". That will give you the ability to go to your shelf, tap "Manage Loan" next to your book, tap "Read With..." and tap EPUB. That will send you an ACSM file that you can import to ADE and follow your usual process.

[rhyta]

Originally Posted by Frogm4n

I often check out books through the Libby website. It's a similar UI to the apps, but it works fine in a browser. Kindle is the default that many people are interested in, so that's where they are putting their helpdesk training. Few people will be like us and use a non-Kindle reader, esp. in the US market.



Be sure you haven't activated the "Read Books With" setting. That will automatically checkout the loan in what ever specific format you choose. Set it for "I Have No Preference". That will give you the ability to go to your shelf, tap "Manage Loan" next to your book, tap "Read With..." and tap EPUB. That will send you an ACSM file that you can import to ADE and follow your usual process.

I have never used Libby just because I don't want to read on my phone.
I still wonder if the Overdrive program is messed up now, it never tried to open the epub files in Adobe Acrobat before.
I guess I was lucky I had 12 years to enjoy reading on my Nook. Now it's only good for buying books from B&N.

[Frogm4n]

OverDrive, the consumer app, has been deprecated in favor of Libby for at least a year or two. Libby is the official replacement. You can still download ACSM files with it, as I pointed out.

[Renate]

Unfortunately, Libby sucks.

You sneeze sideways and you've just checked your book out for Kindle.
There is no way to say, "I don't have a Kindle, I will never have a Kindle, please never enable Kindle."
I can't even return the book and I just borrowed the last copy for a week.

[cgsmom]

Originally Posted by rhyta

I have never used Libby just because I don't want to read on my phone.
I still wonder if the Overdrive program is messed up now, it never tried to open the epub files in Adobe Acrobat before.
I guess I was lucky I had 12 years to enjoy reading on my Nook. Now it's only good for buying books from B&N.

I read library books on my Nook all the time. When you sign in with your library card for the first time just make sure you don't check the box that says, "Yes, I use a Kindle". When you check out a book go to your library and select Manage Loan. Download EPUB and it will download the ASCM file that should open automatically in Adobe. Then copy to Nook.

I think I have decided that my next reader will be a Kobo, so library reading should get much easier.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Frogm4n

OverDrive, the consumer app, has been deprecated in favor of Libby for at least a year or two. Libby is the official replacement. You can still download ACSM files with it, as I pointed out.

But Overdrive the site for your library still works.

[rcentros]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But Overdrive the site for your library still works.

It still works for my library as well. My main problem now is that our local library is now part of regional eBook "sharing" library co-op. Now it's much harder to find books that can be borrowed.

[rhyta]

Originally Posted by Frogm4n

OverDrive, the consumer app, has been deprecated in favor of Libby for at least a year or two. Libby is the official replacement. You can still download ACSM files with it, as I pointed out.

Overdrive for Windows made it a simple transfer. Explain how I can get ACSM files from Libby off my phone to listen on a different player.

[rhyta]

Originally Posted by cgsmom

I read library books on my Nook all the time. When you sign in with your library card for the first time just make sure you don't check the box that says, "Yes, I use a Kindle". When you check out a book go to your library and select Manage Loan. Download EPUB and it will download the ASCM file that should open automatically in Adobe. Then copy to Nook.

I think I have decided that my next reader will be a Kobo, so library reading should get much easier.

I have never checked the box for Kindle, I have always selected download EPUB and then when I opened it on my computer Digital Editions opened the file. Now it tries to open it with Adobe Acrobat. I can find the file on the directory of my computer and open it myself with ADE but the program will not recognize it has been checked out so no transfer to the Nook. This has just started happening since they are not supporting Overdrive for Windows.

I was upset about losing audio books to this change now it seems I will not be able to get e-books either. I don't want to read a book on my phone but they are determined to cut that option off.

I refuse to use Kindle because they make you checkout books through their website and I don't think it is any of their business what books I want to read.

[rhyta]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

But Overdrive the site for your library still works.

As I explained in my original post, Overdrive is not working from either of the two libraries I use. I was told I should still be able to check out the e-books but it is not letting me. I also have seen some posts that ADE is not supporting the app for Libby so that may just be the end of line.

[Aleron Ives]

Originally Posted by rhyta

Explain how I can get ACSM files from Libby off my phone to listen on a different player.

The only way to get an ACSM file from Libby that I've found is to visit libbyapp.com in a PC browser and access your loan from there. The Libby Android/iOS app does not have an ACSM option, since ADE is not available on mobile devices.

[cgsmom]

My computer is out for repair right now so I cannot check to see if this is true, but I would look in my settings under default apps and make sure the ACSM file type is associated with ADE. That is the only thing I can think of. I don't listen to Audiobooks, so I cannot help you there.

Good luck.

[PeterT]

On the Libby App on my phone, in the Loan view besides each book I see the options to Open Book and Manage Loan. Selecting Manage Loan I see the options Read With, Return Early and Renew Loan. Selecting Read With I have the options Libby and EPUB. Selecting EPUB I can download the ACSM file which I had no issue transferring to a PC and opening on the PC.

Additionally I tried downloading the Adobe Digital Edition app from the Google Play Store; logged into my Adobe account and was able to use it to open the ACSM file from Libby.

This is all on a Pixel 7a running Android 15.

[Aleron Ives]

Weird. On my tablet, the Libby app does not have an EPUB option at all, and neither does my local library's website. Libbyapp.com was the only place I could find it.