Library

[amyberta]

I have 4 librarys I can go to. When I reserve a book for my Kindle, is it for all the librarys in my county or is it just for one libary? I was wondering if I can go online to the others and try to reserve the book, if they have more copies.

Thanks

[Luvmy4brats]

If the libraries are within the same county, it's usually the same eBook library...

[davem2bits]

Does the website mention anything about the libraries sharing with another library?

Here is an example of my library's overdrive site which mentions it is a consortium of libraries in Oregon.  When I log into my account, the first option is a pull down list showing all the libraries partipating.  If your library's Overdrive site doesn't show that, then they are probably all on their own.

http://library2go.lib.overdrive.com/

[amyberta]

Okay, thanks, I guess it's only one place where I can get the books.

[krm0789]

My library card allows me to request books from any other library in Central MA that's part of the system, which is great when my library doesn't have the physical books I need but bad in terms of ebooks b/c we all share one library on Overdrive, which means getting in line with pretty much everyone from central MA. My guess is that those 4 libraries share one central account on Overdrive.

[Luvmy4brats]

Check with the library system in a neighboring county. They may use a different system, and then you'd be able to check books out from more than one library. I actually have cards at 6 libraries (all different systems) so I have a large selection of books to choose from.

[Betsy the Quilter]

Check with the library system in a neighboring county. They may use a different system, and then you'd be able to check books out from more than one library. I actually have cards at 6 libraries (all different systems) so I have a large selection of books to choose from.

Good point...on your library's regular webpage, it should tell you what neighboring systems your has reciprocity with.  Then check those systems to see if they have ebooks.

Fairfax County, where I live, has reciprocity with both Washington, DC and Arlington County, among others.

Betsy

[amyberta]

I'm in Palm Beach Count,Fl. I didn't see anything about being able to borrow
from neighboring counties. I think I'll call tomorrow and ask.

[drenee]

I have a library card from a town in Ohio.  There are a couple dozen libraries I can physically walk into and borrow a book with my card.  There is only one site for ebooks for all of those libraries. 
deb

[Alice Coyl]

I just checked out borrowing books from my library. In a county of more than 2 million people, it is sad that the library system has 1 copy of each book I looked at. Of all the recent 200 releases, there were none with 2 copies. Not too many waiting in line but each book can be checked out for 21 days and renewed once so even if there are 3 or 4 people waiting, it might be awhile before a book is available. One of the newer books had 34 waiting so it might be next year before it is available.

I guess I'm impatient. When I want to read a book, I want to read it right away...not weeks from now.

[Betsy the Quilter]

This is a very new (in the grand scheme of things) system for libraries to participate in, in an era where services are being cut back.  I think as more people have ereaders, more copies will be purchased.  And there's always the options of buying the ebook, buying the paper book, or borrowing a paper book. 

Betsy

[drenee]

You have the ability to renew.  I do not have that ability.  Which is kind of good.  I try not to get books I think I may not get to.  On my Sony though, as long as I do not go out of the book I can continue to read past the due date. 
deb

[Betsy the Quilter]

We can't renew, though we can check the book out again (if we can get to it.  )

Betsy

[Luvmy4brats]

The problem is that ebooks cost considerably more for the libraries than paper books do.. Libraries can usually get the paper book for 40% off, but they pay full price for the eBook. With budget cuts, libraries just can't afford to get as many copies..

Since you're in California, I believe you can get cards at just about any county there as long as you go into the library and pick up your card. I highly recommend checking out neighboring counties and getting cards from them. You might have a better selection that way.

[Alice Coyl]

The problem is that ebooks cost considerably more for the libraries than paper books do.. Libraries can usually get the paper book for 40% off, but they pay full price for the eBook. With budget cuts, libraries just can't afford to get as many copies..

Since you're in California, I believe you can get cards at just about any county there as long as you go into the library and pick up your card. I highly recommend checking out neighboring counties and getting cards from them. You might have a better selection that way.

I'm going to run over to my neighborhood library tomorrow and see what I can find out about borrowing from other counties. Our own library system requires residency to borrow paper books but they may have a different policy about the e-books. I'll know more tomorrow after I check in person. My library card needs renewal anyway so now is the time to do it.

[Luvmy4brats]

I know Los Angles County Library (not sure how far you're willing to drive) allows residents of California to get a card. It doesn't matter where in California you live. They've got a great selection of ebooks from what I've seen.

You could make it a day trip. (stop in Laguna Beach for some lunch and shopping and browse through the Wyland galleries). <sniff> I SO miss southern Cali.

[Meemo]

You have the ability to renew.  I do not have that ability.  Which is kind of good.  I try not to get books I think I may not get to.  On my Sony though, as long as I do not go out of the book I can continue to read past the due date.  
deb

Apparently that's true of Kindle library books too, as long as you don't turn on wireless.  The first book I checked out for Kindle expired a couple of days ago, but I can still open & read it.  I just turned on wifi, with that book open, and it's still there, still readable.  Then I went back to Home Page and immediately the message "Loan Ended" was on the line before the title of that book.  So don't panic & start chugging Red Bull if you're not quite through with that library book and it's about to expire - just be sure your wifi is off until you're finished.  

[Alice Coyl]

I know Los Angles County Library (not sure how far you're willing to drive) allows residents of California to get a card. It doesn't matter where in California you live. They've got a great selection of ebooks from what I've seen.

You could make it a day trip. (stop in Laguna Beach for some lunch and shopping and browse through the Wyland galleries). <sniff> I SO miss southern Cali.

Lunch in Laguna Beach....shopping...I would never make it to the library. I did check the Los Angeles County Library site and they do allow all California residents to check out books...physical or e-books. I'm wondering if they would accept a San Diego County library card. More research to be done.

It would be a day trip...I may just have to take a drive.

[Elk]

Libraries can usually get the paper book for 40% off, but they pay full price for the eBook.

Very unfortunate and frustrating.

[luvshihtzu]

amyberta,
Being that you live in Florida, you can join the Alachua County Library online.  I think you have to have a Florida driver's license  They have a wonderful Overdrive and EBSCO system.  I have checked and their waiting list is shorter than many others.  The EBSCO system has only audiobooks, but a great list of authors including Sandra Dallas, Margaret Maron, Ivan Doig, Nevada Barr, and Katie MacAlister.

[amyberta]

amyberta,
Being that you live in Florida, you can join the Alachua County Library online.  I think you have to have a Florida driver's license  They have a wonderful Overdrive and EBSCO system.  I have checked and their waiting list is shorter than many others.  The EBSCO system has only audiobooks, but a great list of authors including Sandra Dallas, Margaret Maron, Ivan Doig, Nevada Barr, and Katie MacAlister.

Thanks, I don't usually listen to audiobooks, unless I'm going on a trip, but maybe I'll check it out. I just spoke to someone in the library and I can't go to another county unless I want to pay for a library card there.That's for the ebooks.

[Luvmy4brats]

Sure you can.. I know Alachua is open to all Florida residents for free and I believe there are others.. Just check your neighboring counties.

http://www.aclib.us/cards

ACLD (Alachua County) library cards are free to any resident of the state of Florida. Florida residents ages 18 and older may get a library card in person at any ACLD location. Adults need a picture ID with current address. Minors (17 and under) need a parent or guardian's signature
eCards

An ACLD eCard provides remote access to premium information resources such as databases and eBooks. Registration is available online. You will need an email address for registration confirmation. Access to databases is available immediately after registration. Please allow up to 48 hours for processing before using OverDrive for digital media downloads. Downloadable media from OverDrive will not be accessible to out-of-state users.

[Meemo]

Sure you can.. I know Alachua is open to all Florida residents for free and I believe there are others.. Just check your neighboring counties.

http://www.aclib.us/cards

You can also apply for the Alachua eCard online - you do have to provide a Florida address & some type of Florida driver's license/ID #when you apply.  Application is here:  http://www.aclib.us/my-account/ecard

Unless something's changed since I got my card, you have to wait a couple of days for it to be activated to be able to check out books.  But I think I could start a wish list as soon as I got my card #, which came back to me immediately after applying.

[labread]

I have library cards to 3 different libraries, and they get me access to 2 digital library systems. I have place books on hold at both and received my first in only one day; that was a great surprise!  The others have longer holds, so it is unpredictable when they will become available.  With my local city library, I am able to put a hold on "freeze" which would allow me to move up to the first space in the hold queue and then remain there until I am ready for the book, at which time I get the next copy.  I wonder if this system will become available for digital libraries?  I am concerned my holds will become available at one time, and I will not be able to finish the books.  Hmm, maybe I'll fire off an email to the digital libraries.  So far, I've been please with the selection, and the larger library I hold a card to seems to have lots of copies with not too many waiting.

[luvshihtzu]

Meemo and Luvmy4brats,
Thank you for coming to the rescue with more information regarding Alachua County.  Don't you just hate all these misinformed people in the libraries who go out of their way to give bogus information to others?  I have had the same problem with trying to join the Greater Phoenix Library System in Arizona.  Their online information states that anyone in Arizona can join to use their on-line Overdrive services for $40-45 per year, but when you call the library directly, you are told that no way can you use the online services.  So annoying.  It is all kind of like dealing with Kindle Customer Service and getting someone who is new or just doesn't know anything.

amyberta,
You can also join the Free Philadelphia Library online for $35 per year and you don't have to live in Pennsylvania.  Their hold lines are fairly long, but it is still a great deal for the price.  I even use their Freegal service that allows 3 free music downloads per week from the Sony music catalog.  Have been adding music to my library each week and have added a couple of free albums already.