Brooklyn Library discontinuing out-of-state library cards

[issybird]

Originally Posted by spacepope

I signed up for Stark Library after reading this reddit thread, and I got a card within a few days! They were really kind and it has a LOT of titles my local library does not. It's only $30... if I read 4 books on it it'll be worth it! Which I most definitely will.

Wow, that’s a great find.

I have nine months to go at Brooklyn and that’s sufficient for my needs. However, for $30 I think I’m sold. Ideally I’d like to future proof my library borrowing by more than three months, but I’m also a little fearful that the out-of-state cards will disappear. I think it’s mostly costs but there’s also the element of pressure from publishers and the issue of digital rights. How long can I play chicken on this?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Renate

Too bad this forum doesn't support tables in BB code:
Here is a pasteup from another forum:

Which forum?

[Renate]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Which forum?

No, I mean that I first formatted it as a table for here and saw that it didn't understand the BB code.
So I went to another of my forums (that has nothing to do with books) pasted the text as a reply, hit preview, screen captured that, then aborted the reply.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Renate

No, I mean that I first formatted it as a table for here and saw that it didn't understand the BB code.
So I went to another of my forums (that has nothing to do with books) pasted the text as a reply, hit preview, screen captured that, then aborted the reply.

Gotcha, and thanks

[John F]

Originally Posted by spacepope

I signed up for Stark Library after reading this reddit thread, and I got a card within a few days! They were really kind and it has a LOT of titles my local library does not. It's only $30... if I read 4 books on it it'll be worth it! Which I most definitely will.

My local library has 35K ebooks and 15K audiobooks. My state library has 28K ebooks and 14K audiobooks. Both are rather good collections, and I can't complain too much. But I love SFF and both my local and state libraries are lacking in that regard. Stark Library seems to help solve this problem

Does the Stark library have Overdrive? I did a google and couldn't find a link, and the Stark site only mentions libby.

[issybird]

Originally Posted by John F

Does the Stark library have Overdrive? I did a google and couldn't find a link, and the Stark site only mentions libby.

Yeah, I bobbled on that, too; I even changed the url from .org to .overdrive.com which works with my other libraries, but no joy. However, it seems that the Stark library accesses the Ohio Digital Library:

https://ohdbks.overdrive.com/

[ApK]

Originally Posted by John F

Does the Stark library have Overdrive? I did a google and couldn't find a link, and the Stark site only mentions libby.

It does appear to. Most of their audio book links show an Overdrive option. It appears to use this link:


https://ohdbks.overdrive.com


I'm inferring this from what I, as a non-card holder see on the site.

[Catlady]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Another thing I'll do. If I want a book that's not yet released, I'll recommend it at a number of libraries so hopefully, this book will be bought and i'll not be too high on the wait list at least at one library.

Ditto. I do this often to ensure a good hold position if the book is purchased.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by Catlady

Ditto. I do this often to ensure a good hold position if the book is purchased.

And even if the eBook is purchased and show one copy as coming soon, I'll still put a hold on it if I can. I find that sometimes more copies will be purchased when the eBook is released.

[John F]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And even if the eBook is purchased and show one copy as coming soon, I'll still put a hold on it if I can. I find that sometimes more copies will be purchased when the eBook is released.

Which is the nice thing about OCLS and Brooklyn (and I think Metro), I believe they try to keep the relative hold queue length at ~5. Whereas my "home" library, which serves about 1/2 the state, just buys a couple of copies regardless of the number of people waiting.

[Fbone]

I found a couple more libraries.

St Louis City Library 50,000 titles. You must become "friend of the library" and they give you a card for a $40 donation annually. Online application.
https://www.slpl.org/slpl-foundation/become-a-friend/

Toledo Ohio 88,000 titles for $75. Need to call 419-259-5200 and they set you up. I spoke to them and it's no problem.

[Renate]

At this rate I could become a book wh... I mean promiscuous.
Since they are all OverDrive maybe we need an app to scrape/search them all?
Right now, I have 4 (legitimate) OverDrive accounts.
It's a bit tedious to synchronize them all.

[Fbone]

Miami-Dade County $65 for 51,000 titles. Apply by email customercare@mdpls.org

[Renate]

Ok, folks. We have to get serious.
That means a real database of out-of-state potential.
That means:
1) application email/website/whatever
2) main library website
3) OverDrive website
4) Statistics (which could be updated automatically?)
We need an automated process to find out which library has which volume available.
Automated holds/wish list/recommended would be an advanced option.

Hmm...
https://developer.overdrive.com/discovery-apis

[tubemonkey]

We've only scratched the surface on libraries offering non-resident library cards. With over 9,000 public libraries in the US, who wants to visit each website and see which ones do?