Borrowing eBooks From Libraries

naquada · 01-05-2010, 11:39 AM

I'd hoped that my local library (Reading, UK) would have the ability to borrow Ebooks but it seems it doesnt

a lot of libraries run an ebook borrowing service through Overdrive (www.overdrive.com) you can hunt for libraries close to you through their partner search at - http://search.overdrive.com/

Theres a whole bunch in the USA and other countries and in the uk Bedfordshire, Croydon, Dorset, Essex, Hatfield, Kensington and Chelsea, Kent, Maidenhead, Merseyside, Wessex, and West Berkshire libraries all support ebook borrowing..

The Sony site only lists a few of the UK (4 i think!)

apologies if you already know this but seems a great way to borrow ebooks.. for free

desertgrandma · 01-05-2010, 11:59 AM

Welcome to MobileRead, naquada

Thanks for the information,.......even if some of us already know it, its something that can't be posted too often!

Enjoy some of the free books available here....

spideog · 01-05-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naquada

The Sony site only lists a few of the UK (4 i think!)

I've a feeling that page on the Sony site is only listing a "random" 4 based on some kind of IP lookup. When I look at that page it shows me the names of 2/3 of the libraries in Ireland that are listed on the Overdrive site, and then a couple of random ones from the UK to fill in the space.

gwynevans · 01-05-2010, 06:56 PM

I think the 4 it lists are the only 4 in the UK doing eBooks - I did a post about it on my website - Free eBooks from your local library? but what I don't spell out there is that you don't actually need to live in Essex to sign up for their lending program...

omk3 · 01-05-2010, 09:43 PM

Welcome naquada, and thanks for reminding me. I had been meaning to sign up in a library but kept forgetting. Thanks for the extra info Gwyn, it's true that the Essex library lets you sign up regardless of where in the UK you live. Their collection is not great, but I expect it will be growing.

K8Ereader · 01-07-2010, 09:14 AM

I saw the Essex Library said you could join if you lived or worked in Essex, didn't realise that you could still get e-books though. I shall go and have a look...

omk3 · 01-07-2010, 09:17 AM

In the registration form, there was a drop-down menu for county, and it listed Hertfordshire among others. I took it to mean that I could register even though I lived in Hertfordshire... Have already borrowed an ebook and an audiobook. About half of their ebook collection is in mobi format, the other half epub, if anyone's interested.

K8Ereader · 01-07-2010, 09:30 AM

I've got a registration number, but the e-mail says I need to 'collect a library card' from an Essex library...bit tricky!

omk3 · 01-07-2010, 09:33 AM

I took it to mean that you need a library card if you want to borrow physical items. I logged in with my email and password and borrowed my books just fine, and I've never been near Essex.

K8Ereader · 01-07-2010, 09:39 AM

So is it the elan number or the pin needed to 'sign in' for ebooks? These are the only numbers I have, I thought maybe the card had yet another number...

omk3 · 01-07-2010, 09:44 AM

It's one of those, I don't remember which

I got it right after two or three tries. Username is your email, password one of the other numbers you got, if I remember correctly.

K8Ereader · 01-07-2010, 09:54 AM

Thanks for your help, I'm at least allowed to place things in basket now! Looking good for borrowing my first ebook by the end of the day...if I can decide...

And it worked! Thanks again. Didn't need the username, just the reference number, odd but there you go.
I had the choice of 7, 14 or 21 day loan which was an unexpected bonus

omk3 · 01-07-2010, 10:03 AM

Good luck choosing your first library ebook

You can also place on hold items that are currently read by someone else. You are supposed to be notified by email when they are "returned".

spideog · 01-07-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omk3

In the registration form, there was a drop-down menu for county, and it listed Hertfordshire among others. I took it to mean that I could register even though I lived in Hertfordshire... Have already borrowed an ebook and an audiobook. About half of their ebook collection is in mobi format, the other half epub, if anyone's interested.

I cannot see anywhere to register on their libraries website, where abouts is it hidden?

omk3 · 01-07-2010, 11:27 AM

Here's the link.
It is a bit hidden, admittedly.

01-05-2010, 11:39 AM	#1
naquada Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 24 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Sony Touch	Borrowing eBooks From Libraries I'd hoped that my local library (Reading, UK) would have the ability to borrow Ebooks but it seems it doesnt a lot of libraries run an ebook borrowing service through Overdrive (www.overdrive.com) you can hunt for libraries close to you through their partner search at - http://search.overdrive.com/ Theres a whole bunch in the USA and other countries and in the uk Bedfordshire, Croydon, Dorset, Essex, Hatfield, Kensington and Chelsea, Kent, Maidenhead, Merseyside, Wessex, and West Berkshire libraries all support ebook borrowing.. The Sony site only lists a few of the UK (4 i think!) apologies if you already know this but seems a great way to borrow ebooks.. for free

01-07-2010, 09:54 AM	#12
K8Ereader Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 350 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Norfolk UK Device: Sony PRS-600	Thanks for your help, I'm at least allowed to place things in basket now! Looking good for borrowing my first ebook by the end of the day...if I can decide... And it worked! Thanks again. Didn't need the username, just the reference number, odd but there you go. I had the choice of 7, 14 or 21 day loan which was an unexpected bonus Last edited by K8Ereader; 01-07-2010 at 10:13 AM. Reason: Update

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01-05-2010, 11:59 AM	#2
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462843 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	Welcome to MobileRead, naquada Thanks for the information,.......even if some of us already know it, its something that can't be posted too often! Enjoy some of the free books available here....

01-05-2010, 06:56 PM	#4
gwynevans Wizzard Posts: 1,402 Karma: 2000000 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: iPad 2, iPhone 6s, Kindle Voyage & Kindle PaperWhite	I think the 4 it lists are the only 4 in the UK doing eBooks - I did a post about it on my website - Free eBooks from your local library? but what I don't spell out there is that you don't actually need to live in Essex to sign up for their lending program...

01-05-2010, 09:43 PM	#5
omk3 Wizard Posts: 1,454 Karma: 37243 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Europe Device: pocketbook 360, kindle 4	Welcome naquada, and thanks for reminding me. I had been meaning to sign up in a library but kept forgetting. Thanks for the extra info Gwyn, it's true that the Essex library lets you sign up regardless of where in the UK you live. Their collection is not great, but I expect it will be growing.

01-07-2010, 09:14 AM	#6
K8Ereader Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 350 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Norfolk UK Device: Sony PRS-600	I saw the Essex Library said you could join if you lived or worked in Essex, didn't realise that you could still get e-books though. I shall go and have a look...

01-07-2010, 09:17 AM	#7
omk3 Wizard Posts: 1,454 Karma: 37243 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Europe Device: pocketbook 360, kindle 4	In the registration form, there was a drop-down menu for county, and it listed Hertfordshire among others. I took it to mean that I could register even though I lived in Hertfordshire... Have already borrowed an ebook and an audiobook. About half of their ebook collection is in mobi format, the other half epub, if anyone's interested.

01-07-2010, 09:30 AM	#8
K8Ereader Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 350 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Norfolk UK Device: Sony PRS-600	I've got a registration number, but the e-mail says I need to 'collect a library card' from an Essex library...bit tricky!

01-07-2010, 09:33 AM	#9
omk3 Wizard Posts: 1,454 Karma: 37243 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Europe Device: pocketbook 360, kindle 4	I took it to mean that you need a library card if you want to borrow physical items. I logged in with my email and password and borrowed my books just fine, and I've never been near Essex.

01-07-2010, 09:39 AM	#10
K8Ereader Connoisseur Posts: 63 Karma: 350 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Norfolk UK Device: Sony PRS-600	So is it the elan number or the pin needed to 'sign in' for ebooks? These are the only numbers I have, I thought maybe the card had yet another number...

01-07-2010, 09:44 AM	#11
omk3 Wizard Posts: 1,454 Karma: 37243 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Europe Device: pocketbook 360, kindle 4	It's one of those, I don't remember which I got it right after two or three tries. Username is your email, password one of the other numbers you got, if I remember correctly.

01-07-2010, 10:03 AM	#13
omk3 Wizard Posts: 1,454 Karma: 37243 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Europe Device: pocketbook 360, kindle 4	Good luck choosing your first library ebook You can also place on hold items that are currently read by someone else. You are supposed to be notified by email when they are "returned".

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01-07-2010, 11:27 AM	#15
omk3 Wizard Posts: 1,454 Karma: 37243 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Europe Device: pocketbook 360, kindle 4	Here's the link. It is a bit hidden, admittedly.