A Question for Nook Users

[DVCLiz]

Can you tell me a little about your library use with the Nook?

I've been thinking about this because (you'll know this if you've seen me post on any of the zillion threads about ereaders in the last couple of years) I'm such a proponent of the Kindle and Amazon. Most people who choose the Nook over the Kindle cite the library function as one of the most important benefits of the Nook.

That seems odd to me - why spend the money on an ereader in the first place if the cost of books is the issue? It just seems to me that you lose the major benefit of convenience of owning an ereader if you are having to be on a lengthy waiting list for a bestseller, then are tied to a specific checkout period. What if you don't finish the book in time?

So - if you are limited to the material available and not on a waiting list - the backlist of the ebooks, if you will - couldn't you just as easily find the same quality and amount of titles for free online from the various sources of ebooks? I would think the free books on Amazon alone would give you enough choice, but there are many other websites to visit and many, many sources of free or cheap books.

So what are you reading from the library and how does the selection compare with what's out there for free/cheap? I'm really curious. I see so many posts that say, "I want it primarily for the library function" but what does that REALLY get you access to?

 

[Linda in sunny SC]

Can you tell me a little about your library use with the Nook?

I've been thinking about this because (you'll know this if you've seen me post on any of the zillion threads about ereaders in the last couple of years) I'm such a proponent of the Kindle and Amazon. Most people who choose the Nook over the Kindle cite the library function as one of the most important benefits of the Nook.

That seems odd to me - why spend the money on an ereader in the first place if the cost of books is the issue? It just seems to me that you lose the major benefit of convenience of owning an ereader if you are having to be on a lengthy waiting list for a bestseller, then are tied to a specific checkout period. What if you don't finish the book in time?

So - if you are limited to the material available and not on a waiting list - the backlist of the ebooks, if you will - couldn't you just as easily find the same quality and amount of titles for free online from the various sources of ebooks? I would think the free books on Amazon alone would give you enough choice, but there are many other websites to visit and many, many sources of free or cheap books.

So what are you reading from the library and how does the selection compare with what's out there for free/cheap? I'm really curious. I see so many posts that say, "I want it primarily for the library function" but what does that REALLY get you access to?

I've had my Nook for a little over a month. I mainly chose it because you can find the EPub format books for free and also for purchase from many other sites besides B&N. So far I've read 2 library books on my nook. One of the Sookie Stackhouse series and The Passage. I didn't have to wait for either one although some of the books on the site do have waiting lists. I expect the variety of books offered to increase as more people use the library for download. I would like to check out library books for those that I don't think I'll wish to read again. Let's face it , free is better than paying for a ebook that you may never want to reread.

 

[Suz725]

does anyone have a list of sites to get books for the nook besides B&N?

 

[brasswillow]

does anyone have a list of sites to get books for the nook besides B&N?

Here are some that I use:

http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page Any book that is older and therefore considered public domain is available for download. If you go to their most popular downloads page you'll find a good selection of well known books. If you have the time to search you can also find some interesting lesser known works as well.

http://books.google.com/ Not all the books are full views or available for download, but if you have the time to search it's a good site to use.

http://nooksauce.com/ Has books and screen savers, free for download.

Remember: any .pdf or EPub file can be read on your Nook. For example, there was a law I wanted to read so I downloaded the pdf and now can read it when I get the chance.

Happy reading!

 

[DMRick]

Is the list to get a e library book usually lengthy? For Christmas I am getting Kindle's for two people that purchase books all the time and the Nook for someone who always borrows from the library.
Is there not that much to get from the library, and would she have to always wait a long time to borrow a book?

That seems odd to me - why spend the money on an ereader in the first place if the cost of books is the issue? It just seems to me that you lose the major benefit of convenience of owning an ereader if you are having to be on a lengthy waiting list for a bestseller, then are tied to a specific checkout period. What if you don't finish the book in time?

 

[DVCLiz]

Is the list to get a e library book usually lengthy? For Christmas I am getting Kindle's for two people that purchase books all the time and the Nook for someone who always borrows from the library.
Is there not that much to get from the library, and would she have to always wait a long time to borrow a book?

See, I don't know - that's why I asked earlier. It just seemed odd to me that anyone would find it cost effective to spend so much money on an ereader and then have the same constraints as using the public library for free. I just wanted to know what the availability was - becaus there are so many books in the public domain that are available to ALL ereaders, and so many others that are free or cheap for Kindle. I just wondered how Nook users were using the library collections and if the library selections were really that much better than what you could get as a Kindle owner.

 

[Darcy03231]

I don't have a Nook, but have a Sony and I use our library alot. There is a waiting list on some of the more popular authors, but I don't think I've waited longer than 2-3 weeks for anything that I've placed a hold on.

Our library has quite a good selection and they're always adding new books. One thing that's been good for me is that I've been branching out and trying authors I've never read before because the book is available. While a couple of them haven't been great, none have been truly bad.

My library lets you check out three books at a time and you can keep each book for 2 weeks.

I've also bought some books too. I really don't use the ereader much differently than I did paper books. I read so much that I always used a combination of the library and buying books.

 

[debbi801]

Our library does not have much of an e-book selection, so I joined the Free Library of Philadelphia for 15.00. While I do take advantage of free e-books from various places and also buy e-books from a variety of places; I really enjoy being able to use the library for ebooks, too.

It gives me the ability to check out new releases and not pay for them. It also allows me to try out new authors without buying the books.

I currently checked out and am reading The Nobobies Album by Carolyn Parkhurst. It was just released this summer. I've checked out and read about 15-20 new releases and top sellers since getting my library card in May.

For someone who uses the library for books before getting an e-reader; I think it is a huge perk to be able to continue to make use to the library after getting an e-reader.

 

[bekkiz]

I've checked out a number of new release e-books from our library and never waited more than a week or so.

For me, yeah, the money is an issue. I went through a lengthy period of time where I was buying a book or two every 2-3 days. I ended up with a huge amount of books, no room to store them and and a lot less money!

Since moving to an area with an excellent library system, I haven't bought many books at all, so I'm used to a bit of a wait on new/popular books. Plus I don't have to store them all! I read really fast, so the checkout time isn't an issue (21 days), but it's the same length of time as a regular book, so I'm not sure how having the hard copy is any better.

 

[piglet50]

i, too, am very close to buying an e-reader. the library function is my question also. i live in a very rural area. our county library system doesn't have any accessibility except through a statewide live.org set up. there aren't many fiction books available. it is mostly reference and non-fiction. also, the librarian is not able to give me a lot of information. i've been told that there isn't a server available.

i love to read, and i am afraid i will flip out and spend too much money on books. i currently buy certain books that i want to keep and use the library for others.

i am leaning toward the kindle because i feel that our e-library will take forever to become worth dealing with. i'm just going to have a lot of self-control and make good use of the free books available.

thanks for starting this thread.

 

[bumbershoot]

Is the list to get a e library book usually lengthy? For Christmas I am getting Kindle's for two people that purchase books all the time and the Nook for someone who always borrows from the library.
Is there not that much to get from the library, and would she have to always wait a long time to borrow a book?

I would check with the library they would use most.

For instance, my city's library system *just* started with e-books. And they only buy one "copy" at a time, unless and until they find that the demand is high enough to buy more. So only one person can have a given ebook at one time.

 

[DMRick]

Would they only be able to use the library they use most, or any library that is in our system (their library is very small, but part of a large library system)?
I did email their library to ask about the Nook, but it's closed on Monday. They show that they have ebooks, and they had recent releases, btu I'm confused by them saying they come in Adobe epub or adobe pdf. Is that what the Nook uses?

I would check with the library they would use most..

 

[Darcy03231]

Would they only be able to use the library they use most, or any library that is in our system (their library is very small, but part of a large library system)?
I did email their library to ask about the Nook, but it's closed on Monday. They show that they have ebooks, and they had recent releases, btu I'm confused by them saying they come in Adobe epub or adobe pdf. Is that what the Nook uses?

Our online libraray is a state-wide system and uses Adobe epub.

For those of you that don't have a good local/state library system to borrow from the Free Library of Philadelphia offers a non-resident card for $15/year. They have a great selection of ebooks. I never signed up because ours has quite a bit and adds more every week.

 

[bekkiz]

The nook can use both Adobe PDF (my library calls it Adobe Digital Editions) or EPub (As well as a few others). There's also a great free program http://calibre-ebook.com/ that will convert most of the ebook formats to another one. I know a few people with the Kindle who use it to convert the downloaded library books into a Kindle friendly format.

 

[jme829]

I haven't used the library feature yet, but looking around I think I probably will use it eventually. I like being able to "borrow" the books without having to go physically to the library. Plus I am HORRIBLE about getting library books back on time, so i will save in overrdue book fees too..lol

 

[Tinkh]

I haven't used the library feature yet, but looking around I think I probably will use it eventually. I like being able to "borrow" the books without having to go physically to the library. Plus I am HORRIBLE about getting library books back on time, so i will save in overrdue book fees too..lol

This is me too. I love my Nook. I do buy a lot of books, but having the option for the library is a huge plus. We have a great selection, so if I have to wait for something new, I can always read something else.

 

[RunningGirl]

Can you tell me a little about your library use with the Nook?

I've been thinking about this because (you'll know this if you've seen me post on any of the zillion threads about ereaders in the last couple of years) I'm such a proponent of the Kindle and Amazon. Most people who choose the Nook over the Kindle cite the library function as one of the most important benefits of the Nook.

That seems odd to me - why spend the money on an ereader in the first place if the cost of books is the issue? It just seems to me that you lose the major benefit of convenience of owning an ereader if you are having to be on a lengthy waiting list for a bestseller, then are tied to a specific checkout period. What if you don't finish the book in time?

So - if you are limited to the material available and not on a waiting list - the backlist of the ebooks, if you will - couldn't you just as easily find the same quality and amount of titles for free online from the various sources of ebooks? I would think the free books on Amazon alone would give you enough choice, but there are many other websites to visit and many, many sources of free or cheap books.

So what are you reading from the library and how does the selection compare with what's out there for free/cheap? I'm really curious. I see so many posts that say, "I want it primarily for the library function" but what does that REALLY get you access to?

I read A LOT of books. I am now considering a Nook since I can get free books from my library. The selection seems to be very good for new releases. For me it's the convenience of not having to go to the library to check out/return books. I also currently buy a lot of books and would like to cut back on that. It only takes a few hardbacks to equal the cost of the Nook!

 

[DMRick]

The nook can use both Adobe PDF (my library calls it Adobe Digital Editions) or EPub (As well as a few others). There's also a great free program http://calibre-ebook.com/ that will convert most of the ebook formats to another one. I know a few people with the Kindle who use it to convert the downloaded library books into a Kindle friendly format.

Thank you for this information. Now I wonder if I should get them all the Kindle.