does anyone actually use a Nook or Sony E reader with their library?

[abmitch01]

being able to check out ebooks to an ereader from my library is the main feature I'm looking for. So the Kindle is out. I'm curious how easy it is to use this feature? Also, if I'm not looking to be able ot buy books anywhere on the 3g network, I'm more looking to use it as a library tool, then I should just get the wi-fi one, not the 3G one, right?

and I have an Iphone but am new to it. Is it silly to have an ereader and an Iphone? But for the life of me, I can't figure out how to get my library's digital books off my mac and onto the Iphone. Plus, the Nook would be easier to read, I would think.

Because of the library functionality, this avid reader and library nut, just may be ready to go digital! what a cool world we live in

 

[RitaE]

I use a Sony Pocket for the Adobe ePub books. It is extremely easy.
I use my iPhone as my reader for things like "stuck in the car waiting for son to finish baseball practice" reading. It is fine for that but I don't like to read on it for extended lengths of time.

If you don't mind downloading all your books to a computer and then sideloading to the eReader than I think the $149 wiFi nook is a great bargain. I like my 3G but I could work around not having it if saving the $50 is important to you. I'd especially recommend the nook if you have a barnes and noble nearby where you could go in and get some of their specials. B&N is betting big on digital readers and the eBookstore right now and they are promoting like crazy to try and gain market share.

 

[abmitch01]

from what i understand, you use wifi when in the B and N store, not 3G. And I can use wifi at home to add the library books. So not sure I even need the 3G. Does that sound right?

thanks for your help

 

[RitaE]

Yes, as long as you don't travel around a bunch like on airplanes and want to buy books while you do so you would probably be just fine. Most of my actual book buying I do by browsing the Amazon website on my laptop computer and on the webpage and sending the book to the Kindle. I hardly ever buy directly from the Kindle.

Sometimes I take my Kindle into the library and when I see a book I'm really interested in buying to own I'll use it to look up the price and buy right then. You can do that on your iPhone just as easily though.

 

[MrsPete]

I think this question would be best directed to your local library. You'd need to know how many e-books they have, what kind of wait list there is, and the process for checking them out.

My local library doesn't offer this feature (though I suspect they will in the future), so I would never buy an e-reader JUST for this purpose. Not not, not where I live. But that doesn't mean that your libraries aren't spending their dollars in a different way. This is really a local question.

 

[RitaE]

The OP appears to be from Albany and the NYPL definitely has eBooks. For those who don't live in a library district that offers ebooks - the Free Library of Philadelphia offers a non-resident card for $15 a year and they have a nice selection.

 

[abmitch01]

yes, I checked the library system first and they have a wonderful selection and say the Nook is supported

 

[powellrj]

this is a little ot, but my local library uses overdrive media and I am able to download audio-books to my IPod touch. Its a wonderful service! I listen to audio-books now instead of the radio when I am in my car.

 

[cseca]

The OP appears to be from Albany and the NYPL definitely has eBooks. For those who don't live in a library district that offers ebooks - the Free Library of Philadelphia offers a non-resident card for $15 a year and they have a nice selection.

Thank you for the information. Although I can't seem to find a working website for this library right now. So weird.

NM! Found it!
They have a pretty good selection. I might have to submit a card application

 

[DisneyMum4]

I have the Sony Touch Edition and use the lubrary all the time to borrow books. I love my eReader and take it everywhere I go. I do not mind having to hook-up to the computer to d/l books. The great thing is now the Touch Edition is down to 199.00. ALso, you can join the DC Public Library for free for 30 days and then there is a small fee after that and they have an amazing selection of books. Good luck with your choice and decision. All the eReaders have pros and cons about them.

 

[mom2brina]

Yes, I have an ereader - it is the older PR-500 version, so no wifi or 3G. Honestly I wish I had that. I don't love the sony download site, but I do use the ereader for library downloads. I had to get a non resident card (wish I knew about that Philadelphia one before!!) and was very disappointed in the online selection. Going forward there will probably be more books to download, but right now, the selection just isn't there.

 

[abmitch01]

so I got one and it took some figuring but I got The Help downloaded from the library. I am so happy it worked! I lost the sight in one eye a few yrs ago and reading, my favorite hobby, became really hard. I went from reading 2-3 books a week, to 2-3 a month. I need large print books which often aren't available in the books I want. So being able to make the font huge on the Nook is fantastic. I should of done this sooner. I haven't been so excited about a purchase in years!

thanks so much for the advice!

 

[luvthemouse71]

Yes, I have an ereader - it is the older PR-500 version, so no wifi or 3G. Honestly I wish I had that. I don't love the sony download site, but I do use the ereader for library downloads. I had to get a non resident card (wish I knew about that Philadelphia one before!!) and was very disappointed in the online selection. Going forward there will probably be more books to download, but right now, the selection just isn't there.

I found the same thing with my library when I was in the market for an e-reader. So, I ended up with a Kindle(love it, BTW) and I just take DTBs(Dead Tree Books) out of the library. Works out nicely, because I read both e-books and regular books. I love the 3g on the Kindle, and have had very good customer service experiences with Amazon.

 

[kelly1218]

The OP appears to be from Albany and the NYPL definitely has eBooks. For those who don't live in a library district that offers ebooks - the Free Library of Philadelphia offers a non-resident card for $15 a year and they have a nice selection.

Thank you!!! I don't live in Philly....but I found out that I still qualify for a free library card.

 

[magik]

I could be wrong, but I believe that it won't matter whether you have wifi only or 3G or neither, because I think you need to download the library Overdrive books to your computer first anyway to "authorize" them with Adobe Digital Editions, and you'll have to hook your e-reader up to the computer to authorize it with ADE as well, and then transfer the books from the computer to the e-reader. Maybe there's a way without hooking the e-reader up to the computer with a USB cable, but I haven't figured out any other way to do it than that.

 

[FergieTCat]

Does anyone know of a library that has new books (like NY Times Bestsellers list) in ebook format?

I was considering getting an ereader since my home library is the NYPL, but I noticed that the don't have very new books in that format.

 

[debbi801]

The OP appears to be from Albany and the NYPL definitely has eBooks. For those who don't live in a library district that offers ebooks - the Free Library of Philadelphia offers a non-resident card for $15 a year and they have a nice selection.

My local library has not really started carrying ebooks, so I applied for a Free Library of Philadelphia card.

It is super easy to use. You just need to have (and register) Adobe Digital Editions on your computer (a free download). I'm currently reading my 3rd library book. It's great! I love my Nook.

 

[jessandtwo]

Can you fax the library application to the Free Library of Philadelphia with a credit card number or do you have to mail it in?

How long after you sent in your application did you get your library card?

I just got a nook yesterday so I'm very excited about being able to get books from the Free Library of Philadelphia.

 

[debbi801]

Can you fax the library application to the Free Library of Philadelphia with a credit card number or do you have to mail it in?

How long after you sent in your application did you get your library card?

I just got a nook yesterday so I'm very excited about being able to get books from the Free Library of Philadelphia.

You have to mail in the application with a check. It took about 2 weeks for me to receive my card after mailing my check and application.

 

[deerhart]

We got a sony ereader back in 08, I got a kindle for xmas in 09.

Our library system uses overdrive, which requires you to download Adobe DM Editions (easy to do) and the files you get are usually Adobe PDF's.

it is really easy to do, just plug in the ereader to your computer, open up the Adobe DE and then drop and drag the borrowed books to the reader.

Our library allows for a 7, 14, or 21 day borrow (this is the amount of time the licenses is active on your copy).

My library offers a mixture of different books, including NY times best sellers, but I don't use it that often because they do not update it very frequently with the type of books I like to read. I do use it when I am catching up on an author that they have copies of the books.

Also, many sites do have free ebooks that you can get either promotional or even all the time.

I do purchase a ton of new books on my kindle just because the library doesn't get ebooks as quickly as i like to have them and I do not want to wait on the long wait lists for the real things (and wait for it to be transferred to my branch, then find time to go pick it up, then have to drop it off by then I have already spent almost the price of the book in my time and gas)