How to get books from public library on Kindle

[jrmasm]

Yes. I borrowed a book from FLP, and I'm able to read it on my Kindle Touch, iPad, or rooted (hacked) Nook Color using the Kindle app.

Thanks!

 

[pantherlj]

Just to be sure folks understand the best way to use Overdrive searching, as Harley suggested, you really need to use the Advanced Search box:

Note that right above the "Search" button is a box that allows you to show only titles that are available for checkout. Use this if you want to find a title to read RIGHT NOW, otherwise you will waste a lot of time looking at titles that are checked out to someone else.

Thank you for this tip!! I went through our library's list of books and added a bunch to my wait list but was able to search this way and find a couple to try out the system right away!

 

[LisaNJ25]

From this thread, it seems all librarians at every library know everything about ebooks except mine. So as long as you don't belong to my library (in northern NJ), you'll be fine!

Its very easy to figure out when using overdrives software. I have never had to ask my librarian for help.
I find downloading to my kindle so much easier that to my nook. I am close to you and go though the M.A.I.N. (Morris Automated Information Network) system.

Now if I wasnt number 268 on the waiting list for a book I really want to read I would be happier lol...

FYI.. those that are new to it.. you can "return" the book as soon as your down with it instead of just leaving on your device and having it expire.

 

[NotUrsula]

The Penguin Publishing Kindle titles were restored shortly after that event. As of right now, Penguin is not supplying new titles in any eBook format to the Overdrive Distributor. Overdrive's official position is they are trying to work with Penguin to address their safety concerns.

I'm not sure what you mean by the Kindle download and check-out process has a greater learning curve. If anything, some might consider it easier since for the majority of Kindles you do not need to connect the device to a computer with a cable, you simply click "Send to Device" on the screen.

I think she was suggesting learning the Nook precisely because it IS a bit more difficult to side-load -- if you need to learn to help folks who are having problems, then it makes sense to learn to use the device with the steeper learning curve.

I have to admit that I had a bit of difficulty with the curve on a Toshiba Thrive; ADE doesn't automatically recognize the device, so you have to move the files manually via Windows Explorer.

 

[rszdtrvl]

I just downloaded my first 2 books to my new Kindle Fire this morning. I have a few books holding at the library (REAL books) that I need to pick up today.

I think that the Kindle books will be a lot easier for me than real library books (and this is from a self-confessed "paperback" lover). I found it a bit wacky trying to find the Kindle ones (I couldn't find the overdrive page that is shown on the above post on my library page) but as soon as I figured it out it got easier.

 

[NotUrsula]

Libraries can vary the layout, but most of the time on the main Overdrive page for the library you will find the Advanced Search link on the lower-righthand edge of the search header bar, normally it displays about 1.5 to 2 inches from the top of the screen in the main window.

Sometimes if you use your reading device itself to access the Overdrive page you won't find it in that spot. In that case (or any other case where you can't locate it), do a search on a nonsense word in the main search box, and you will normally get this message:

We're sorry, but no results were found for the specified search criteria.
Click here to visit the 'Advanced Search' page to try again, remembering
to broaden your search.

Once you get that message you can click on the highlighted link to reach the Advanced Search form.

 

[rszdtrvl]

Thank you! I found it.

 

[taaren]

Another option for e-book users that is also free, btw, is e-book lending sites where you volunteer to lend the e-books you own to other people and in return you can borrow theirs.

One such site is ebookfling.com ... they make money by people buying credits if they don't want to wait for someone to lend their books first, but it can be a useful way to exchange books.

 

[GraysMom]

My 2 local libraries do not have ebook services (very small community). Am I out of luck, or is there a way I can use this system?

Ask your local library for an Access PA sticker for your card (not sure if they have to do something with your file on the computer or not). DS6 and I both have the sticker and it's allowed us to join 3 local libraries as well as one by my parent's house (to borrow books, sign up for summer reading programs, etc) which is great because DS and I both go through books quickly and now we can borrow books when visiting my parents over the summer. If I remember correctly, we just had to bring our home library card with the Access PA sticker on it and I had to show my driver's license before getting a card for the non-home library.

 

[vicki_c]

This article was in the Washington Post this morning, and reminded me of our conversation here. I don't know if this is behind a paywall or not (I subscribe to the Post) - hopefully not.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local...tual-shelves/2012/01/13/gIQAkIOXzP_print.html

Mainly about the growing demand for e-books from the library and the libraries struggles to deal with that.

 

[sillysmom]

I personally have found few problems getting books online. I have found MANY books on the NY Times best seller list and have them on reserve. While not every book is available in a e-book or kindle format, there are plenty. I also am quite surprised at the speed that I have been getting books that were reserved, one in particular that I reserved not even a week ago with over 40 people in front of me, was available for me yesterday. Thank goodness they give you the option of a 7 or 14 day borrow, as this morning I found that 2 more books were available for me and you must download them within 3 days. I love to read, and I was a having a very hard time making it to the library. Now, I read everywhere, and seriously read about 3 books per week. Between my Kindle App on my iPhone and my Kindle touch, I am never without a book!!!