Overdrive and Library books and ipod touch

[dzorn]

Does any one use overdrive on the ipod touch for free books from your local library?

How easy is it to use?

Can you adjust font size? (yea getting old and needing glasses)

Other than local library memberships are there any national or public libraries you can register for(looking to increase selections)?

Denise in MI

 

[Pigeon]

Some public libraries will let you purchase a library card for a relatively small fee that will let you access their ebooks, but most require that you do it in person. So, if the library in the next town over has a different collection of ebooks, you might be able to pay a small fee, get a card and be able to use their collection. But make sure the collections are different as sometimes they are leased on a regional basis.

I believe the Free Library of Philadelphia will let you pay for a card by mail, and they are supposed to have a good ebook collection.

 

[vicki_c]

oops - duplicate post!

 

[vicki_c]

I use Overdrive on my phone to get books from the library. But I usually use it more to access the library page vs. reading too many things in Overdrive. I usually read on the Kindle app.

But I did read a few novels on it with no issue and didn't have to enlarge the text.

 

[Jaime4004]

I used to use overdrive all the time on my iphone. It's really easy to use. Looks like on mine, you can only toggle between two different font sizes. Now my library supports kindle, so I use that much more often. Unless it's changed recently, with overdrive at my library, you checked out ebooks for 2 weeks, but couldn't return them from the iphone. And are only allowed to check out 3 books at one time. So i'd be waiting for them to expire in order to be able to check out a new one. Now with the kindle app, you can return them immediately through the amazon site when you're done with them.

 

[MercoBear]

I use on my iPhone, and it is my favorite reading app, beating out kindle, nook, and bluefire. You can minimally adjust type size. What I like is that you can adjust color and brightness of the screen, and it has a running tally of how far along you are in your reading. That really drives me crazy when I cannot get a page update in some other apps.

I have found more than enough books to keep me busy for a long while using overdrive. It also let's you keep a wish list on the website so you can keep track of what you would like to read if you start finding too many good books.

I am on The Help right now.

 

[dzorn]

We do use our local library for actual books but just discovered I can down load them. I have read books on my touch though the ibook app(some free some paid)

I would use an actual kindle but the last thing I want is to carry around another item hence would perfer to just use the itouch. I do have the kindle app on my itouch but have never used it.

I do increase the font usually in ibook so I do not have to find my reading glasses.

Denise in MI

 

[vicki_c]

I think, but am not sure, that one of the recent updates to Overdrive now allows returning books through the app - it seems like I did that with the last epub book I was reading on there early this year.

 

[dzorn]

I think I will give it a shot. Now if I just remember to get my pin number when we return the books this weekend.

I am amazed that our library web site does not have a way to register for on-line use if you already have a library card.

How long are the books usually good for? Does it make a difference if it audio or ebook version.

Thinking ahead to the long drive from MI to FL for Easter.

Thanks everyone.

Denise in MI

 

[vicki_c]

I just checked out a Kindle book last night on my iPad and I noticed that my library recently added a 21-day check out option.

Before it was only 7 day or 14 day, now all 3 choices were there. I'm guessing it varies by library system.

I would do it sooner rather than later (whatever registration you need to do with your library card) because most of the books I want to read I usually have to put a hold on and wait for them to become available. It can be a little depressing seeing you are 50th out of 52 or something on the waiting list and the library has 3 copies of the book!

But just since January, I have read about 8-10 e-books from the library, so I just always try to keep a few in my hold list and it works well (except the one time 4 books became available within 3 days of one another - and all had 14 day loan periods - I was doing a LOT of reading!).

 

[Pigeon]

The library sets the circulation period. You'll need to check with them, but it should be on their website.

 

[tink576]

Some libraries also have a nice audio book selection. I love using the overdrive audiobooks when doing work around the house.

 

[DisneyCrafter]

I actually work at a public library.

You might want to check with them to see if they have a default password (say for example, your last name or library card number) for your account to use when logging in to OverDrive. You'll definitely need your library card number as that is how you access the database of e-books that your library has purchased. You can access OverDrive from your library's online catalog by using the advanced search feature to include e-books. Many libraries also have audio books as a PP said. I personally like the Kindle because it reads just like a book (the screen display doesn't strain my eyes). I'd suggest audio books for your iPod touch and e-books for your Kindle, considering you mentioned your eyes. In terms of resetting your pin, you can do so by letting whoever is working circulation know. I also recommend asking if anyone at the library offers assistance on using an e-reader/OverDrive/Kindle. We have several e-readers for check-out at our library and several employees are very familiar with how to access the books and the like. (Our library actually had a program a few weeks back on how to download e-books onto your e-reader.)

Hope this helps!