Question about Nook and free ebooks?

[sherry7]

I'm calling this budget related, because I'm too cheap to buy books.

I'm considering getting a Nook. I know that my library offers free ebooks through the Overdrive system. The lady at the library told me that each time I want to download a book from them, that I need to download it to my computer first and then hook up the Nook to my computer and transfer it over.

I'm confused by this. If I have to hook up the Nook to the computer each each time I download a book from the library, doesn't that make the Wi-Fi (and possibly 3G) worthless to me?

Can someone explain this to me please? Thanks.

 

[cseca]

Yes.
To use overdrive you have to download Adobe Digital program. Basically it works just like iTunes. It recognizes that your device is the only device that is allowed to borrow that particular book.

Wifi or 3G will have nothing to do with overdrive lending system unfortunately.

Also check your local library ebook collection to see if they have the stuff you like and how long the waitlists are. Sometimes they're really small (ours is) and I have to pay for an out of state elibrary card to get the stuff I want. But for me it's still cheaper than funding my reading habit without the card...

 

[Linda in sunny SC]

Because of the way Epub files are licensed through your library, you need to use Adobe Digital Editions software on your computer as a means of transferring the file to your nook. There's a thread on the BN Nook forums that gives the procedure in detail. In essence you must register both your computer and your nook with the same Adobe account in order to read library books. The WiFi and 3g are mostly good for buying books from BN. Check out the free books available there. I have quite a collection of them now. I've read a few library books but our available titles are kind of sparse and there are long waiting lists.

 

[lissieinthesky]

Hey Sherry7,

I have a nook and loooooove it! Barnes & Noble's "shop" through your nook has a lot of books that are listed for free. Some are good, some are... well, garbage. Anyway, you can use an internet connection for that. And while it's not MADE for internet usage - you can use the internet! I've posted from my blog - it takes some patience... surfed, email, etc. My nook doesn't have the 3G, I just have wifi. Saved some money and if I need something I have an amount of 3G allotted each month on my phone anyway. I'm a SAHM too, so it's not like I'm out all day away from easy access to the internet. And WIFI! Use your own internet at home.

The library process of borrowing books or downloading free titles is super easy and fast. Once you have the software to do it, it's pretty much a plug-in, drag and drop, good to go type of deal.

I love my nook but I also still utilize my local library... a LOT, lol. I don't normally buy books for my own collection unless they're ones that I really treasure (or cookbooks) and definitely not just digital copies! So if it's available on my nook for free (to own, or borrow) I read it on there! If not, I get it from my library. Hope that helps!

 

[momof1princess]

the 3G will come in handy when you order free books from bn.com. once you order the book via your computer, you can then turn on your nook, tap "my library" then scroll down to and tap "check for new b&n content" and, after the book you ordered shows up on your screen, you can select it and tap "download" and get your book without connecting it to anything. i live in the boonies and there's no WiFi nearby that i'm aware of, so i need the 3G. hope this makes sense.

you can also use it to order books directly from bn.com, without using your computer.

 

[sherry7]

Yes.
To use overdrive you have to download Adobe Digital program. Basically it works just like iTunes. It recognizes that your device is the only device that is allowed to borrow that particular book.

Wifi or 3G will have nothing to do with overdrive lending system unfortunately.

Also check your local library ebook collection to see if they have the stuff you like and how long the waitlists are. Sometimes they're really small (ours is) and I have to pay for an out of state elibrary card to get the stuff I want. But for me it's still cheaper than funding my reading habit without the card...

Thanks very much for the replies. In my case, it seems like the 3G would be next to worthless.

Can you please describe how to get an out of state elibrary card? I never realized that was a possibility.

 

[pixiewings71]

I have a Nook, I don't borrow from the library but I rarely pay more than $4 for a book, many times they are 99 cents or free. I have the 3G version, my kids have a WiFi version. I love the 3G version!!!! No worrying about needing a new book on vacation, just buy one, download it and start reading! I was camping, very tiny cell signal but the 3G worked great and I was able to buy a new book while sitting at the campfire. LOVE IT!!

 

[cseca]

Thanks very much for the replies. In my case, it seems like the 3G would be next to worthless.

Can you please describe how to get an out of state elibrary card? I never realized that was a possibility.

Free Library of Philadelphia charges $35/yr for out of state card.

Orange County, FL charges $125/yr

And I think there's another one in VA that charges too.

The cheapest one so far is still FLoP. Last year they charged $15, I guess with the popularity of ereader they realized they need to increase their income to be able to support all the new out of state patrons. I still think $35/yr is doable, considering I read on average about 10 books/month. Spread that out to a year that means 100-120 books. Even if I buy the cheapies (99c), I will still have to spend about $100

Before you go that route I would check your local library and see if there are "friends" of another consortiums that has better collections.

I have another sorta local card for free because I live in a county that are "friends" of a a neighboring county. Their collection is not as good as FLoP but way better than our local one. So I drove over to get the free card.

 

[sherry7]

Free Library of Philadelphia charges $35/yr for out of state card.

Orange County, FL charges $125/yr

And I think there's another one in VA that charges too.

The cheapest one so far is still FLoP. Last year they charged $15, I guess with the popularity of ereader they realized they need to increase their income to be able to support all the new out of state patrons. I still think $35/yr is doable, considering I read on average about 10 books/month. Spread that out to a year that means 100-120 books. Even if I buy the cheapies (99c), I will still have to spend about $100

Before you go that route I would check your local library and see if there are "friends" of another consortiums that has better collections.

I have another sorta local card for free because I live in a county that are "friends" of a a neighboring county. Their collection is not as good as FLoP but way better than our local one. So I drove over to get the free card.

Awesome info, thank you. I actually live in PA (but not remotely close to Philadelphia), so I'm not sure if I'd have to pay an out-of-state rate or not. Either way, it sounds like a pretty good deal.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Can I ask an unrelated question?

If I delete books off my nook that were free from Barnes and Noble. If I turn on wifi and tell it to check for new content, will it download them again?

 

[dhardawa]

I have had a Nook for about a year now and have never once used the WiFi on it (it doesn't have 3G). I download everything to my computer and use Calibre to upload to the Nook.

 

[JMJ3553]

You can also lend books to one another. You can lend them for two weeks or borrow them for two weeks. You are not able to use them while you are lending.

Maybe we can start a lending group on here. I just bought the Nook color and would love to borrow from someone else and vice versa.

You ask someone to be your friend through the nook friends app.

Let me know if anyone is interested

 

[momof1princess]

i've got several books that are lendable, if anyone is interested. mostly mysteries and thrillers.

 

[magik]

Can I ask an unrelated question?

If I delete books off my nook that were free from Barnes and Noble. If I turn on wifi and tell it to check for new content, will it download them again?

You will need to "archive" them if you don't want them showing back up on your Nook. Not sure if you can do that from the device itself, but I know you can do it if you log on to the B&N website, go to your Nook Library on the site and mark the books as archived if you don't want them syncing to your Nook again. You can always unarchive them if you want them back.

 

[disneysuncat]

Free Library of Philadelphia charges $35/yr for out of state card.

Orange County, FL charges $125/yr

And I think there's another one in VA that charges too.

The cheapest one so far is still FLoP. Last year they charged $15, I guess with the popularity of ereader they realized they need to increase their income to be able to support all the new out of state patrons. I still think $35/yr is doable, considering I read on average about 10 books/month. Spread that out to a year that means 100-120 books. Even if I buy the cheapies (99c), I will still have to spend about $100

Before you go that route I would check your local library and see if there are "friends" of another consortiums that has better collections.

I have another sorta local card for free because I live in a county that are "friends" of a a neighboring county. Their collection is not as good as FLoP but way better than our local one. So I drove over to get the free card.

Thanks so much for mentioning FLoP! I just checked it out, and it's free for Seniors 65+ (as well as military.) My Mom is over 65 and has a Nook. (I won three of them, gave her one, my brother one, and kept one.) We contacted our local library about e-books, and they said (and no, I am not kidding) "We don't know nothing about that." Nice double negatives for library workers! Mom was just complaining yesterday (again) about our library and their lack of ebooks! I had checked surrounding counties and had finally found one that had ebooks, but their selection was very bad, plus they wanted you to come there in person to apply. Sounds like the way you mentioned will be the way to go for Mom, and FLoP seemed to have a great selection of mysteries/thrillers for her.

Out of the three of us having Nooks, I thought I'd be the one zooming around on mine the most, but my brother (who lives in another state and travels a lot) uses his constantly, and Mom loves hers. I just have never got adjusted to reading books on mine yet, which is strange as I love technical things and have tons of electronic gadgets.

Sorry I'm rambling...thanks again!

 

[cruisnfamily]

You can also lend books to one another. You can lend them for two weeks or borrow them for two weeks. You are not able to use them while you are lending.

Maybe we can start a lending group on here. I just bought the Nook color and would love to borrow from someone else and vice versa.

You ask someone to be your friend through the nook friends app.

Let me know if anyone is interested

The only problem with the lending is that it is ONE time only. That's it, then it can never be lent again. I think that is so stupid!

 

[JMJ3553]

i've got several books that are lendable, if anyone is interested. mostly mysteries and thrillers.

I only have one book right now, but I do plan on buying more. I just received my nook last Friday. I also plan on purchasing children's books that I can lend.

I think you need to know your name and email address to share...

My name is Michelle Blaise
Email: JMJ3553@aol.com

Add me as a friend if you would like to share

 

[cseca]

Awesome info, thank you. I actually live in PA (but not remotely close to Philadelphia), so I'm not sure if I'd have to pay an out-of-state rate or not. Either way, it sounds like a pretty good deal.

Here's from their application sheet:
If you live, work, go to school or own property in Philadelphia, you can get a card at no cost. If you have a card from another Pennsylvania Library, you may also qualify. Seniors (65+) Veterans and members of the Armed Services also qualify for a free card.

So you might want to find out how to get a local card and then call FLoP to see if you can get theirs for free...

Thanks so much for mentioning FLoP!
...
Sorry I'm rambling...thanks again!

You're welcome

 

[JMJ3553]

The only problem with the lending is that it is ONE time only. That's it, then it can never be lent again. I think that is so stupid!

Just saw this... that does stink

 

[cseca]

Can I ask an unrelated question?

If I delete books off my nook that were free from Barnes and Noble. If I turn on wifi and tell it to check for new content, will it download them again?

You can't delete books straight from the device. The only thing you can do is archive.
To permanently delete you have to go to your BN acct online and delete it from there.

I suppose you should be able to delete the book from your Nook if you are to use their browser and do it that way. But I've never done it that way.

The same way with library books. They will automatically be "returned" on the due date or you can return the books early from your ADE program.