e-books and borrowing availability

SusieBW · July 2015

I just got a Kindle a few weeks ago, and now I seem to read more than I used to, if that was possible. I spend a lot less time on Facebook, and a lot less time messing around mindlessly on my phone or ipad. All of that is wonderful, but I feel like almost every ebook I search for in my library system had hundreds of holds. I have 7 books on hold now, and I'm reading something random right now, just because it was available and I needed something to read. I fear that I'm going to start spending lots and lots of money on ebooks just so I can read what I want, and I had pretty well gotten over my book buying habit the last couple of years. We downsized our books a few years ago, and now I generally only buy stuff that I want a hard copy of on my bookshelf, and usually only when I have coupons and gift cards. I just can't afford to be spending money on books all the time like I used to.

So I feel like my library doesn't have a good enough selection for me to get free ebooks. Is the Free Library of Philadelphia out of state library card really worth $50, or am I going to be on hold list after hold list there too?

Where else can I borrow free ebooks?

SnShne322 · July 2015

Does RI have multiple locations? For instance, my district is Central MA, but I also use Boston. My district is a lot like yours. The selection isn't as great and I use primarily Boston. I don't know if RI is big enough for that?

I've found that I kind of had to start a cycle of some things that I wasn't really looking for while I put my wants on hold. So for a month it was kind of so/so, but then my holds started to come in. I keep adding things to my hold list so it's a pretty good pattern now.

If I can't wait for the book, I'll check for a print copy at the library since that seems faster and if I REALLY want it, I'll buy the ebook or a hard copy on Amazon.

I think Boston is enough that I haven't needed to do the FLoP.

dutchgirl76 · July 2015

I would suggest going for the paper copy if possible. I've heard mixed reviews about Kindle Unlimited, you're spending money on books, but if you read enough in a month I think you could justify it. I would suggest to confirm the books you want to read are on are there first before purchasing, I had trouble finding a lot on my "want to read" list so I haven't taken the plunge.

Kindle has a lending library that you can borrow books for free...just be careful, I've read a few and they're not always that great. There's the Kindle First every month you get to pick 1 of 4 pre-releases, but again I've had 50/50 luck with those too.

angelashly · July 2015

@dutchgirl76 does Kindle unlimited only work if you have prime? I was just looking and you can do a 30 day free trial.

InLovewSB · July 2015

Perhaps this is shady...
I have asked relatives in other regions of the country if I could use their library card numbers to access their library's e-book databases. Of course, I always solemnly promise to follow all the library's rules, only borrow 1 at a time, and so forth.

My husband's aunt (that he has a close relationship with) kind of kicked this off because she knew how much I love to read, and I had whined a little about the terrible selection of ebooks on our library's database. So she volunteered her library card number for me. She never uses ebooks, so she's happy to share with me. It is awesome! (And we live 400 miles apart so it really is a totally different library system).

SusieBW · July 2015

RI's library system is statewide. Which is awesome for ILL of paper books, especially when the state is so small, and actually moving books form one library to another is super fast. But not as much for the ebook system, which is just one main electronic database for the whole state, and not separated for each individual library. So it seems like there are way fewer books because of that.

I have Amazon Prime, but when I checked out Kindle Unlimited, it didn't seem worth it to me.

I always forget about the Kindle Lending Library thing, though. I'm going to check that out. I'm always on my ipad looking for library books, because that's the easiest way with my library system, but to use the Lending Library, you have do it straight from the Kindle, so I always forget. I'm very much still learning how to use this new-fangled thing!

dutchgirl76 · July 2015

I believe the lending library is free if you don't have Prime? I have a Prime membership so I'm not sure. Go to the top of your Kindle (I have a Fire HDX) under "Books" there's an option for lending library and a Kindle First (the 4 pre-release.) You have to pay to subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, but I think there's a way you can share books with other members? I'm not sure if it could be treated like Netflix, maybe you split the cost with a friend and share a password? Again rather shady but cheaper...

angelashly · July 2015

I ended up doing the 30 day free trial of Kindle unlimited, but I can see it not being worth the $10 a month.

abs05 · July 2015

I download so many books through amazon because I am ridiculous and hate waiting. Reading is my only vice so I justify but I should probably try to utilize the library more!

j*&p* · July 2015

SnShne322 said:

Does RI have multiple locations? For instance, my district is Central MA, but I also use Boston. My district is a lot like yours. The selection isn't as great and I use primarily Boston. I don't know if RI is big enough for that?

I've found that I kind of had to start a cycle of some things that I wasn't really looking for while I put my wants on hold. So for a month it was kind of so/so, but then my holds started to come in. I keep adding things to my hold list so it's a pretty good pattern now.

If I can't wait for the book, I'll check for a print copy at the library since that seems faster and if I REALLY want it, I'll buy the ebook or a hard copy on Amazon.

I think Boston is enough that I haven't needed to do the FLoP.

This has been my experience too. It felt like I'd wait forever and then all of my holds would come in all at once when I was in the middle of something else. I've had good luck recently though. With really popular books, there's usually a big waitlist, but they seem to be moving fairly rapidly these days. I've also discovered the "suspend hold" feature on Overdrive, so if I get something in and I'm close to the top of the list on other books, I can suspend my hold for a week or two so they'll come in when I'm ready for them. Maybe you can put a bunch on hold and then read some from the Kindle Lending Library until they start rolling in.

SusieBW · July 2015

Thanks again, everyone. I think I figured out the lending library thing last night, but my wifi was so slow, it was tough to navigate. Meanwhile the 7 things I have on hold all have different wait lists, from 436 people ahead of me, to only 4, so they should become available in waves, and hopefully that will start to work.

And I still have a bunch of paper books to read on my shelf at home, too, so there is always that.

julie37619 · July 2015

There is a wait on FLP for the most popular books. It took me a while to get into a system but now I just check on the days I know they post new books and put it on hold as quickly as I can. And once you get into a cycle with it, the waits aren't as bad because you're reading what you put on hold two or three weeks ago.

dutchgirl76 · July 2015

Thanks for the tip on suspending the hold. I ended up having to remove a hold once to add something better. I agree the limits move pretty quickly. Keep checking out this board, these ladies have great suggestions, hopefully something else might strike your fancy with less of a wait.

angelashly · July 2015

I've never used my library's e-books and I am not sure why. I do have a bunch of Amazon free books too for my in between times in case I need something to read. I am going to check out the e-books now on the library site

e-books and borrowing availability

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