Libraries and Digital Resources

[Kerstin]

For avid readers there has always been the question of buying books versus getting them from the library for various reasons. For me the question usually revolves around what kind of book it is, whether it is important enough to own or not. Escapist-type entertainment fiction is something I rarely buy anymore, even when it is on sale. Now I am no expert, but I thought I’d share some info I’ve gathered along the way.

Aside from regular books, libraries have long entered the digital age, and they offer many platforms to borrow books, magazines, and audio materials electronically. Some of them are used internationally, so this is not just applicable here in the US. Now it does depend on where you are and what your local library (network) offers, and in some instances it is advantageous to have multiple library cards within a library network. I have three. There is only one caveat, when it comes to Catholic books they aren’t always available.

The way these electronic platforms work, is that you access them through PC, tablet, and/or app, and set up an account along with your library card info. You can’t access the content of them without having a library card. The library's website has all the links. Lending books works pretty much the same as regular library loans. You have a time limit that expires automatically. The only difference is that your book is no longer accessible once it gets “returned.” With a dedicated ereader you can circumvent the deadline by turning off the wireless feature until you have finished the book. Many platforms offer the kindle format, though there are some where you only get the epub versions. It is here where I have found that a tablet is very useful. No matter the source or format, all is accessible on one device. I have an ipad, and in addition to the individual apps, the integrated browser (safari) works directly with the ebook app (ibooks). There are so many options, it makes one dizzy.

For books the two dominant platforms I have seen is Overdrive and Hoopla, plus we have the State Library offering several more platforms for electronic lending such as Cloud Library.

Overdrive: lending is usually for 1 – 3 weeks, you can specify, unless the book was on hold and then you get the default of one or two weeks, depending on the library's policy. Here it is advantageous to have multiple library cards as each library selects on their own what bundles/packages they purchase from Overdrive depending on budget and demographics.
https://www.overdrive.com/

Hoopla: is a little more flexible then Overdrive, lending is usually for a month, and you can re-borrow easily. I have been surprised at the variety of titles it offers.
https://www.hoopladigital.com/

Cloud Library: this works with your local and/or state library. I think they only offer the epub format.
https://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/

Leaving your local library behind, there is also the comprehensive platform Internet Archive from which you can borrow books under Open Library. Again you set up an account (it is free), and as a rule you can either read online or download for a time. The majority of books are in the epub format. The neat thing about this site, is that they have multiple versions of many older books in the public domain. I have also found on occasion hard to find books the other platforms either don’t carry or have not made available. The down side is that books with recent copyrights are often only available if purchased through links provided to Amazon, et. al.
https://openlibrary.org/

Of course many of the books we read here are in the public domain. Unfortunately these are often no longer for free on Amazon as they used to be a few years ago. Granted, they don’t charge much, usually .99 cents to $ 2.99, but it is still irksome. Here are two alternatives:

Traditional Catholic: http://www.traditionalcatholic.co/
Project Gutenberg: http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

[Manny]

Kerstin, this great. I’ve long known about borrowing ebooks from my library (and NYC Public Library is one of the best, if not the best) but I have never done it. I’ll have to give some of your suggestions a try. Many thanks for putting this together.

[Kerstin]

You're welcome! I've been thinking about it for a while now. Our tax dollars pay for these wonderful resources, one of the few perks we as citizens can directly take advantage of.
Once I got into it, my whole outlook on how I read and use books shifted. I actually have read and enjoyed books that I would never have paid money for, or on the flip side, was glad I didn't spent money on. And for the books I do buy there is more purpose behind it.

[Celia]

Thank you Kerstin. I do use Kindle (either Overlook or buying my own copy) when it is for a book club. I can highlight passages that touch me and save them for discussion. So much easier than little slips of paper. I really appreciate all of this information as I like to know all of the sources from which I can obtain a book.

[Kerstin]

I thought I would bring this old thread back to peruse again. Much of what I wrote back in 2019 is still true. Check your library what they have to offer in addition to the info here.

The Overdrive platform is now Libby and can be downloaded as an app. One still has the option of borrowing for kindle which includes a couple more steps. Personally I prefer reading on my kindle over an iphone/pad screen. It doesn't strain the eyes so much and nighttime reading without having a light on is fabulous too for those nights when at 2 o'clock one stares at the ceiling ;-) Unless I want to download something, I keep my kindle on airplane mode. This comes in handy when one needs a little more time finishing a book beyond the return date. Amazon will still return it, but the system can't communicate with the your kindle, so you have it as long as you need it. Obviously once you get off airplane mode the book gets returned at that point. You can always borrow again.

Hoopla has a shorter lending time now of three weeks.

For our two current and upcoming reads I was able to borrow them from the library. I have the O'Brien on hold, so hopefully it will show up in time. The O'Connor is part of the compilation A Good Man is Hard to Find and Other Stories.

[Michelle]

Thanks, Kerstin- these things are handy to know.