Checking out ebooks from the library an easy way to get free epub books?

[Matthew]

So, I just recently started checking out ebooks from our public library in town. They offer books from Overdrive and I had thought once a book was due for return, that I'd no longer be able to read it on my Nook. Turns out that the epub file is still there and I can still read it whenever I want. So, I started thinking, are ebooks you borrow from your library pretty much yours to keep for as long as you have the epub file?

[Sheila]

not from my experience. I had a book that was removed after the lending period was over. I think you just got lucky. Congrats

[willaful, dedicated nookworm]

Not usually, no. Generally once you exit the book or plug your device in, the expiration will kick in. It's possible you borrowed a DRM free book, which some libraries are offering now. Is it happening with every book you borrow?

[Matthew]

Ah, OK. I see what was happening. I checked out another book this morning, but didn't immediately move it from ADE to my Nook. Up until then, the previous book was still on my Nook. I just moved the nook book to my Nook and went back to check to see if the other book was readable and it no longer is. The epub file is still there, but it's unable to be opened. Calibre won't open it either and says it's due to DRM. Bummer.

So it appears that you retain the ability to read your books from the library until the next time you connect to ADE with your Nook.

[willaful, dedicated nookworm]

IIRC, my experience with my classic Nook is that the book also expired if I exited it. One of those situations where having two Nooks comes in handy! :-) (I needed the book a little longer, for reference while writing a review.)