Bookworms can now borrow e-books from 67 percent of public libraries.
As we enter our winter hibernation mode, even the trip to the local library seems daunting. So we were happy to discover that we can download e-books from our local library on our e-reader for convenient — and economical — winter reading. Technology has come a long way since we checked out our first book and the librarian stamped the due date on a card. For fellow newcomers to checking out e-books, we’ve provided a handy step-by-step guide.
Check your local library for availability. Head to your library’s web site — chances are, e-books are already being offered. According to the American Library Association, about 67 percent of public libraries report offering free e-book access, a 30 percent increase since 2007.
Determine what devices and platforms are supported. Library e-books are generally available for all of the major e-readers, including the Kindle (in all its variations), NOOK and Sony Reader, as well as iPads, iPhones, Androids, BlackBerries and computers running Adobe Digital Editions. Downloading for Kindle is simple and doesn’t require any additional software. Non-Kindle users, meanwhile, may need to download the first or second version of OverDrive Media Console, a program available free of charge via library web sites. Check with your library for relevant compatibility and downloading info.
Download! Downloading an e-book from the Brooklyn Public Library was a piece of cake. We chose a nonfiction title to put in our digital cart, proceeded to checkout, and entered some info — first, our library card number and password, followed by our registered email address and password with Amazon. When we fired up our Kindle, voila! The book was there, listed on top of our list of purchased items. This particular checkout will last 14 days. Depending on library policy, other titles can be taken out for less or more time. The fact that downloads automatically expire means that digital borrowers don’t have to worry about paying late fees, says Marcia Warner, president of the Public Library Association. There are no renewals on e-books, but they can be checked out again provided they’re not on hold.
Ready to get started? Warner suggests remembering these tips, culled from fellow librarians:
- If you haven’t yet purchased an e-reader, go to your library’s website to see if they offer advice for getting started and selecting a device.
- Use the same email address and password for all e-book downloading-related services. That way you won’t need to enter multiple passwords to complete your transactions.
- Follow every step of the downloading directions. Missing just one step could mean you won’t be able to open your book — even when you get it on your device.
- Don’t be afraid to search the web for error codes that may arise. People love sharing common solutions to problems via discussion boards.
- If you run into problems you can’t solve on your own, ask your local library for assistance. Most are amenable to helping out and many are even offering classes on the subject.
Many libraries have boosted their downloadable offerings, expecting e-readers to be a hot holiday gift item, there’s no better time than now to take advantage.
Will you borrow an e-book from the library this year, or do you still prefer to check out hard copies of books?
Photo credit: Courtesy Amazon.com, Inc.