Comments on: E-bestsellers and other goodies from your local library via OverDrive: Read them for free on the Sony Reader PRS-505 http://www.teleread.com/drm/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/ News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics Wed, 15 Feb 2012 20:23:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Mike Cane http://www.teleread.com/drm/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/comment-page-1/#comment-895360 Mike Cane Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:30:01 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/07/25/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/#comment-895360 @BklynGuy: Aha! Just went there and tried it. Thanks! @BklynGuy: Aha! Just went there and tried it. Thanks!

]]> By: Brooklyn Guy http://www.teleread.com/drm/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/comment-page-1/#comment-894049 Brooklyn Guy Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:58:43 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/07/25/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/#comment-894049 At the BPL site, you can browse eBooks only from a link on the left hand navigation bar. You do have to scroll down somewhat, but under the Collection category, there is a link that says "View all eBooks". There were almost 1800 titles available. You should write in with what kind of eBook titles you would like to see and with suggestions on how to make the page better. Remember, there is a reason the word public is in the name Brooklyn Public Library. At the BPL site, you can browse eBooks only from a link on the left hand navigation bar. You do have to scroll down somewhat, but under the Collection category, there is a link that says “View all eBooks”. There were almost 1800 titles available. You should write in with what kind of eBook titles you would like to see and with suggestions on how to make the page better. Remember, there is a reason the word public is in the name Brooklyn Public Library.

]]> By: Mike Cane http://www.teleread.com/drm/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/comment-page-1/#comment-892901 Mike Cane Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:25:45 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/07/25/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/#comment-892901 Thanks for that tip, David, but we both know the selection of ebooks will be so *small*, that straight browsing through titles is the better way to go in order to discover what's there. Having the non-eBooks mixed in prevents that. And if I'm finding that frustrating as a "techie," imagine the disgust of the general public! Thanks for that tip, David, but we both know the selection of ebooks will be so *small*, that straight browsing through titles is the better way to go in order to discover what’s there. Having the non-eBooks mixed in prevents that. And if I’m finding that frustrating as a “techie,” imagine the disgust of the general public!

]]> By: David Rothman http://www.teleread.com/drm/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/comment-page-1/#comment-892724 David Rothman Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:39:50 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/07/25/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/#comment-892724 Hi, Mike. Use BPL's <a href="http://digitalbooks.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/CE39C956-66CF-4D36-9822-CBE2AA642FBB/10/287/en/AdvancedSearch.htm" rel="nofollow">advanced search page</a> and you can choose the format you want. The PBL, like Jeff's library consortium in Arizona, is serviced by OverDrive. That's why you see a similar view. Yes, I've got major probs with the selection. It's an issue of resources and size of the market. TeleRead, anyone? Thanks, David Hi, Mike. Use BPL’s advanced search page and you can choose the format you want. The PBL, like Jeff’s library consortium in Arizona, is serviced by OverDrive. That’s why you see a similar view. Yes, I’ve got major probs with the selection. It’s an issue of resources and size of the market. TeleRead, anyone?

Thanks,
David

]]> By: Mike Cane http://www.teleread.com/drm/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/comment-page-1/#comment-892595 Mike Cane Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:25:42 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/07/25/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/#comment-892595 This is an old topic but I hope the writer will be back here. I looked at the Brooklyn Public Library site last night and it has ebooks interlaced -- all mixed in -- with audiobooks. The screensnap above also looks similar to BPL. Are libraries using the same software or what? I hate having to go through audiobook listings because I have zero interest in them and there are so few ebooks, searching by author invariably produces result = 0. This is an old topic but I hope the writer will be back here. I looked at the Brooklyn Public Library site last night and it has ebooks interlaced — all mixed in — with audiobooks. The screensnap above also looks similar to BPL. Are libraries using the same software or what? I hate having to go through audiobook listings because I have zero interest in them and there are so few ebooks, searching by author invariably produces result = 0.

]]> By: Clayton Brown http://www.teleread.com/drm/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/comment-page-1/#comment-890600 Clayton Brown Tue, 02 Sep 2008 02:43:06 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/07/25/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/#comment-890600 I live in Napa, California and our local library doesn't subscribe to Overdrive. Would it be possible to get a 20.00 out of state library card without having to personally apply for one? Thanks, Clayton Brown I live in Napa, California and our local library doesn’t subscribe to Overdrive. Would it be possible to get a 20.00 out of state library card without having to personally apply for one?
Thanks,
Clayton Brown

]]> By: Jeff http://www.teleread.com/drm/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/comment-page-1/#comment-861176 Jeff Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:40:17 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/07/25/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/#comment-861176 David, M library is part of the consortium, but my library's rules are different. Plus, since I am the director, I can make exceptions. If you want a card, let me know :) David,

M library is part of the consortium, but my library’s rules are different. Plus, since I am the director, I can make exceptions. If you want a card, let me know :)

]]> By: David Rothman http://www.teleread.com/drm/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/comment-page-1/#comment-860205 David Rothman Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:11:11 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/07/25/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/#comment-860205 Jeff, thanks for the tip. If/when I'm ever in Phoenix again, I'll follow up. An out-of-stater can get the card for $20, indeed, but must apply in person. Teletransportation, anybody? More seriously, I'd welcome suggestions from you and others as to choices besides NYC. For now, kudos to Phoenix. I need to check, but it's even possible that the OverDrive collection of PDFs is even bigger than in NYC. David Jeff, thanks for the tip. If/when I’m ever in Phoenix again, I’ll follow up. An out-of-stater can get the card for $20, indeed, but must apply in person. Teletransportation, anybody?

More seriously, I’d welcome suggestions from you and others as to choices besides NYC.

For now, kudos to Phoenix. I need to check, but it’s even possible that the OverDrive collection of PDFs is even bigger than in NYC.

David

]]> By: Mike Cane http://www.teleread.com/drm/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/comment-page-1/#comment-860054 Mike Cane Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:09:27 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/07/25/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/#comment-860054 OK, I have to admit my mouth is watering. I have the magic FREE FREE FREE NYPL card (NYCer here). But I haven't even used e-borrowing with my desktop ADE! OK, I have to admit my mouth is watering. I have the magic FREE FREE FREE NYPL card (NYCer here). But I haven’t even used e-borrowing with my desktop ADE!

]]> By: Jeff http://www.teleread.com/drm/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/comment-page-1/#comment-860027 Jeff Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:32:55 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/07/25/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/#comment-860027 Paul, I am sorry your local library doesn't provide this service. I am sure with the proliferation of ebooks, more libraries will provide this service. (If you get a library card with Phoenix, it is only $20 for one year.) Since you don't have one locally, you can shop around :) Paul,

I am sorry your local library doesn’t provide this service. I am sure with the proliferation of ebooks, more libraries will provide this service.

(If you get a library card with Phoenix, it is only $20 for one year.) Since you don’t have one locally, you can shop around :)

]]> By: Paul Biba http://www.teleread.com/drm/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/comment-page-1/#comment-859798 Paul Biba Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:12:09 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/07/25/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/#comment-859798 Great article about Overdrive. I had no idea what it was! Unfortunately, my local library doesn't belong and the fees for other libraries that I checked ($100/$150) don't make economic sense. I can buy a lot of ebooks for that. Great article about Overdrive. I had no idea what it was!

Unfortunately, my local library doesn’t belong and the fees for other libraries that I checked ($100/$150) don’t make economic sense. I can buy a lot of ebooks for that.

]]> By: Mike Tobola http://www.teleread.com/drm/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/comment-page-1/#comment-859519 Mike Tobola Fri, 25 Jul 2008 06:14:38 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/blog/2008/07/25/e-bestsellers-and-other-goodies-from-your-local-library-via-overdrive-read-them-for-free-on-the-sony-prs-505/#comment-859519 It's funny because I recently wrote an article about not forgetting your public library as a great place to find digital media :-) Besides Overdrive there are two other services that my library(Seattle Public Library) offers and I am sure they are available through other libraries as well. They are: <a href="http://library.netlibrary.com/Home.aspx" rel="nofollow">netLibrary</a> - An online library of eBooks and music. They offer both Cliffs Notes and The Complete Idiot’s Guide series among others. <a href="http://my.safaribooksonline.com/alltitles" rel="nofollow">Safari Books Online</a> -“Access digital books on computing, databases, programming, Web design and more. The collection includes over 1,000 titles for the three most current years from publishers such as O’Reilly, Addison Wesley, Que and Sam’s Publishing. These digital books can be read while you are online.” I would say the best thing to do is just go check out your own libraries website to see what they are offering. For some other services that may be offered by your library, I have found a couple. <a href="http://www.eblib.com/default.asp" rel="nofollow">EBook Library</a> - They seem to focus on academic and research eBooks. <a href="http://www.ebrary.com/corp/aboutPublPartners.jsp" rel="nofollow">ebrary</a> - I couldn't find any information on what kind of books they offer but they have an extensive list of publishers that they offer material from. The only problem is that these websites seem to always hide their catalog of books so it is hard to see what they offer through their websites. It’s funny because I recently wrote an article about not forgetting your public library as a great place to find digital media :-)

Besides Overdrive there are two other services that my library(Seattle Public Library) offers and I am sure they are available through other libraries as well. They are:

netLibrary – An online library of eBooks and music. They offer both Cliffs Notes and The Complete Idiot’s Guide series among others.

Safari Books Online -“Access digital books on computing, databases, programming, Web design and more. The collection includes over 1,000 titles for the three most current years from publishers such as O’Reilly, Addison Wesley, Que and Sam’s Publishing. These digital books can be read while you are online.”

I would say the best thing to do is just go check out your own libraries website to see what they are offering.

For some other services that may be offered by your library, I have found a couple.

EBook Library – They seem to focus on academic and research eBooks.

ebrary – I couldn’t find any information on what kind of books they offer but they have an extensive list of publishers that they offer material from.

The only problem is that these websites seem to always hide their catalog of books so it is hard to see what they offer through their websites.

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