kilo

I found out my library does ebooks. I just checked out "Lovely Bones". They use Adobe and Mobi with DRM, thus the DRM expiration date is the "due back" date. Additionally you cant get a book anytime you want. If a book is "checked out" you have to get on a list to download it. It works just like checking out a hard bound book. So far so good. You might want to see if your local library supports ebooks. Michigan users click here.

eve6grl02

that's really neat! although i don't quite understand the reason for allowing only one person to read the book at a time...i mean, that's the beauty of electronic books! the library can have a single copy, and infinite number of people can copy it onto their machine. i guess they're doing it to keep track of the book, and make sure no one is stealing a copy...

still, really neat!

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Gigi

I just checked my local library and it offers this too:

Toronto Public Library Ebooks Registration

kilo

Originally Posted by eve6grl02

that's really neat! although i don't quite understand the reason for allowing only one person to read the book at a time...i mean, that's the beauty of electronic books! the library can have a single copy, and infinite number of people can copy it onto their machine. i guess they're doing it to keep track of the book, and make sure no one is stealing a copy... still, really neat!

Think of the book as software... many companies have "application servers" instead of 5,000 copies of Word on 5,000 desktops. What are the odds that all 5,000 will be using Word at the same time? Not likely. So, the company buys 3,500 liscenses for Word even though all 5,000 PC's have Word installed.

On a much smaller scale, I am sure the library has only so many "e-copies" of a book that are allowed out at the same time. Could be possibly because of an agreement with the publisher. Either way, there is a good chance you can download a bestseller and read it for free durning the DRM'ed alloted time.

I think its a pretty neat idea myself. While most people loath DRM, I think using DRM for "loaner" e-books is a great use of DRM.

Kilo

Bleyn

The only real question I'd have on this is how would one go about renewing an e-book checked out in this fashion? If it was a long book, and I hadn't finished reading it in the check-out period, I would hate to have to go back on the list to get a chance to check it again and finish reading it.

HouTex1

After reading about it here, I checked, and my local Montgomery County, Texas library also has ebooks available. Perhaps it's spread clear across the country now, that all libraries are going to have ebooks available? :approve:

ickeal

Just checked and the state of Maryland has ebooks. The system links to all county libraries in the state. The link is below:

Maryland's Digital eLibrary Consortium

kilo

Originally Posted by Bleyn

The only real question I'd have on this is how would one go about renewing an e-book checked out in this fashion? If it was a long book, and I hadn't finished reading it in the check-out period, I would hate to have to go back on the list to get a chance to check it again and finish reading it.

Good question... I will have to check my library's ebook FAQ. I would imagine that if no one is waiting for the ebook you can just check the book out again. However, if someone is "waiting" for the ebook you will have to "get back in line" just like you would if you had a "real" book due back with someone waiting for it and you had not finished. Thats my guess.

Rrrockhound

The trouble with most of these is you have to show up in person to get a library card for access. I had to ask my mother in Cleveland to let me use her card number because there is no such service here in Columbus.