Last week I finally dipped my toe into e-loaning.
I’ve had my Nook for over a year, and go to the library all the time (also the bookstore, in person and electronically), but it took me until now to get over my hesitation to e-loan. I’m glad I did – although it was a bit complicated to set up, now I can download books to my Nook from the library without leaving my house!
Here’s a step-by-step guide to how to e-loan at my local library (your mileage may vary, but I suspect most libraries are getting on board with the digital revolution). But here’s the basics:
1) Have an online account with your library.
2) Browse their e-books
3) Download some software that will manage the files for you
4) Drag and drop them to your e-reader.
It’s really pretty simple and there are lots of popular (and less popular) titles. Surprisingly, there were more kids books (middle grade and young adult) than adult titles! You may have to go on the wait list for the really popular ones, just like the real library.
Have you ever e-loaned a book?
Very cool! I need to get on board and try this as I have zero time these days to hit the library. Browsing from home is a nice alternative 🙂
I don't have an e-reader, but if I did I'd be all over this!
Oh, I am def. going to have to check this out (no pun intended). 🙂
I tried to e-loan a book, but I couldn't figure out how to squish the hardcover into the disk drive.
@Lisa It is pretty cool!
@Matt We've got to get you on board the digital revolution. Bryan is a hold out.
@Shannon There's lots of YA books! I was amazed.
@Bryan Ha. You paper hold out, you. 🙂
I have always been curious about this e-book loaning thing! Believe it or not, you are only the second person I've seen talk about it. So you can just drag and drop it into your Nook software and then it uploads into your nook? Cool! I'm still debating whether to get a nook or an ipad or a netbook maybe with nook software on it….
@Margo It's really easy to use, once you set it up. I have a netbook, but I don't like to read on it (screen is not made for it, especially in bright light, a problem the e-readers do not have). I'll be curious to see what you decide!
Hiya, great post on e-loaning! I've also awarded you a blog award, you can view it on my blog 😀
@Magic Thanks for the award!! 🙂
This is so interesting. I just got a Kindle a month ago and can't afford to keep buying ebooks, so a trip to the library is in order this week. I have no idea how it works. This is so cool that you can download ebooks from home. How long do you get to keep them for? Two weeks?
By the way, I'm so glad I started tweeting yesterday. Today there was a tweet from James Scott Bell saying that his book" Write Great Fiction – Plot & Structure" is now only $1.99 for Kindles. What a deal! Then I just saw another tweet from him saying someone gave him a heads up that it's also on sale for $1.99 for the Nook, too! Can't beat that!
@Lyn You know, I'm not sure! I think 2 weeks, but I didn't check. And I love JSB! I already have Plot&Structure or I'd hop all over that deal! Thanks for letting us know!
I don't have an e-reader either, but I'm tweeting this for my friend that do.
How long does the book stay before it disappears? Can you renew it?
@Natasha Thanks for the tweet!
@Theresa I just looked and it looks like a 14 day period. You can't renew, but you can check them out again, if they come available again.
I have been oblivious to this opportunity. I'm so glad you walked us through it! I'm game to try it now.
@Leslie Yay! Another convert. 🙂
I am in love with ebook lending! I keep a running list of 6 books on hold and wait for the next one to come in.
I haven't done but but I'd love to! I have a Kindle. I'm going to look into this. 🙂