Why don't more people borrow e-books from the library instead of buying?

Borrowbox was brilliant during lockdown (still is.....) especially for audio books. We do buy too many books but borrow a lot via Borrowbox too - it takes the risk out of trying new authors. We're divesting subscription services having added up how much they were costing per month, so no more audible and I'm trying to persuafe DH to bin Prime - Borrowbox and BBC Sounds mean we can still access audio books and drama. Love it.

I didn't know this was a thing. Thank you for sharing

@DebiNewberry1997 yes kindle E readers aren't tablets. They're much better for reading due to their screens and lack of blue backlight (don't know how to describe it). I only charge mine once a month.

BorrowBox is on my kids' Kindle Fire and on my iPad.

Are kindle devices different from the app? I've never had one. I use the kindle app for reading usually.

I borrow audio books and the app isn't too bad (much improved from a few years ago), but I can only borrow five a month, there's often a wait, and by the time I get to read in the evening and find a book I want to check out, my library has usually reached its daily borrowing limit in the regional system.

Most people have a kindle, which doesn't support library apps (why would they let you gey the books for free when they could make money from you!)

Not all books are available.

Those that are available, may have a waiting list, especially new titles and people don't like to wait.

Ok. My daft question for the day...I don't see why you have to wait for E-books. Do libraries pay for x copies?

They buy a license for the ebook which includes a certain number of "copies" that can be lent out at any given time. This is to ensure fair renumeration for authors, publishers etc. and to try and make it more equivalent to a print book.

It's the only way it can work really, having a free for all would result in very unfair pay for those creating and publishing books.

Ok. My daft question for the day...I don't see why you have to wait for E-books. Do libraries pay for x copies?

I hate real library books. I hate the smell of them. I hate that they're so filthy.

I will buy them from charity shops though., but only if they don't look minging.

@2022HereWeCome. Why do you care?

I buy books because I FAR prefer real books than reading on a screen. Why shouldn't I buy books?

Physical books are more immersive.

BorrowBox works on a kindle

I didn’t have to visit to provide id in feb this year.

I have a kindle paperwhite. Love it. Hate when I borrow hard copies off friends. Don't enjoy reading them as much. Kindle so much handier for reading beside a partner at night or in the bath. I use the library overdrive app occasionally but then I have to read them on my phone. I'm too tight to pay £4/£5 for books that I know I can get free

Regarding joining other libraries, all I did was go online and read which libraries would let me join even if I didn't live in their county.

I live in Leicestershire and already had a Leicestershire County and a Leicester City card.
I then joined the adjacent counties of Derbyshire, Nottingham City, Lincolnshire, Warwickshire and Staffordshire. I then went further afield and joined Monmouthshire, Bedford Borough and finally Rotherham.
And no, I've not been into those libraries in person, there's no need to.

My kindle was bought for me as a surprise gift, but I would be wary of buying other e-readers because the e-ink screen is important to me and I don't know whether other ones have that, I seem to remember that a lot didn't back when the kindle was new. I would also be unsure whether their catalogue is as large as the kindle one because kindle seems to be the market leader.

I didn't realise when I received it that it wouldn't be compatible with library books, it is a bit annoying that it's not.

I would go in to ours more often but it's hardly open except when I'm at work. I do try and use it though.

My local library is under threat of closure. There has just been a big push to keep it open that was successful, but on reduced hours. Going into the library and getting physical books helps their stats and the argument for keeping it open. I go regularly with my kids. There is a better selection there than on borrowbox.

Also, I've not worked out how to get borrow box on my kindle paperwork and don't love reading off normal screens.

I wonder whether those who prefer books have tried an e reader?

Yes I have - I have a kindle I use occasionally. I find it useful in some circumstances but it’s soulless. It doesn’t feel good in my hands. I wouldn’t want a house devoid of books and I consider it a great joy to peruse friends bookshelves. E-readers will never replace books in the same way downloads haven’t replaced vinyl.

You can have Overdrive on a kindle fire if you library uses that. I would also like to know how to join other libraries, without an address!! Those of you singing the joys of real books,spare a thought for those of us whose eyes have gone, and for whom the enlarge font on e books is a godsend. I love real paper books, but can pretty much no longer read them.

Because I do not know how to!

I wonder whether those who prefer books have tried an e reader?
Not an app on a tablet and not a kindle fire but a proper e reader?

An e reader is much easier on the eyes than a tablet and as I often struggle to sleep I can read in bed without waking DH.

I had thousands of books and never thought I would switch to e readers. I had book cases all over the house and I am not short of space.
In reality I never re-read books, nor do I know anyone who I could pass them on to since my DF died. I have got rid of almost all my paper books and the freedom from clutter and dust gathering shelves is amazing.

Having said all that I dislike the Kobo compared with a kindle and wish I had replaced my kindle as the catalogue of library books is so poor.