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

Oxfordshire library let anyone join, then you can access their collection online with overdrive/Libby. Their very easy to register with too.

I LOVE my kobo so much, always swore I wouldn’t have one but the paper quality in books is so poor now I couldn’t read comfortably but the kobos so light and the screens much easier to read.

Any books overdrive doesn’t have I check on Z library or just google the title and pdf, then save to my kindle app and read on the pad.

Since being given a paperwhite I read far more. I love the ease. I'll investigate the library e-reader but if it requires another device I probably won't. I am with a pp about IT in my downtime. I have supported the libraries loads in the past and still visit occasionally, so I don't feel too terrible about this.

I only use an E-reader occasionally as I find them soulless. You also can’t share ebooks around when you’ve finished with them so try to get physical copies - new, second hand and borrowed. I do try to use the library as they’re a fantastic resource and they won’t get funded if everyone buys. It’s one of those services that probably wouldn’t be “invented” if it didn’t already exist.

I don't read on a kindle- prefer a real book and my audible. I read so little these days , that I need to make it really easy for me.

I've never thought to. We go to the library and I was aware there is an online facility but haven't explored it. Maybe I should especially for my elder son. Do they restrict the books kids can download? He's 14 and likes to read from the adult section.

I have the Libby app on my iPhone and do use it if I can find something I fancy reading but often end up buying things through kindle as they have a lot more choice in terms of titles etc.

I have had a kindle (e-reader) for years, since before my library started offering ebooks, and I don’t want to buy a different e-reader just to read library ebooks. I know I could put the library app on my phone or tablet but I don’t want to read books on a phone or tablet screen.

My kids use BorrowBox for audiobooks. I think it's brilliant!

Because a book is a tangible thing you can feel. You might wonder if the person that read that particular book you now have had the same feelings about it as you did. It doesn't need a power supply, can be read in the bath, beach, bed etc.

Ebooks lack that connection. I'm studying at uni and a lot of my group buy the books we need from eBay for 99p as you can write in them, add post it notes etc and can keep on a shelf for reference. If your laptop fails or a library site is down over a weekend you are stuffed.

I use Borrowbox on my phone. I found out about it during the pandemic and have read far more as a result.

I don't borrow ebooks because I want the author to be renumerated for their work; unless it's a top seller writing isn't very lucrative unfortunately.

I have had both a Kobo and a Sony e-reader. Both were clunky and not easy to use, along with trying to navigate the library app. My kindle is so much easier to use, I'd much rather just spend 99p on a book than struggle with the library app.

I simply like paper books better

I hate reading on a screen. I am rarely found without a paperback in my bag, from the library.

I love the library apps, I have Libby, BorrowBox and CloudLibrary! Using holds I can mostly get the books I want and occasionally I buy a kindle one or a second hand paperback for those not in the library. How ds2 is severely dyslexic with a reading age years behind his actual age, so it's really important to get audiobooks for him but they are often a long wait on the library apps. Therefore we have an audible account (free for a year with an O2 phone offer) and I use all the credits exclusively for his books as I don't mind waiting for library reserves.

1. I don’t really like ebooks, prefer actual books - you can’t read an ebook in the bath, the battery doesn’t run out on an actual book etc etc
2. I do have the Borrowbox app but it is hard to browse and very rarely has any specific book on it I’m looking for, and when it does the book is on loan
3. I do borrow e-books but they almost never get read
4. The physical library is 15 minutes walk from my house, much easier and more pleasant to browse
5. I can order almost any book from the physical library for free and it almost always arrives within a week. I have about 10 holds at any one time and there is almost always a book waiting for me (it’s a Georgette Heyer at the moment).

I like holding books and physically turning pages so ill continue to buy books

Because I’d rather buy it because I can afford it and if I want to keep it indefinitely I can

I use BorrowBox and they very rarely have the books I want to read. But when they do, I'll borrow them. Usually requesting them and waiting for a couple of months.

As I've been ardently collecting the kindle first free stuff since they started it, been canny with the 99p sales and often borrow from the kindle library (that comes with Prime membership) I don't feel like I'm missing out.

I probably still have at least 300 unread free books in my kindle waiting for a moment to be read.

However as a self confessed book worm I do also make sure my local library is kept on it's toes for physical books so they can justify their existence.

I did look into what e books are available via our local library (because my mother is always talking about how great they are) but our local library service is pretty dreadful anyway and isnt any better for e books. The selection is very poor plus you have to reserve and wait in a 1-3 week queue for almost all that is available. Meh. Easier to just pick up a book and read it.

I bought a Kindle because thats what fit my needs. There's a reason why they're the most popular ereader.I borrowed a couple of ebooks on my phone from the library but didn't like having a time limit to read them. I've got Kindle unlimited now. If i buy a Kindle book and don't like it i can return it. Plus with my library, if someone else has borrowed it you have to wait. So I'll just download it on Kindle instantly. It just doesn't make any sense to use a service that's less good than the one amazon provides.

If you are not IT literate it's just a huge faff ... please don't tell me it's 'instinctive'. I spend too much time at work grappling with IT and don't want to do it in my spare time. I use the library to borrow books in the old fashioned way and buy from charity shops.