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Original poster

Borrow Box frustrations

27 replies

Eve · 15/06/2024 12:15

I love Borrow Box and listen to at least 2 books a week ( long commute) but find it so frustrating when I get into a series and there are gaps or as today , series of 8 and only 1-6 available.

Guess I need to get Audible and buy the missing ones.

OP posts:
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pumpkinpillow · 01/09/2024 03:56

If you have Spotify premium you get 15 hours of audiobook a month (limited to 2 titles I think).
I bounce around between that and BorrowBox and Audible.

Plotatoes · 31/08/2024 23:41

ChurchCats · 18/06/2024 16:05

You could see if Libby have them.

I also wonder why there is a waiting list for some Borrow Box books.
I'm sure I must be missing something but it is just an electronic thing-why can't it be loaned out dozens of times at once?
It's not as if it has is a physical book that has to be brought back and given to the next reader on the list.

I find the waiting lists make BorrowBox almost unusable for me. With over a week to go until a long drive, I tried to borrow any Roald Dahl or Isadora Moon/Mirabelle/Emerald book for my children to listen to. Nothing was available for literally months. I understand not necessarily being able to get exactly what you want but any old Roald Dahl book would have done and I'm sure if you walked into a library there would be a couple on the shelves. I know you can reserve them but I want to be able to borrow books when we have time to listen. I also don't want it to be a huge faff I need to think about 3 months in advance.

MrsBobtonTrent · 31/08/2024 23:31

I have one BorrowBox account but you can add different county library cards to the same account to increase the offering. Libby is useful as well.

I’ve found a lot on Spotify as well. Loads of free books, and also a lot more come free with the paid account - we share a family plan with some friends.

CrossPurposes · 31/08/2024 23:16

Wishitwasstraightforward · 31/08/2024 22:42

@CrossPurposes @nickyschof do you know whether you can only have membership to one Borrowbox location?

I'm a member of two local authority library services and can use Borrowbox via both of them.

Wishitwasstraightforward · 31/08/2024 22:42

@CrossPurposes @nickyschof do you know whether you can only have membership to one Borrowbox location?

AnOldCynic · 30/08/2024 04:33

Blimey, my local authority only has 380 books in Libby... I rarely use it.

CharnwoodFire · 30/08/2024 03:44

ChurchCats · 18/06/2024 21:15

It doesn't surprise me that my authority has 1000 less than yours!😡

Show quote history

How do you find out how many your local authority has?

CrossPurposes · 28/07/2024 11:48

Wishitwasstraightforward · 27/07/2024 23:33

I'm a bit confused as to how I can join borrowbox in different areas? I am a member for my own area. Could anyone help me work out how to set up memberships elsewhere please?

I've just joined a nearby local authority's library service online and I've already used their Borrowbox. My understanding is that most (all?) public library services allow you join as long as you have a UK address.

nickyschof · 28/07/2024 11:17

I just joined using my own address. Apparently they get a card ready to be connected in the library concerned, but I've never picked them up. They give you a PIN number and card number on an email ( if I remember correctly as it was a few years ago now).

Wishitwasstraightforward · 27/07/2024 23:33

I'm a bit confused as to how I can join borrowbox in different areas? I am a member for my own area. Could anyone help me work out how to set up memberships elsewhere please?

nickyschof · 26/06/2024 08:01

I've joined libraries all over the country to use the ebook service. I live in Yorkshire and have membership in a Carmarthen library. It doesn't seem to matter that my address is 100's of miles away from the physical library.

ChurchCats · 19/06/2024 09:41

That will keep you busy, @Eve

Original poster
Eve · 19/06/2024 08:44

My area doesnt have Libby - only borrowbox, but using DM address I was able to get a card in her area and its got 7K audiobooks!

OP posts:
ChurchCats · 18/06/2024 21:20

Mine isn't too bad, I suppose-despite having a 1000 less on Libby! They do get most new hardbacks in and if they don't have them, they nearly always buy them if they're requested.

Long live libraries! 👏😍

Swiftie69 · 18/06/2024 21:15

My county has a very good library system

ChurchCats · 18/06/2024 21:15

Swiftie69 · 18/06/2024 21:10

My authority has 3650 audio books on Libby

Show quote history

It doesn't surprise me that my authority has 1000 less than yours!😡

stayathomer · 18/06/2024 21:12

If the first six are on borrowbox there’s a chance those last two won’t be on audible, they might still be being processed for borrowbox

Swiftie69 · 18/06/2024 21:10

ChurchCats · 18/06/2024 21:08

That's true-@Swiftie69 The two and a half thousand are what is available in my area.

My authority has 3650 audio books on Libby

ChurchCats · 18/06/2024 21:08

That's true-@Swiftie69 The two and a half thousand are what is available in my area.

ChurchCats · 18/06/2024 21:07

Ah! Thank you for explaining @Swiftie69

@Eve Libby have two and a half thousand audio books available now-I've just looked.

Swiftie69 · 18/06/2024 21:06

Also for both libby and borrowbox you could try joining different libraries in neighbouring counties . They may have different selections

Swiftie69 · 18/06/2024 21:04

ChurchCats · 18/06/2024 16:05

You could see if Libby have them.

I also wonder why there is a waiting list for some Borrow Box books.
I'm sure I must be missing something but it is just an electronic thing-why can't it be loaned out dozens of times at once?
It's not as if it has is a physical book that has to be brought back and given to the next reader on the list.

It's because they only have a license for so many copies.

ChurchCats · 18/06/2024 21:03

@Eve
You access through it through your own library card, in much the same way as you do Borrow Box.. It is completely free: the choice isn't as wide but between Borrow Box and Libby, you might be able to find a complete series!

Google Libby audio books and the search will return Libby. Look for the section entitled: Getting Started With Libby and it will tell you how to download the app and how it works.

I'm not very bright with apps but even I was able to download-and now use it-on my phone.

Hope this helps and that it will be of some use to you!

Original poster
Eve · 18/06/2024 20:43

@ChurchCats

i’m being very dim - but how do I get a libby library card - there seems to be very few uk libraries ?

OP posts:
ChurchCats · 18/06/2024 16:05

You could see if Libby have them.

I also wonder why there is a waiting list for some Borrow Box books.
I'm sure I must be missing something but it is just an electronic thing-why can't it be loaned out dozens of times at once?
It's not as if it has is a physical book that has to be brought back and given to the next reader on the list.