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

[2022HereWeCome]

Just that really. I have a KOBO e-reader and chose a KOBO over a kindle simply because I would have the opportunity to borrow books from the library's digital collection. I don't understand why more people don't borrow e-books? My library has a fantastic selection of resources and often get new books digitally as soon as they're realised.

I save an absolute fortune not buying books unless it is something I really really want. Is it just because people can't see beyond buying a Kindle or think that other e-readers are rubbish? Or is it that I'm extremely lucky with my library's system / investment.

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

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.

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

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.

@Thatsajokeright

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.

Yes! I was just about to add, I am happy to pay, for the author to profit and receive reward for writing a book I’m happy to read. Ebooks are typically much cheaper than paper books, and I have no problem paying.

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'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 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 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.

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.

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.

I’ve always avoided kindle because in the early days it didn’t work with public libraries, plus, when I lived in the US there were a few cases of Amazon closing down someone’s library that received a lot of publicity. Link to one example, and it put me off.

I had a sony e-reader decades ago before switching to kobo. Books cost more on kobo imo. That’s ok as I buy fewer because I use the library.

I did wonder If Amazon had got involved because when I tried to buy a book before release recently the kobo webpage took me to Amazon.

You also can’t share ebooks around when you’ve finished with them

You can to a certain extent - I have a family library that my mum and dad share on their kindles.

Really it’s just because I started on kindle before there were library ebook apps. So my wish list and library are all in there and the books I read so cheap it’s not sufficient incentive to change.

Does the author get paid the same if everyone’s reading it via a library app?

My library uses Libby or BorrowBox. You can't actually access books on a kindle, just apps on your phone.
I tend to borrow audiobooks and listen to them on my commute, but I prefer the feel and size of actual books. I'd probably borrow more electronic versions if I could get them on my actual kindle.

I don't know you could and I've got a kindle so I can't. Great idea though.

*didnt

I read library books all the time on my Kobo. And I absolutely love the Libby app. I can spend ages browsing.

What a lot of you are not realising though is that you can join more than one library! I have 9 library cards from all over the country and so I can always pick up the book (or audiobook, or magazine) I want. If one library doesn't have the item I want another invariably does.

I've got a Kindle too but I much prefer the Kobo, I find it far more user friendly.

@Bushkin

Does the author get paid the same if everyone’s reading it via a library app?

Yes.

I borrow loads this way. I always check for new books if it's on Libby over physical books.
Often brand new not out books are in the physical library catalogue (on order) and not Libby so I reserve them that way.

I use it on my iPhone rather than any e-reader. Handy for the tube etc.

I have access to 2 different London boroughs books so plenty of choices.

Aren't Overdrive and Libby the same thing? I use Libby but often can't find the book I want or the wait list is very long.

It doesn't need a power supply, can be read in the bath, beach, bed etc.

My kindle paperwhite is better for all of these things than a paper book

I'm not keen on reading e-books on a phone or tablet. I use a basic kindle that won't work with libby/overdrive. I also work right beside the library so pop into during my lunchbreak for physical books - this is a pleasant routine for me, not a chore.

If I found myself stuck for the books I wanted to read, I'd sort out access fairly quickly - I did set up an account and experiment with it previously. At the moment, it doesn't feel like something I need.