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 got a Kindle before I realised I couldn't borrow books for it.
I prefer to limit my screen time anyway, though, so borrow real books/buy some secondhand and the odd one new, and mix that with buying Kindle books largely for if I'm going away.

I read. A LOT. Actual books but mostly on my kindle. But I hate reading on my phone. I hate any notifications disturbing me. I could only access the library app on my phone or iPad not my kindle. So I don’t use it.

Can you do this on the kindle?? I had no idea. But do borrow from the library

Because I love to see what I read. I like the idea of holding books too, e books are not the same thing unfortunately as paper/hardback books. Nothing is the same when it comes to e books.

I like the ability to read leisurely as well. One other drawback of e books is the appalling limited choice. Even if the library does not have what I want to read (which is rare) I will hunt for it on Amazon instead or go to a bookshop. And nothing trumps being able to pick up a book and read it quietly.

I suppose i don't mind waiting x sweeks for the book on libby as i KNOW the people have to give it up after 14 days, no delaying and the people who have them tend to read fast anyway. So it goes quicker.

Often wait times are very different at the 2 boroughts i have the choice from so i always check both.

And its more for authors I am not that fussed about - the new James patterson i will get via the libary in book form. But the next Jane Fallon/Jane Green etc, can be ebook and i add it and it arrives in the future sometime. I read all Chris Carters 9 books during lockdown, its handy for working through series.

(i also have around 1000 actual books in my house, probably tons of kindle books unread - not turned my e-reader on in a year but i do read them via the Kindle app on my phone instead. Just means i always have 3-4 different books on the go and always one on me (via my iphone).

I’ve got a Kindle but I much prefer reading a paperback, dunno why. And if it’s an author I like I know I’ll want to reread, so buying the book is an investment. Plus I like to support authors with book sales – they make some money directly from library checkouts through PLR/ALCS but sales count for more in terms of publishers looking at new contracts and advances.

@iloveyankeecandle

Can you do this on the kindle?? I had no idea. But do borrow from the library

No, you can't; that's the point of the thread. Other readers support borrowed books, not Kindles.

I used to, all the time. Then my library stopped using Overdrive and went to BorrowBox instead. At this point the quality of available books dropped massively and the BorrowBox was much faffier to use on my (7 year old) Kobo.

I think I'd need to upgrade my Kobo to use it properly, but I can't stomach chucking away a good working Kobo, especially as the book selection seems poor

My borough's choice on Libby is pretty dire - I've almost never found anything I wanted on there. Audio is a bit better but sadly can't use audiobooks.

So how does this joining libraries up and down the country work then? Do you physically go into a library on your travels and sign up? Pretty sure I needed paper proof of address/bill for my local one and you can't do it online, although perhaps that's changed with Covid.

Essentially what @musicmaiden said- I don't read romances or thrillers, and I already own all the Harry Potter books. Our borough's Libby offering is dire. I downloaded the Libby app at the start of the pandemic, and haven't used it since about April 2020.

@HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime

I suspect most people aren't aware. My library uses the libby app and it's full of audio books, ebboks, emagazines etc it's a brilliant resource.

I love this app! And it's free?

Great when I don't get into a book and don't feel I have to persevere regardless due to the cost factor!

I use a combination of things. My library uses Borrowbox and Libby. I access both through apps on my phone, iPad mini and an old tablet, one problem I find is that reading soon runs the battery down. This might be because both iPad and tablet are old. I don’t like reading using my phone as I find the screen too small. Sometimes there is quite a wait for a title. The thing that annoys me is that if I start reading a series they never have the full series. I always have to go elsewhere.
I also use the actual library as I live in a village and like to support it. I can order books online for 30p. Borrowbox was great during lockdown when the library was closed.

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.

Because I do not know how to!

@RedMozzieYellowMozzie

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

Yes I agree. Lighter to hold in bath or bed and easy to see the screen in sunlight (unlike a tablet or phone).

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.

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.

My Kobo is water-resistant and can be read in the bath perfectly safely (better than paperbacks which have been known to fall in ...). I love my Kobo - it's just as good as the Kindle if not better. It really is worth looking at the options out there if you are looking for a new device

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 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 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.

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.

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

@Fluffycloudland77

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 just registered with Oxfordshire library but not sure how the visiting one of the branches for Id is going to work as I'm miles away. I was curious if they have more books available than we do in our county

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