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How do I borrow e books from Library my kindle is too old I think

(20 Posts)
seacliff Wed 31-Oct-18 15:15:18

I am confused as to how to borrow e books from Suffolk libraries, it doesn't seem very clear. Has anyone done this please? I may have to buy a new device to read on.

The library mentions downloading Over Drive available on a smart phone or tablet. My android phone is too small for me to read on, and I don't have a tablet.

I love my kindle, it's the old type with side press buttons to turn pages, not touch. I also have a slightly new touch on I hardly use.

I think Kindles are not compatible with Overdrive. They mention Sony, Kobo, Nook, PocketBook Touch, Tolino Vision. Can any of you give any advice please?

Pittcity Wed 31-Oct-18 15:39:04

Old Kindles are only compatible with Amazon unless you know a computer whizz who can convert the files to be compatible. I don't know about the Touch, but I can't put the necessary app on my Paperwhite.
You will need a tablet or smartphone for the library app.

seacliff Wed 31-Oct-18 15:56:47

Thanks I suspected as much re my old Kindle.

I have a smart phone, a Vodafone Ultra ^, but that is too small for me to read a book. I want a Kindle size.

What do you all use if borrowing e books from library? Is the choice as good as normal books, I assume not.

I like using an ereader as I can make the font bigger, unlike normal books. I can't afford to keep buying the e books I really want, hence this idea.

Pittcity Wed 31-Oct-18 16:26:14

There are some cheap tablets or even second hand ones from the likes of cash converters...no need to buy an expensive iPad.
You then need to download the app from the link on the library web page and put in your library card number and choose a password. You can then download books. There is a limited choice and you can only keep them for a limited time until they are erased from your device. Some ebooks in Essex have a 2 month waiting list....?
Did you know that you can also download magazines from the library? I read Woman&Home etc. on the day they hit the shops free.

Bathsheba Wed 31-Oct-18 16:48:13

I've only downloaded one book so far and I had to wait over a week for that one. I imagine it's something to do with the library only being licensed for x number of copies being used at any one time. Our local library allows 21 days, I think it is, to read the book - pretty much the same as print books I believe.
I'm not sure I'll use the service that much to be honest as I don't really like reading on my iPad - the battery runs out so quickly and I'm forever having to charge it. I guess I'm too used to my Kindle Paperwhite, which lasts for ages between charges.

seacliff Wed 31-Oct-18 17:00:28

Thanks for the feedback, really useful. Waiting over a week is not good. And I love my Kindle, so anything else may be a poor second.

Damned Amazon, not letting Kindles link with library service. They do in America!

Jane10 Wed 31-Oct-18 17:40:21

Our library would let you download books but need a more up to date version of Kindle than I have. I'm not keen to upgrade as it works fine. Will just wait until it gives up the ghost then get a more up to date version. Not blaming Amazon. My kindle is years old and has done me very well.

blossom14 Wed 31-Oct-18 17:43:10

Seacliff I also love my old Kindle and use 'bookbub' and 'ereader iq uk' to look for freebies and price drops.

As I devour books I am thinking of asking for Amazon vouchers this year for Christmas. As you say buying e books can become rather expensive. Also my sight it is not quite what it once was and I can turn up the font for reading in bed.

Sar53 Wed 31-Oct-18 18:19:28

Slightly off subject but if you pay for Amazon Prime, £79 per year, you not only get free delivery on goods you get loads of Prime books and magazines to download for free plus every month you get a choice of 6 books, to download one of them for free. You also get all the programmes on Amazon plus catch up on a smart tv. We have one Amazon account and can download the same book to 2 different Kindle plus my tablet.
Loads of e-books are only 99p on Amazon as well.

seacliff Wed 31-Oct-18 19:31:32

Yes thanks I am registered with iqreader, and have now gone on Book bubs too, which I didn't know about.

I want to read lots of womens literature which never seems very cheap. Like Elizabeth Berg, Anne Tyler, Ann Cleeves, Hilary Boyd etc. etc.

I read really quickly, so just can't afford more that £1 or £2 too often. I have also had Amazon vouchers as presents in the past, bliss.

I agree Blossom, my old kindle is great for reading in bed, easy to click side and turn the page, and I have the case with a light above, and the option to enlarge the font if it's small.

Oh well, I may have to go back to the library with a list of authors and get proper books out again.

Purpledaffodil Wed 31-Oct-18 19:44:41

I used to download library books on my Kobo until my husband “kindly” gave it away. It was a bit of a faff but useful for books I didn’t want to keep. As others have said, Kindles are not compatible with Over Drive.
I second Book Hub as a useful source of bargains and freebies. There is also Www.Gutenberg.org which has a lot of classic books for free and I think is compatible with Kindle

Floradora9 Wed 31-Oct-18 21:05:32

I have a brand new kindle ( gave DH my old one ) and I still cannot download our libray's e books . I can get them on my kindle fire . There kindle fires can be bought for less than 50 pounds , a lot less if you look out for them on Black Friday and Amazon Prime days .

Elegran Wed 31-Oct-18 21:14:29

Have you gone into your library and actually spoken to someone, or are you relying on what their website says? A real live person can erxplain it all to you mush better, and advise you what kind of reader you need.

As someone has said, there is no need to buy an expensive I-Pad, a cheap second-hand tablet will do just as well. You can download the e-books from home once you are all set up to read them.

seacliff Wed 31-Oct-18 23:02:06

Yes I went into my library, with my trusty Kindle. It's only a small town, one lady there, and she had no idea at all. She couldn't even find the relevant leaflet. I ended up saying, don't worry, I'll look it up myself.

I'm going to look at the Amazon Fire tablets as some have suggested. I want something easy to hold and read in bed, and that won't give me eye strain.

If I'm getting a tablet, I want the one that's best for my needs. I see some have Alexa. Could I also use a tablet for listening to radio, sorry if a stupid question, they seem to do everything but cook the dinner.

I am still not sure, as the availability and choice of ebooks doesn't seem as great as I'd first thought. I may ring our main large county library and ask them.

Buffybee Wed 31-Oct-18 23:17:20

Hi seacliff, I've got a Kindle Fire and download from the library.
I love it and you can get audio books as well and magazines.
And yes, you can listen to the radio on Kindle Fire!
They've started a new scroll feature for books so you can swipe or scroll now.

seacliff Wed 31-Oct-18 23:30:39

Thanks Buffybee. Can I ask which model you have, please.

Buffybee Thu 01-Nov-18 00:21:31

Hi, Its the Kindle Fire HD 8" with Alexa
This is my third Kindle and I've had this one for a couple of years, it was £129.99 when it first came out but you can get them cheaper now, about £80 to £100.
I wouldn't have any other tablet, my family all have ipads, which they seem to change quite often or they break, my little Kindles go on and on.
If I remember, I got mine from Currys, the tech guy said they were great little work horses and he couldn't fault them.

Karanlouise Thu 01-Nov-18 09:52:05

Hi Seacliff I use overdrive from my local library in Dorset. I have a cheap 10 inch Android tablet and it works fine on there. But any tablet will work. Overdrive is great for a free service but like you I am a prolific reader and they don't change the titles that often. But still well worth joining. Enjoy, happy reading.

NonnaW Thu 01-Nov-18 13:52:47

I used to download books from Suffolk libraries when I had my Sony e-reader, but now I have a kindle I can no longer get anything from the library.

seacliff Thu 01-Nov-18 16:09:44

Thanks all of you. I just joined Overdrive, and am reading a book on my laptop, just to test it out. I looked for Hilary Boyd books, there were only four, one a really old one, so not much choice at all, I'm quite disappointed.

Of course I can't read on laptop in bed etc and I do think it will strain my eyes. I have blepharitis so have trouble with too much screen use.

I suspect that if the choice of books is poor and limited, I will give up on this idea. I'll go back to real books and a few kindle books. We'll see.