Okay, that doesn't sound too exciting. Unless you consider that I am sitting here at home without transportation, and the nearest library is 15 or 20 miles away.
As of today, Kindle has library lending. Woohoo! And it is cool.
This is how it works. If your local library has Overdrive, log on to their website. (For the record, the Elko Library currently doesn't. I'm not going to say where I got my book. It's just a good thing I have been saving all those library cards from all of the other places we have lived. After checking them all, it appears Elko is just about the only library system that doesn't have Overdrive yet.) Browse through the ebooks until you find one that you want that has copies available. (This is probably the most difficult part. Apparently ebooks are very popular to check out.) When you find something, click on the "Add to Digital Book Cart" link for the Kindle copy. When you check out, it will take you to a "library copy" page on Amazon's website where you click the button, just like you would if you were buying it. There's even a drop-down menu to choose which device to send it to, if you have more than one. The book is sent wirelessly, just like buying one off Amazon (although I read somewhere that it will only send library books over wi-fi, not 3G). It will also give you an option to download the file to your computer for USB transfer.
On the one hand, it seems almost superfluous, since I already have more books on my Kindle than I will probably ever read. However, the book I checked out (1984) is one I have been wanting to read but didn't want to buy, and my local library doesn't have it (what's up with that?) Plus checking out and reading books on the kindle is so much more convenient. I wonder if they have any Ramona...
4 comments:
I haven't bought a Kindle yet. Is it a good thing?
Yes. I LOVE my Kindle. Even more than I thought I would. It is so convenient, I have been reading a lot more since getting it. And the library lending has made it even better, especially since our local library is far enough away to be inconvenient to get to regularly.
In fact, after thinking about all of the new Kindle offerings, I think the one I have (now named "Kindle with Keyboard") is still the best option for me. I don't think I'd really want a touch screen, and while a tablet would be fun to have, I think it would end up being used more for games than anything, which I don't really need.
I haven't wanted a Kindle because I like to hold the book and turn the page but I like the idea of rental.
I think that is the way most people feel (I did) until they try it. Interestingly, I read a thing from a former kindle tech support guy where he said a large percentage of kindle owners are older people whose kids give them the kindles. They wouldn't have bought a kindle for themselves, but they end up loving it.
BTW, we already own two grain mills and two dehydrators and probably won't be buying more anytime soon, and I doubt any of my readers will click on your links. Thanks for furthering the discussion, though.
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