Although most of the national news stories I have seen mention that the library eBooks for Kindle service is available in Seattle and other parts of the country, I haven’t seen any other mention of large library systems that have also started the service. Well, I can verify that the Philadelphia Free Library, as well as many of the library systems in counties surrounding Philadelphia are also taking part.
I have been using Overdrive for the iPhone for quite some time to enjoy digital copies of library books. If anyone reading this is unfamiliar with Overdrive, it is a free app for iPhone, Blackberry, Android, iPad, computers, and some eReaders that allows users to download digital copies of books and audiobooks via their local library’s website.
There is usually a waiting list for the more popular books, but you can have up to 10 different books on hold at a time. With a little waiting and some strategic scheduling, I’ve enjoyed some really nice audio books recently thanks to Overdrive, my iPhone, and an iPhone/iPod FM transmitter for my car. Actually, I listened to all three of the Hunger Games books, and a really great audio rendering of Orson Scott Card’s “modern-day” fairy tale, Enchantment.
I’ve also enjoyed reading a few short novels on my phone, though I currently prefer a “real” book before bed because the backlighting of the iPhone eReader programs seem to bother my eyes, even when read in night mode. (The Kindle eReader, of course does not cause the same problem.)
Full disclosure here is that I don’t currently own a Kindle so I haven’t tried this out, however the Philadelphia Free Library’s Web Site is offering ebooks for Kindles. The website says that nearly all of the previously available books are now also available in the Kindle version.
Here is a link to the books themselves for those of you with a Kindle or who are happy using the Kindle app on another device. I’ll still be enjoying Overdrive on my iPhone for now but decided to post this for anyone who hasn’t yet had the chance to check the Philadelphia Free Library Website for themselves.
Incidentally, the Library eBooks for Kindle service is also already available through the Chester County, PA libraries, Montgomery County, PA libraries, and the Delaware County, PA Libraries are participating as well.
For me, one of the greatest attractions of the Overdrive library eBooks system is the ability to download audiobooks straight into my iPhone, but now with the expansion to Kindles, all that is left to hope for is for the system to continue adding more books and more digital copies of the books already in stock.
Again, if you are not currently using Overdrive, all you really need is your library card number to start downloading and enjoying books. On the main library web site, there will be a little icon saying something about downloading audiobooks and ebooks. That’s the link you are looking for. Then just follow the instructions or figure out how to use Overdrive and download things onto your device and you are set.
Needless to say a visit to the library for some good old-fashioned books and study sessions in heavy wooden chairs and desks is also good for the soul so downloading eBooks doesn’t preclude stepping out to your local “reading hole” and enjoying yourself.
I have to say that one of the things I missed most during my 14 years in Japan was the fun and comfort of a trip to my local library. (Free libraries DO exist in Japan, but maybe a walk through those is fodder for another post someday… for now I wanted to get the good news about Kindles and libraries out there into the local discourse.)