How to borrow ebooks from National libraries

[linden2000]

lapapillion:

linden2000:

Just to add on, you can reserve a book if it's currently unavailable. You'll receive an email notification once it's available after which you have to login to NLB to borrow it within 2 days. Making reservations is free. But for some of the more popular books, the waiting list can be long so patience is needed.

Wow, I didn't know ebook reservation is free I did reserve a physical book though, and it costs $1.55. Still cheap Okay, maybe I should start reserving harry potter's book haha

I think the bad thing about ebooks on NLB is that the number of copies available for borrowing is too little. Maybe 1-2 copies only. That's pathetic, but it's also understandable because of the IP thingy.

Yup ebook reservation is free. But for the most popular books, there are sometimes more than 20 people on the waiting list. So I usually give these a miss or go buy the book if really want to read it.

[schweppes]

I always reserve books at NLB. Helps me save $$ and shelf space too.


Actually hor... think it'll be faster to get the physical books I want at a faster rate too. For popular book titles, there cd be more than 10 copies per title. So the wait time is not that bad.

Just signed up their eResource facility. Have made reservations for Mitch Albom's The Timekeeper. At only 2 digital copies to loan out, I'm like no. 60 on the wait list. Talk about keeping time for that book. haha

[verykiasumummy]

is there a limit to the ebooks that are available?? anyone happens to know if craft books and sewing books are available as ebooks too??

[schweppes]

verykiasumummy:

is there a limit to the ebooks that are available?? anyone happens to know if craft books and sewing books are available as ebooks too??

only 6 ebooks are allowed to be checked out. not too sure about art and craft type books. think those are likely to be physical books for loan

[lapapillion]

verykiasumummy:

is there a limit to the ebooks that are available?? anyone happens to know if craft books and sewing books are available as ebooks too??

Picture is worth a thousand words

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[tired mom]

schweppes:

tired mom:

If you are using handheld device, can also download the app \"overdrive media console\". just follow the instructions in the app, borrowing ebooks is a breeze with this!

so, with this app,

- do u mean we can borrow/ download the ebooks from NLB easily?
- are there expiry dates for NLB ebooks?
- do we have to pay any fees for the downloads per book?

tks

Looks like you have already started on it and having fun
But will still answer the q for the benefit of others:

-- on this app, we can browse through the ebooks available (eg. fiction, non-fiction...), then checkout the book we want to borrow using our NRIC number or library membership number, then download it to the reader on our device. Very fuss-free.

-- we can borrow each ebook for 21 days. After 21 days, the ebook will disappear automatically from the reader, so no need to worry about book overdue!

-- all borrowing and reservations are free, subject to max of 6 books each time.

Have fun!

[ChiefKiasu]

lapapillion:

Folks, you know these days there are so many ipads, tablets, smartphones floating around the market, it'll be a waste not to be able to utiltise the ability of such gadgets to read books.


You can actually borrow ebooks from our very own national libraries! I've done it quite a few times so if you need any help, feel free to PM me There are all sorts from young adult fiction (harry potter included!) as well as more interactive books (those that reads out loud and with interactive pictures and media) for younger children!

The instructions for it is actually quite lengthy, so I'll just post a link here for those interested:

http://bullythebear.blogspot.sg/2012/08/how-to-borrow-ebooks-from-nlb.html

Thanks lapapillion! I finally have a reason to call up NLB to reset my digital password which I have completely forgotten all these years.

It is a great idea... except that it is truly frustrating that even as an e-book, the system does NOT allow more than 2-5 copies to be borrowed out at any time!!! So now we are programming the virtual world to have all the limitations of the real world :siao:

All the popular books are checked out or on a long waitlist. So even if I wanted to try the system, I don't get the same instant gratification as I would if I simply buy and return books from my Kindle.

If NLB really wants this system to be really popular, it must address this archaic rental mode. No, I am under no illusions about copyright and royalties. Of course it costs NLB money to provision the e-books. Of course it must observe the copyright protection of these e-books. But to only allow a couple of e-books to be borrowed for 21 days for each title makes no practical sense. Surely there must be other ways to address publishers' concerns over royalties.

[lapapillion]

ChiefKiasu:

It is a great idea... except that it is truly frustrating that even as an e-book, the system does NOT allow more than 2-5 copies to be borrowed out at any time!!! So now we are programming the virtual world to have all the limitations of the real world :siao:

Totally agree! It's almost like you have to buy and pay for a physical stamp for every email that you send out :scared: Maybe this is a new thing for them, so they are not sure how warm the response is regarding the ebooks , that's why they didn't purchase many rights for the lending of the books. If that's the case, it'll only improve over time

Maybe you can pull some strings to ask them to get more rights? Tell them all the parents will be thrilled to have more ebooks out for people to borrow, hee hee

[3Boys]

lapapillion:

Totally agree! It's almost like you have to buy and pay for a physical stamp for every email that you send out :scared: Maybe this is a new thing for them, so they are not sure how warm the response is regarding the ebooks , that's why they didn't purchase many rights for the lending of the books. If that's the case, it'll only improve over time

Maybe you can pull some strings to ask them to get more rights? Tell them all the parents will be thrilled to have more ebooks out for people to borrow, hee hee

Would people be willing to pay to loan? Say $2 for 3 weeks? I think this will help the library at least defray licensing costs.

[ChiefKiasu]

lapapillion:

Totally agree! It's almost like you have to buy and pay for a physical stamp for every email that you send out :scared: Maybe this is a new thing for them, so they are not sure how warm the response is regarding the ebooks , that's why they didn't purchase many rights for the lending of the books. If that's the case, it'll only improve over time


Maybe you can pull some strings to ask them to get more rights? Tell them all the parents will be thrilled to have more ebooks out for people to borrow, hee hee

The fact is, the library is going the way of Borders, 2nd hand book stores, etc. It is being killed by the Internet, smart phones and tablets. Within the next 10 years, it is probable that all school text and exercise books will be replaced by tablets and online services. The NLB knows this... it is still holding on to its brick and mortar libraries because that was what it was set up for... to transform itself into a new organisation relevant to the Internet age is not simply a matter of setting up a new department.

Imagine if the NLB exists entirely as a virtual organisation, where citizens browse and borrow books from the comfort of their own homes, in schools, on trains, or when they are having dinner. No need to set up and run libraries in buildings. No renovation and upkeep costs. No need for huge amounts of manpower for librarians to catalog and shelve books and manage borrowing and lending. Only need to set up and operate data centres and negotiate for e-books from publishers. That's a huge cost savings, especially in this land-starved country of ours. The only thing that is stopping this eventuality from happening today are mindsets and political will.