How to borrow ebooks from National libraries

[ChiefKiasu]

lapapillion:

Wow, I like that idea I really do! Though oldies like me would miss the crisp smell of fresh books and the ecstasy of running your fingers over the texture of printed paper...something that just cannot be reproduced on the most high resolution and brightest display screen.

Ah yes... one of my favorite moments as a boy is to own a new book (doesn't matter whether it is a novel or text book) and to hold it near my nose while I flip the pages rapidly with my thumb. Love the smell of new books (and dollar notes, for the matter ). But that is a luxury that the world can ill afford. We can't keep cutting trees to satiate our hunger for literature.

[Funz]

One thing that frustrates me about libraries is the availability or rather the lack of availability of popular titles. So when I found out they were lending out ebooks, I was pretty excited, I thought goody, no need to wait for the books to be returned. Who knows, there is still a long waiting list for most of the popular titles.


I’ll be one very sad person if the libraries go 100% electronic. I actually think differently. To be able to touch and feel and flip the pages of a book makes the reading experience much more enjoyable, especially for young or emerging readers. Even the process of picking the book forms part of that experience. To be among shelves and shelves of books, to browse through all these books to see what catches your eye, to be able to flip through the pages to see if the content is interesting, to finally settle on that few books and check them out, feeling the weight of the books, anticipating when you can find a quiet corner to lose yourself in those words.

I love the convenience that ebooks accord us but I must say, I will not revisit the ebook once I have read it. Love that they do not take up any physical space and are definitely more convenient to cart around. But somehow, personally, the enjoyment and immersion I get from reading ebooks is not the same as when I read a hardcopy.

That’s me lah. I think I have some romantic ideas about books. Think I might start collecting books. They might soon be valuable collector’s items.

[Chenonceau]

ChiefKiasu:

lapapillion:

Wow, I like that idea I really do! Though oldies like me would miss the crisp smell of fresh books and the ecstasy of running your fingers over the texture of printed paper...something that just cannot be reproduced on the most high resolution and brightest display screen.

Ah yes... one of my favorite moments as a boy is to own a new book (doesn't matter whether it is a novel or text book) and to hold it near my nose while I flip the pages rapidly with my thumb. Love the smell of new books (and dollar notes, for the matter ). But that is a luxury that the world can ill afford. We can't keep cutting trees to satiate our hunger for literature.

Oh yes! The smell of books and money. Hmmmmm...

[mamago]

(Wah liuuuuuu! Chief, you are the second guy that I knew whose loving the new notes smell… well, that’s what my DH said when we were dating during our first CNY; and he insisted I must smell it too! Haha…)

[lapapillion]

Funz:

I'll be one very sad person if the libraries go 100% electronic. I actually think differently. To be able to touch and feel and flip the pages of a book makes the reading experience much more enjoyable, especially for young or emerging readers. Even the process of picking the book forms part of that experience. To be among shelves and shelves of books, to browse through all these books to see what catches your eye, to be able to flip through the pages to see if the content is interesting, to finally settle on that few books and check them out, feeling the weight of the books, anticipating when you can find a quiet corner to lose yourself in those words.

I feel the same! But if NLB's aim is to attract the next generation of readers, who are born into the digital world of gadgets and the omnipresent internet, then plain ol' physical books just would not do. Between the temptations of multimedia websites, touch screen interactive books and read-out-to-me audiobooks, physical books (especially thick ones with small fonts), just do not have a sliver of chance to vie for the attention of the next generation

I like your romanticism about books...you must be an avid reader

[hquek]

Funz:

Think I might start collecting books. They might soon be valuable collector's items.

Am collecting medal winners and books I consider good. Ya know some of those out of prints are really really expensive. Some got money also cannot buy.

[Lilac66]

Funz:

I'll be one very sad person if the libraries go 100% electronic. I actually think differently. To be able to touch and feel and flip the pages of a book makes the reading experience much more enjoyable, especially for young or emerging readers. Even the process of picking the book forms part of that experience.

my sentiments too! When I browse through books on the library shelves and hit upon a familiar old classic ,it just stirs up fond memories of yesteryear... you can't capture the same feelings with e-books. Really dread the day when all the hard-copy books are replaced by the electronic ones.

But my DH is so cool about this , celebrates every advancement in technology. Guess he will never agree with that saying

\"Life was much easier when apple and blackberry were just fruits.\"

My DS also prefers hard copy books (rather unusual for a boy) as he can \" have the pleasure of flipping physical pages..\".

[Funz]

lapapillion:

Funz:

I'll be one very sad person if the libraries go 100% electronic. I actually think differently. To be able to touch and feel and flip the pages of a book makes the reading experience much more enjoyable, especially for young or emerging readers. Even the process of picking the book forms part of that experience. To be among shelves and shelves of books, to browse through all these books to see what catches your eye, to be able to flip through the pages to see if the content is interesting, to finally settle on that few books and check them out, feeling the weight of the books, anticipating when you can find a quiet corner to lose yourself in those words.

I feel the same! But if NLB's aim is to attract the next generation of readers, who are born into the digital world of gadgets and the omnipresent internet, then plain ol' physical books just would not do. Between the temptations of multimedia websites, touch screen interactive books and read-out-to-me audiobooks, physical books (especially thick ones with small fonts), just do not have a sliver of chance to vie for the attention of the next generation

I like your romanticism about books...you must be an avid reader

Yes, I do read a fair bit. I used to go through a few books a week, rather expensive habit. First I buy but I ran out of space so I started renting and borrowing. Then I got the kindle when it first came out and started buying ebooks. Then I started reading on my ipad which allows me to read in the dark, really bad for my eyes though. But gradually, I stopped reading that much. Not sure why but I find myself unable to sustain my attention the way I am able to with an actual book. Lately, I started reading again, not ebooks but actual hardcopy books. DH could not stop laughing at how satisfied I looked when I left the bookstore with the books, and yes, I was smelling them like I was glue sniffing.

DD has picked up my habit. She is reading a fair bit as well and prefers actual books to ebooks. Good thing is, now that she is older, I can pass the books that I read to her as well.

[lapapillion]

Hahah, we're all 'glue sniffers' when it comes to books Ancient books have this odd smell too that I like, not just the new books


I read faster on physical books, but I think I'm okay with ebooks as well. My yearly target of books to read is 52, meaning one every week. Been doing that for like 2 yrs. THIS year is a bit different - It's mid Oct and I'm still on book 25...another 25 odd more to go

[verykiasumummy]

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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thks so much... i presume borrowing an ebook doesnt attract the overdue fines at all right? i used to forget about the return dates and incurred $12 overdue charges once... since then i didnt really borrowed any...