4 ms·

I didn't know libraries lent ebooks. Seems kind of strange.

by tus88 7y ago

Freak_NL 7y ago
Why? Some readers want e-books, so not facilitating them means losing readers.
- tus88 7y ago
  Well I imagine people go to libraries as it's the only way to get physical copies of what they have. Ebooks are obviously more conveniently download from the internet. Or is this ebook a physical device not a download?
  - jhbadger 7y ago
    You use the Internet to check out a book from the library onto your e-reader, from home, allowing you to read it for free totally legally. The other ways of getting an ebook are generally only one of those last two.
bovermyer 7y ago
Time-limited access to e-books isn't that strange, considering we do similar things with movies (e.g., renting a new release on Google Play).
reaperducer 7y ago
Some (many?) libraries lend out WiFi hot spots so people can have free internet at home. When I lived in New Jersey, the library lent out power tools. The Chicago Public library lends out museum passes. Libraries are about knowledge, not books.
- ForHackernews 7y ago
  The Chicago Public Library also lends small toy robots for teaching children about programming: https://www.chipublib.org/news/finch-robots-land-at-cpl/ https://www.chipublib.org/news/finch-robots-land-at-cpl/
moate 7y ago
Sounds like you could use a refresher on all the free and worthwhile services provided by modern libraries. Where I'm at in NJ, the local libraries offer books, e-books, cds, dvds, career services, access to legal assistance, community meeting spaces, crafting programs, and will even lend you tickets to several great museums. And that's just the start. Libraries are dope.
LargeWu 7y ago
It's actually pretty awesome. Combines the benefits of library lending with convenience of an e-reader. Check out the Libby app.
Kihashi 7y ago
It's actually really great! I check out a book, click "send to kindle" and about 30 seconds later, it's on my kindle to read. 2-3 weeks later, it's automatically "returned" to the library and removed from my kindle. Most libraries in the US use OverDrive for their eBook collections and lending. https://www.overdrive.com/ https://www.overdrive.com/
magashna 7y ago
Libraries offer movies, video games, some even have a "library of things". A library near me offers go-pros, knitting needles, telescopes, a whole bunch of odd things.

I didn't know libraries lent ebooks. Seems kind of strange.

by tus88 7y ago

I didn't know libraries lent ebooks. Seems kind of strange.

Freak_NL 7y ago

Why? Some readers want e-books, so not facilitating them means losing readers.

tus88 7y ago
Well I imagine people go to libraries as it's the only way to get physical copies of what they have. Ebooks are obviously more conveniently download from the internet. Or is this ebook a physical device not a download?
- jhbadger 7y ago
  You use the Internet to check out a book from the library onto your e-reader, from home, allowing you to read it for free totally legally. The other ways of getting an ebook are generally only one of those last two.

bovermyer 7y ago

Time-limited access to e-books isn't that strange, considering we do similar things with movies (e.g., renting a new release on Google Play).

reaperducer 7y ago

Some (many?) libraries lend out WiFi hot spots so people can have free internet at home. When I lived in New Jersey, the library lent out power tools. The Chicago Public library lends out museum passes. Libraries are about knowledge, not books.

ForHackernews 7y ago
The Chicago Public Library also lends small toy robots for teaching children about programming: https://www.chipublib.org/news/finch-robots-land-at-cpl/ https://www.chipublib.org/news/finch-robots-land-at-cpl/

moate 7y ago

Sounds like you could use a refresher on all the free and worthwhile services provided by modern libraries. Where I'm at in NJ, the local libraries offer books, e-books, cds, dvds, career services, access to legal assistance, community meeting spaces, crafting programs, and will even lend you tickets to several great museums. And that's just the start. Libraries are dope.

LargeWu 7y ago

It's actually pretty awesome. Combines the benefits of library lending with convenience of an e-reader. Check out the Libby app.

Kihashi 7y ago

It's actually really great! I check out a book, click "send to kindle" and about 30 seconds later, it's on my kindle to read. 2-3 weeks later, it's automatically "returned" to the library and removed from my kindle. Most libraries in the US use OverDrive for their eBook collections and lending. https://www.overdrive.com/ https://www.overdrive.com/

magashna 7y ago

Libraries offer movies, video games, some even have a "library of things". A library near me offers go-pros, knitting needles, telescopes, a whole bunch of odd things.