EBook Lending Libraries

From MobileRead

This page lists places where you can borrow modern and classic time-limited ebooks for free, or for a yearly fee. Be sure to check your local library's website too: if they have ebooks available, they may be your best source. You may also be interested in E-book stores, where you can purchase books and find some for free; and our page about Free eBooks.

1 Overview
2 Widely Accessible Libraries
3 Limited Access
4 Finding Libraries
5 Links

[edit] Overview

Many Public libraries and University libraries have a web presence but require a locally obtained library card or student id to use the web facilities to actually check out books. This reason is that the eBooks are purchased using local tax dollars. In some cases you can just download an eBook and keep it but most of the time you have to actually check it out. Many of the libraries use a DRM system with time limited licenses so you do not need to return the book to the library. Instead, it will just time out unless you check it out again. They generally own a limited number of licenses per book and manage them exactly like a real book. Once the number of licenses have been used by customers they won't let you check out a copy until someone else's license expires or is returned. The big advantage is that you can use your PDA or eBook Reader to read the book and after you have a library card you can do everything from your computer at home or anywhere that can access the Internet.

There are also internet ebook libraries. Because they need money to purchase new books and build their collections, some charge a yearly fee for access. Most allow anyone to browse the collection, so be sure to see if they have books you will want to read before paying a fee. No doubt this will be a growing field in the years to come. Please add to this page if you know of a widely accessible ebook lending library, or if you prefer, add to the thread linked at the bottom of this page.

[edit] Widely Accessible Libraries

Australian ebook Library -- $11.59(US)/year allows you 3 books at a time. Limited use available for free. Works with your fictionwise account. Mobipocket books available.

Fictionwise Lending Library -- Available only to Fictionwise Buywise Club members. Currently (4-08-08) very limited selection. Buywise Club membership is about $30/year but comes with other benefits. Mobipocket books available.

KnowBetter Lending Library -- Limited selection but better than Fictionwise and apparently dedicated to growing. $19.95/year gets you 3 books at a time, access to modern books, and up to 21 days per book. Limited use available for free. Works with your fictionwise account. Mobipocket books available.

Loqui SF Ebook Library -- Free. Allows you 2 books at a time, up to 7 days each. Works with your fictionwise account. Mobipocket books available. Specializes in Science Fiction Genre.

New Orleans Public Library - You can get a non-resident library card for $50/year. Adobe PDF, currently (4-10-08) less than 100 titles avaialble.

New York Public Library -- You can purchase a non-resident card for $100. Nice selection, over 4000 mobipocket books available. Mobipocket and Adobe PDF books available.

North Ridge Public Library -- Free. Works with your fictionwise account. Mobipocket books available. Limited selection, but better than the selection at the Fictionwise library. Maximun 10 books at a time, maximum 14 days each.

World Public Library -- Membership required. 500,000 PDF eBooks and eDocuments.

[edit] Limited Access

Arizona State

Greater Phoenix Digital Library -- If you live in Arizona State, you can Register for a card for $20/year. Free for Maricopa County residents, City of Apache Junction, and City of Casa Grande residents. Over 40,000 titles available in Adobe Reader, Mobipocket, WMA, MP4, and MP3(coming in May 2008) Maximum 10 books at a time, maximum 21 days per book.

Ohio State

Clevnet -- Free library cards are issued by the Cleveland Public Library to permanent residents of the State of Ohio. How to apply. Mobipocket and Adobe PDF files available. Over 4,300 mobipocket books available.

Washington State

Seattle Public Libarary -- If you live in Washington State, you can purchase a non-resident library card for $55/year. Nice selection including Mobipocket and Adobe PDF. Over 1800 Mobipocket books available. Maximum 20 books at a time, maximum 21 days per book.

[edit] Finding Libraries

The software to support Libraries is only available from a few sources. Some of them provide a list of customers which can be useful in determining if your library supports eBooks.