EBook Lending Libraries

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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.

Contents

[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

  • 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.
  • North Ridge Public Library -- Free. Works with your fictionwise account. Mobipocket books available. Limited selection, but better than the selection at the Fictionwise library. Maximum 10 books at a time, maximum 14 days each.
  • Skoobe.biz eBook Library -- The cost to subscribe to this service is normally £50/year. However, for a limited period, they are offering membership for ONLY $10 (£6.50 approx.). Works with your fictionwise account. Mobipocket books available. Limited selection. Maximum 3 books at a time, maximum 16 days each.

[edit] Limited Access

Many of the digital library collections listed below are hosted by Overdrive. To find a digital library that is not listed below search here.

[edit] USA

Note that some of the libraries listed below have non-resident library cards available for sale. These include the Washington, DC, Hawaii State, and the New Orleans Library.

[edit] Arizona State

  • Greater Phoenix Digital Library -- Over 15,929 titles available in Adobe Digital Editions or Mobipocket format. There are 10 participating libraries. If you do not live in the Phoenix area, you can apply for a library card in person at the Phoenix library, for example, for $20/year. Free for Maricopa County residents, City of Apache Junction, and City of Casa Grande residents.

[edit] California State

  • Los Angeles City -- eBooks available from Netlibrary.com with your library card and audio books and ebooks available from Overdrive. eBook and Audio book link Library card available to residents of California; apply in person at any branch library; California ID required.
  • Sacramento -- Available to residents of the state of California. Apply in person at any branch library.
  • San Francisco Public Library -- Direct link to the San Francisco Public Library's digital archive, available to all residents of the state of California. Apply in person at any branch library.
  • San Jose -- Available to residents of the state of California. Apply in person at any branch library.
  • Northern California Digital Library OverDrive ebook and audiobook downloads. Supports the following physical libraries: Alameda County Library, Alameda Free Library, Contra Costa County Library, Harrison Memorial Library, Hayward Public Library, Los Gatos Public Library, MARINet, Monterey Public Library, Mountain View Public Library, Pacific Grove Public Library, Palo Alto City Library, Peninsula Library System, City of Pleasanton Library, Santa Clara City Library, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Sunnyvale Public Library.
  • Southern California Digital Library Online audiobook and eBook downloads from OverDrive for cardholders of the following Southern California city libraries: Ontario, Downey, El Segundo, Glendora, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Rancho Cucamonga, Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, and Upland.

[edit] Colorado State

[edit] District of Columbia

  • Washington, D.C. -- Available to residents of the District of Columbia. Nonresidents can apply on-line for a temporary library card for an unstated nonresident fee. Temporary card expires in 30 days, unless permanent card is picked up at a DC branch library.

[edit] Florida State

  • Download Depot -- Available to Lee County, FL residents. Also available to residents of participating SWFLN reciprocal borrowing libraries in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee and Monroe Counties. Participating libraries include:
    • Ave Maria University
    • Charlotte County Library System
    • Collier County Public Library
    • DeSoto County Library
    • Edison State College
    • Florida Gulf Coast University Library
    • Florida Keys Community College
    • Fort Myers Beach Public Library
    • Glades County Public Libary
    • Hardee County Public Library
    • Hendry County Library Cooperative
    • Highlands County Library System
    • Hodges University Library
    • Lee County Library System
    • Okeechobee County Public Library
    • Rasmussen College Library
    • Sanibel Public Library
    • Southwest Florida College Library
    • St. Johns County Public Library System

[edit] Hawaii State

  • Hawaii -- Available to residents of the state of Hawaii. Nonresidents can apply by mail for $25 for five years or free with military identifcation. Must appear in person to receive library card.

[edit] Illinois State

    • Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library District
    • Antioch Public Library
    • Arlington Heights Memorial Library
    • Aurora Public Library
    • Barrington Public Library District - serves residents of all or part of:
      • Algonquin
      • Barrington
      • Barrington Hills
      • Deer Park
      • Fox River Grove
      • Hoffman Estates
      • Kildeer
      • Lake Barrington
      • Lake Zurich
      • North Barrington
      • Palatine
      • Port Barrington
      • South Barrington
      • Tower Lakes
      • some unincorporated areas
    • Benton Public Library
    • Bloomingdale Public Library
    • Bloomington Public Library
    • Bradley Public Library District
    • Brookfield Public Library
    • Cary Area Public Library District
    • Cherry Valley Public Library District
    • Cook Memorial Public Library District
    • Crete Public Library District
    • Des Plaines Public Library
    • Booth Library - Eastern Illinois University
    • Elk Grove Village Public Library
    • Elmhurst Public Library
    • Evanston Public Library
    • Flossmoor Public Library
    • Fox Lake District Library
    • Fox River Grove Memorial Library
    • Fremont Public Library District
    • Gail Borden Public Library District
    • Glenside Public Library District
    • Glenview Public Library
    • Grayslake Area Public Library District - serves residents of all or part of:
      • Avon Township
      • Grayslake
      • Hainesville
      • Highland Lake
      • Round Lake
      • Round Lake Beach
      • Round Lake Park
      • Third Lake
    • Highland Park Public Library
    • Huntley Area Public Library District
    • Itasca Community Library
    • CLC Libraries and Instructional Services - College of Lake County
    • Lake Forest Library
    • Lincoln Trail Libraries System
    • Lincolnwood Public Library
    • Morton Grove Public Library
    • Mount Prospect Public Library
    • Niles Public Library District
    • Northbrook Public Library
    • Palatine Public Library District
    • Plainfield Public Library District
    • Prairie Trails Public Library
    • Riverside Public Library
    • Rockford Public Library
    • Rolling Meadows Library
    • Schaumburg Township District Library
    • Vernon Area Public Library District
    • Villa Park Public Library
    • Warren-Newport Public Library
    • Wauconda Area Library
    • West Chicago Public Library District
    • Westchester Public Library
    • Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District
    • Wood Dale Public Library
    • Woodstock Public Library
    • Zion-Benton Public Library
  • North Suburban Digital Consortium -- available to cardholders at the following libraries:
    • Algonquin Area Public Library District
    • Crystal Lake Public Library
    • Dundee Township Public Library District
    • Ela Area Public Library District
    • Indian Trails Public Library District
    • McHenry Public Library District
    • Park Ridge Public Library
    • Skokie Public Library

[edit] Indiana State

[edit] Louisiana State

  • New Orleans -- Available to residents of the metro area of New Orleans. Nonresidents can apply by mail for $50 per year.

[edit] Maryland State

    • Anne Arundel County Public Library
    • Baltimore County Public Library
    • Carroll County Public Library
    • Caroline County Public Library
    • Cecil County Public Library
    • Enoch Pratt Free Library (Baltimore City)
    • Frederick County Public Libraries
    • Harford County Public Library
    • Howard County Library
    • Kent County Public Library
    • Lower Shore Library Consortium
      • Dorchester County Public Library
      • Somerset County Library
      • Wicomico Public Library
      • Worcester County Library
    • Montgomery County Public Libraries
    • Queen Anne's County Free Library
    • Southern Maryland Regional Library Association
      • Calvert Library
      • Charles County Public Library
      • St. Marys County Library
    • Talbot County Free Library
    • Western Maryland Regional Library
      • Allegany County Library System
      • The Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County
      • Washington County Free Library

[edit] Massachusetts State

[edit] Michigan State

  • Michigan Library Consortium -- There are many participating libraries in the state. For example, it is available to residents of the Dearborn area where nonresidents can apply in person for $80 per year. It is available to residents of the Kalamazoo area where nonresidents can apply in person for $185 per year. It is available to residents of the Grosse Point area where nonresidents can apply in person for $100 per year.

[edit] Minnesota State

  • Rochester -- Available to residents of the state of Minnesota. Nonresidents can apply in person for $10 for two months. All library card applications must be made in person at the library and the applicant must have a photo i.d. with a current address.

[edit] Mississippi State

[edit] Nebraska State

  • Omaha -- Available to residents of Douglas County. Nonresidents can apply by mail for $60 per year.

[edit] Nevada State

  • Las Vegas - Clark County -- Available to residents of the state of Nevada. Guest card for non-residents; expires in three months but is renewable. Apply in person with current ID showing permanent address.

[edit] New Jersey State

[edit] New Mexico State

[edit] New York State

  • New York -- Available to residents of the state of New York. Nonresidents can no longer apply for a fee-based card (policy changed as of June 2009 per NYPL). Over 10,634 ebooks in PDF format and over 4641 in Mobipocket format.
  • White Plains -- Available to residents of the state of New York. Nonresidents can apply in person for $75.

[edit] Ohio State

  • CLEVNET -- Available to residents of the state of Ohio. Over 9169 ebooks in PDF, Mobipocket or EPUB format ; readers at both Cleveland Public Library and CLEVNET member libraries (Cleveland, Barberton, Bellevue, Birchard, Burton, Cleveland Heights-University Heights, Clyde, East Cleveland, Elyria, Euclid, Fairport, Hudson, Huron, Kirtland, Lorain, Madison, Medina County, Milan-Berlin, Orrville, Peninsula, Perry, Ritter, Sandusky, Shaker Heights, Twinsburg, Wayne County, Wickliffe, Willoughby-Eastlake) can check out and download EPUB eBooks from the library's download website. See this thread for details.
  • Clermont County -- Available to residents of Clermont County. Applications from nonresidents are accepted in person for free.

[edit] Texas State

[edit] Virginia State

  • Arlington County -- Available to residents, students, and workers in Arlington as well as residents of reciprocal library jurisdictions.
    • District of Columbia
    • Virginia
      • City of Alexandria
      • City of Falls Church
      • Fairfax County
      • Fauquier County
      • Loudoun County
    • Maryland
      • Frederick County
      • Montgomery County
      • Prince George's County
  • Fairfax County -- Available to residents of Fairfax County, as well as residents of reciprocal library jurisdictions. Nonresidents can apply by mail for $27 per year.
  • Loudoun County includes Overdrive, Netlibrary, and Safari IT books -- Available to residents, students, and workers of Loudoun County, as well as residents of reciprocal jurisdictions including not only the D.C. Metropolitan area but also Clark and Frederick Counties of Virginia, the Thomas Balch library in Leesburg, Virginia, and Charles County of Maryland.

[edit] Washington State

[edit] Outside of the USA

[edit] Canada

Toronto Public Library

Halifax Public Library

British Columbia’s “Library to Go”

Ottawa Public Library

Montreal Public Library, "BANQ" - Both English and French pages are available.

Hamilton Public Library

[edit] England

Essex County Council, Luton Libraries in Bedfordshire and reported to be available in Cheshire as well.

Now rolled out in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead via the Overdrive system as per Essex and Luton.

[edit] Finland

Helmet Web Library, Vaski Web Library.

[edit] Germany

Onleihe.net

[edit] Ireland

South Dublin Libraries

[edit] the Netherlands

[edit] Sweden

Libraries in Sweden List of libraries which offer e-books. (Sorted by Län)

[edit] Spain

Biblioteca Rector Gabriel Ferraté - from the UPC - Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. This library makes eBooks borrowing.

[edit] Ecuador

Centro de Información Bibliotecario - The ESPOL Library and Information Center (limited data in English). There is a Virtual Library - Biblioteca Virtual.

[edit] Singapore

http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/browse.aspx?browse_by=Type&filter1=11] - The National Library Board Singapore

[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.

  • Overdrive Search has a list of libraries by country that are using the Overdrive software.

[edit] Library DRM and Devices

To date Libraries are using DRM in one of three formats, PDF, ePUB, or MOBI (some mobi files use a .PRC extension.) This limits the devices that are able to take advantage of the library offerings. The recently added ePUB in some libraries also use Adobe protection so the choices are similar but a subset of the PDF choices. Devices known to work include:

[edit] Additional information

Also see this thread: Where are there ebook libraries??

Also see this thread: Digital Editions and the public library

Libraries may also support audio books or even music formats in WMA that support time limited checkout. Generally this will require a copy of Windows Media player on a PC to support DRM.

100 university libraries you can access from the Internet

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