Hannah emailed in the following tip:
Many people don’t realize that most public libraries have eBooks available for checkout through their websites. All you have to do is log into your local library’s site using your library card, then follow the links for eBooks (often, there are also digital audio books available).
In just a couple of minutes, you should be able to search through the available titles, download your selection, and begin reading on your device! No late fees for failing to “bring the book back,” because it will simply expire after 2-3 weeks. This is a great, free way to read some of the newest and most popular books without paying a cent — or leaving your home! -Hannah
Toni says
I love this! I started reading more now that I have my kindle and always check the elibrary before seeing if they have the actual book in the library. I seem to finish books much quicker when I borrow digitally.
KimH says
I live in one of the Cleveland Oh suburbs and our library system is part of a huge consortium of more than 130 libraries. All I have to do is go online and do a search and place a hold on anything I want.. It’ll come to my library if its a book, cd, dvd or other and if its an ebook, it’ll route me to the proper location to check it out.. Its the most awesome system I’ve ever experienced. I dont remember now how I found out about it but ask around.. Your library system may have something similar..
Pam@behealthybehappywellness says
I love getting books for my Kindle from the library – just before a trip I’ll load it up – so much better than the old days of bringing a separate bag just for books!
Nichole D. says
As a former Librarian (worked in public library) many states and communities are finding it hard to keep up with demand because of the cost of the digital license. It doesn’t last forever and you might get 20-25 uses per license. Here in WI I believe the whole state shares the same ebook catalog and that equals long waiting lists.
Another thing to look into is if your library has something called Freegal music (here in WI you can download 3 songs a week with your library card). I download songs to my computer and then my MP3 player. Freegal gives you access to millions of songs from over 10,000 labels including the Sony Music catalog. Check with your local Librarian to find out if your library has it or I believe the site for more information is http://www.freegalmusic.com
Lynne says
Also, Overdrive media has an app you can download to the Nook (and probably other devices). With this app, using your library card information, you can download books directly to your device. Best “find” of the year, for me!
Nichole D. says
Overdrive is awesome! I believe that there is a waiting list feature also? Best free find that there is!! 🙂
Kristin says
Crystal,
I recently looked at the ebooks available at my library and your book has one of the longest waiting lists! I’m happy to see that it’s been such a hit!
Crystal says
Oh fun! Thanks so much for letting me know!
Julie says
I love doing this! I read a lot so this saves me quite a bit. Also, our library has freegal which allows you to download three free songs per week. You get to keep the songs just like if you paid for them on iTunes or Amazon. They don’t have all the artists, but I have been able to add quite a few songs to our iTunes library.
Nichole D. says
I didn’t see this comment before posting my own about freegal. As a former Librarian I’m glad to hear that your using this great free service that your library has to offer. I’ve been downloading three songs a week to add to my MP3 player for work out music at the gym. 🙂
Sara T says
And no late fees! I love it!
susan t. says
For most libraries in California, you can get a card at any library in the state .The state has been subsidizing this feature for years but recently was supposed to have cut the funds for getting cards at other libraries outside your city but the libraries in my area so let you get a card. Los Angeles County and Los Angeles city libraries have a lot of Kindle books. You just need to get a card and an online password in person one time and then you are set with many Kindle books to choose from. Hope this helps!
Erin says
I was really excited about this tip, but very disappointed to find our library has an extremely limited number of ebooks available 🙁
Ashley P says
Found out my library has them too! Guess it’s time to renew my card. I haven’t used it in YEARS!
michelle says
This is the only way I get books from our library any more! I always bring the kids with me to the library and with a toddler and a 5 year old I don’t get a chance to browse while I am there. This gives me a chance to browse for what I want and I have read some good books I never would have picked because they were free from the library.
Patty says
I just discovered this service at our library, and is it awesome! My kiddo is a reluctant reader, so getting to read on Mom’s Kindle is a treat that makes reading more interesting and attractive for her.
Katie says
At our library, you can check out the Kindle, too!
Donna says
Great tip! Our library has a link on their home page for this- love it!
FMR says
If you live anywhere in New York State, you can apply online for a library card from the New York City Public Library. When my local library district does not have the ebook or audio book I want, the NYC library often does.
Angela says
You can also have library accounts with multiple counties. We live on the border of three and all you need is a valid driver’s license. I have access to all 3 digital libraries. There is a lot of similar listings but there are also a lot of differences.
Katie says
This is not true in all states; where I live, I have to pay a non-resident fee of $75 / year to belong to the library in the next town over. As a home schooler, it is WELL worth the $75.
Ashley P says
While I doubt they do it for eBooks, as a former librarian assistant, I can tell you that libraries will often accomodate what we used to cal ILLs, or Inter-library Loans. If the libraries are close enough geographically, you can request the book at your library and they can request it from another library.
This is especially true for college libraries. While the library I worked at was indeed a college library, we allowed the general public to utilize it for a small fee (I don’t even remember how much it was anymore it was so long ago.) and we’d get ILL requests all the time.