Never pay for another ebook with these free, and legit, ways to download free books.
If you are an insatiable reader and you want as many ebook as you can get for free, look no further than the library. Recently, the New York Public Library put 300,000 books on an app called SimplyE. The app is available for Android and iOS, but is only available to those with a NYPL library card.
Don’t live in New York? No worries.
Other libraries are offering ebook apps
The NYPL isn’t the only library jumping on the app train, though. The San Diego Public Library, the Brooklyn Public Library and other metropolitan areas also have apps. All you need to check out books with these apps is the barcode number from your library card and your PIN number.
To find your city’s app, type in the name of your city’s library into the search in your app store.
Some of these apps offer more than just free ebooks through your library, too. You can also get access to movies and audio books, see which real books you have checked out and more.
Help for small towners
The big problem with these apps is if you don’t live in big city, your library probably doesn’t have an app. There are apps, though, connect to your local library so you can download ebooks. For example, when you sign up with Hoopla, it will search for your local library and connect to your library’s ebook, movie and audio book collection using your library card number. 3M Cloud Library works on the same concept.
Last ditch effort for free ebooks
If your town doesn’t have an app, and those like Hoopla and 3M Cloud Library can’t find your library, don’t give up hope. Many small-town libraries offer access to ebooks through special websites. The best way to find out about these sites is by contacting your library.
Source: cnet.com
Do they artificially limit how many of each book can be checked out to mimic physical books at a physical library?
Our public library uses the overdrive app mentioned in the linked article.
Do they artificially limit how many of each book can be checked out to mimic physical books at a physical library?
@CNET username If they have limits on physical media they will undoubtedly have limits on electronic media.
Yes. Overdrive, for example, lists total copies and total available. If there are none for check out, you can place a hold for the next available copy. When it becomes available, you’ll be notified by email.
@AndroidDrew Not what “username” was asking. Example — I can have ten physical items out of my public library system at one time and have to return at least one to borrow another. I think “username” wanted to know if the electronic catalogs limited you to the number of e-items you can have checked out at one time. Answer is yes.
@cosmic52 @AndroidDrew I was asking ‘how many of each book’ however ‘how many books per customer at one time’ is something to think about. Actually since they are ebooks one at a time makes sense, I mean you can instantly return and instantly check out, so why would you need more than one book at at time? Unless you have say multiple family members on the same account reading at the same time.
Our public library uses the overdrive app mentioned in the linked article.
@dabs1 I used Overdrive for years and was very happy with it. Suddenly it stopped transferring books to my device. My library was not able to help and I can’t find any way to help on Overdrive Website. Shame it no longer works, but because of poor service service I can’t recommend it any longer.
@Ziggyfrood @dabs1 I had a similar issue and the problem was with my library. They deleted and reinstated my account and everything worked. Borrowing at my local library was never impacted and they couldn’t explain what had caused the problem, but it works again.
@dabs1 I’ve been using OverDrive for over two years. No problems with eBooks. I also get a lot of audiobooks through OverDrive, and have tried movies.