Wirral libraries' ebook service - quick review

Has anybody tried this?

I tried it out last night and I found it a little complicated at first. It's a mixed bag, there are some positives to it as well as some negatives.

Positive:

Audiobooks now available for free borrowing
Free rental service that can be accessed through PC, 'iProduct' and Android.
Easy access to Gutenberg project books
No late fees as books automatically return to library
Can return books early
Unlimited rentals (4 at a time)

Negative:

Not a great choice of books
Can only 'e-borrow' a book if nobody else has borrowed it, similar to the physical library. (If no one has borrowed it, you can 'add to basket', if somebody else does have it, you can only 'add to reservations')
No obvious way of showing books available to borrow (a category called 'lost in the stacks' seems to show this)
Slow website to navigate and only shows 10 books per page [can only be changed in advanced search]
Poor category listing (there's no 'sport' for example)
Not compatible with Kindles (only those in USA for some reason)

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The digital download contains a DRM which expires the file after your rental time has ended.

Information on Council's website: http://www.wirral.gov.uk/my-services/leisure-and-culture/libraries/ebooks

This is the catalogue of books:

http://wirral.lib.overdrive.com/18425C08-5CF6-421A-91D9-1F5448ABBB60/10/903/en/Default.htm

Apps for your mobile device/tablet can be downloaded here:

http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc/default.aspx
Android Market app - https://market.android.com/details?id=com.overdrive.mobile.android.mediaconsole

Originally Posted by BlueLou

Can only 'e-borrow' a book if nobody else has borrowed it, similar to the physical library. (If no one has borrowed it, you can 'add to basket', if somebody else does have it, you can only 'add to reservations')

That's completely retarded.

Originally Posted by ex0__

Originally Posted by BlueLou

Can only 'e-borrow' a book if nobody else has borrowed it, similar to the physical library. (If no one has borrowed it, you can 'add to basket', if somebody else does have it, you can only 'add to reservations')

That's completely retarded.

Maybe it's because they only have a license/the funding to lend one book at a time??

Thanks for taking the time to review it BlueLou, I didn't even know they offered such a service!

Originally Posted by MattLFC

Maybe it's because they only have a license/the funding to lend one book at a time??

Then my comment applies to the entire distribution/licensing/funding structure.

Originally Posted by MattLFC

Thanks for taking the time to review it BlueLou, I didn't even know they offered such a service!

That's why I reviewed it

I agree, it seems pointless to have 1 copy available online but whoever negotiated the contract for Wirral Council was happy with it.

Being the big kid I am, I've just rented an audiobook from Horrible Histories

I've tried it and then discovered about the US Kindles only. Not impressed. I wanted to read one book in particular but if I want to read it from the library, I have to take the laptop to bed with me. The whole point was that it would go on my Kindle so I could read it in bed

I'll stick to hard copies from the library in future.

Wench, if the copyright has lapsed you might find it on openlibrary.org?

It's a recent book Pob - The Junior Officers' Reading Club: Killing Time and Fighting Wars by Patrick Hennessey. The others were the Ed Macy books but can't read them on the Kindle either

have u tried converting the files to simple txt files so you can put them onto the kindle instead , you will lose some formatting but there still readable

Hi Wench
There is a free program called 'Calibre' that you can use to convert Ebook files. You can Google it & download or send me a PM with your email & I'll send it to you.

ive been using a program called autokindle ebook converter

http://autokindle.sourceforge.net/

Tried all that but because they're from the library, they won't work on a UK Kindle

I've already got Calibre - it's fab!

i had a few problems copying some new release books i got off someone elses kindle collection

somehow when you "borrow" the files they come in with some sort of protection so i was only able to read the first chapters

a mate of mine did something to them on the pc and hey presto ...all sorted

I shall find out what he did to them and let you know...i think he just removed a file that comes in with the book

I came across this site earlier today:

https://www.wfhowes.co.uk/sign-in

There are a few free magazine subscriptions and Wirral is listed in the pull down menu.

The other thread reminded me about this.

Amazon UK now have the Overdrive app which lets you read the e-books on Kindle.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/OverDrive-Media-Console-Library-Audiobooks/dp/B00850NK6I

Thanks for the update which will be handy for others on the forum..My mobile phone and computer are of the cave dweller ilk. I did activate my Liverpool Library card in person and borrowed some books.Several library staff said although non-resident I could access e books as I was a library member. Conflicting info from staff so have left it for now.I think as Liverpool Council Tax payers pay for the E book service, non residents are discouraged to avail themselves of it