Aussie Readers discussion

Okay so I'll keep it short, but I bought a Kindle Fire basically so I could take advantage of the ebooks from my library, only there's a few issues I've found.

1st - no access with no internet, you have to have wifi on to read the book, which means I can't read it at the bus stop :(

2nd - no dictionary, which is one the main advantages of using an ereader.

3rd - you need 2 different apps to "Borrow" a book, but can only d/l by rooting your kindle?

Basically feel's like its only set up for mobile phone use - not an actual ereader :(

Mikana wrote: "Okay so I'll keep it short, but I bought a Kindle Fire basically so I could take advantage of the ebooks from my library, only there's a few issues I've found.

1st - no access with no internet, yo..."

What, are you serious?? I just bought one, too. I am reading my first book on it now, but haven't taken it out of my home yet. Excuse the language, but that's such bullshit!!!

I will have to test this out now.

Have you tried downloading to the device and not the cloud?

Yes, I tried to read an ebook from the library and it proved to be an issue. I could only get it to work on my computer. Not great.

I haven't tried Amazon service, I've only been successful at d/l one of the apps so far, still trying for borrow box. My kindle has a dictionary (just to point out) but it doesn't work on the Axis360 app - which is seriously disappointing.

Maybe you should chat with the library - take your device in with you. You may find there is a step you've missed. Solution may be as easy as that.

I had trouble with borrow box too but found i could do without it. I have a Samsung tablet with no wifi and I'm ok. But i agree Sally - go to the library. Library star are wonderful. My big disappointment was how limited the stock was. I wondered whether we could donate e books? If i have to buy them anyway?

A couple of years ago I was looking at e-readers just out of curiosity and I'm pretty sure I remember library staff saying that you couldn't borrow ebooks using a Kindle - something to do with the copyright, I think. It seemed crazy to me at the time, so maybe something has changed by now. Or maybe not! I use Overdrive on my iPad and it works well, but I have a feeling it's not supported on the Kindle... I think it works with Kobo and Nook etc.

So maybe you can download Overdrive on a Kindle, but it still doesn't look like the file format used is supported - and it is about copyright. I just checked the ebook FAQ section of my library website and found the following:

"I have an Amazon Kindle. Which provider do I use to borrow eBooks?
Unfortunately, the Kindle is not currently compatible with OverDrive eBooks in Australia. Try mp3 audiobooks from our eLibrary on your Kindle instead or search the internet for other free eBook sites.

Why isn't the Kindle compatible with OverDrive eBooks in Australia?
The Kindle eBook format (.azw) is a special proprietary format unique to the Kindle. OverDrive uses Adobe EPUB eBooks that support the Digital Rights Management protection that their publishers require. Although EPUB is an industry standard eBook format, the Kindle does not currently support it in our region."

For more FAQs, this is the link to my libraries page: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/sub...
Most questions aren't specific to a particular library so would be applicable whichever library yuo use.

Yes my library tells me the same as Kathryn. I cant borrow ebooks on my Kindle, all other types of readers/tablets etc are fine just not Kindles

I have also been told from my library that kindle is not compatible...

Just to add some confusion. I checked my library website and found a new announcement under Overdrive which stated ebooks were now able to be downloaded to the kindle fire. I'm with Brisbane city council library, I don't have a kindle fire, so I can't confirm it.

Kerri wrote: "Just to add some confusion. I checked my library website and found a new announcement under Overdrive which stated ebooks were now able to be downloaded to the kindle fire. I'm with Brisbane city c..."

I just checked the BCC library's website and it does mention borrowing Kindle using Overdrive, but then says "Note: Kindle Books are currently available for US libraries only." http://help.overdrive.com/customer/po...

And when you look at the Overdrive ebooks to be downloaded, they look like they're all in EPUB format. So I'm not sure why they have even mentioned it on the website!! I remember thinking it seems strange that you can use Kindles for library books in the States but not here - I guess I don't understand copyright issues, but it just seems so odd that technology that works in one country won't work in another!

I just realised some library ebooks are in PDF or "Overdrive Reads" formats, so maybe they might work on Kindles? I don'thave a Kindle either, so can't try it...

Kathryn wrote: "I just realised some library ebooks are in PDF or "Overdrive Reads" formats, so maybe they might work on Kindles? I don'thave a Kindle either, so can't try it..."

Blegh...I haven't come across a book that I've liked when it's been as a PDF format with the Kindle...More often than not the text goes super small.

Laura wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I just realised some library ebooks are in PDF or "Overdrive Reads" formats, so maybe they might work on Kindles? I don'thave a Kindle either, so can't try it..."

Blegh...I haven't..."

Maybe the "Overdrive Reads" is a better option - if it works on the Kindle...!

not sure there is that option with a kindle paperwhite...hmm..i will have to look.

I don't think there is the option to get library books with kindle paperwhite..I think not..though I haven't explored it to that extent...just use mine to purchase books from amazon. But if you have the kindle app on your ipad/tablet/smart phone, I think you can get library books with overdrive.
I found also that different libraries (in Sydney anyway) have thier own app which they ask you to download before you can borrow that way. I only did this with audiobooks though, so that might be why as they need the audio facility.
My last attempt at library books, they got me to download an app called OneClickDigital http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au... which is supposed to work for all libraries but I confess I haven't checked it out too much as yet.
On my pc I used to have to get library books through adobe or itunes, that was some time ago and I don't bother now as it was a convoluted process then.

Michael wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "Kerri wrote: "Just to add some confusion. I checked my library website and found a new announcement under Overdrive which stated ebooks were now able to be downloaded to the kindle ..."

It still doesn't make sense to me, Michael - it probably never will!!

☼♄Jülie wrote: "I don't think there is the option to get library books with kindle paperwhite..I think not..though I haven't explored it to that extent...just use mine to purchase books from amazon. But if you hav..."

You don't need the Kindle app to read ebooks with Overdrive on an iPad/smart phone etc, but you do need the Overdrive app.

I've never had to download anything other than Overdrive when I've wanted to borrow library ebooks at either of my libraries that I'm a member of - but maybe that depends on the library. Or it's an audiobook thing.

I think audiobooks can be confusing because there are so many ways to download/listen to them - through Overdrive, or BorrowBox or OneClickDigital - most of the time I don't use any app, if I can avoid it, and just download on the computer, import into iTunes and then transfer the file to my iPad and iPod through iTunes. I've used OneClickDigital once and I seem to recall it didn't seem very user-friendly, but can't remember why. Fortunately most of the audiobooks I want are available through Bolinda audio!

Good news for people with a Kindle Fire - I was just having another look at one of my library's pages with information about ebooks and saw this at the top of the page:

"Kindle users: Kindle Fire is the only Kindle compatible with OverDrive and EBL eBooks in Australia."

So Mikana, it sounds like you should at least be able to download books with Overdrive with the Fire. I can't help with your dictionary or WiFi issues, though... But it does seem strange if you can't read a book without using the WiFi once the book's been downloaded...

I always thought you had to use wifi to download then it didn't matter. Same as all the ebooks.

Sally906 wrote: "I always thought you had to use wifi to download then it didn't matter. Same as all the ebooks."

That's how it works for me too Sally:)

Sally906 wrote: "I always thought you had to use wifi to download then it didn't matter. Same as all the ebooks."
Yes, I would of thought the same thing. To always be connected to wi-fi to read a book seems a bit unfair.