Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon discussion

Fortunately about a year or so before the pandemic, the local library here started promoting electronic services. We have Hoopla, Axis 360, and Overdrive.

Hoopla has been building its library by acquisition of materials and of other e-service providers. Recently Hoopla acquired Recorded Books--slews ansd slews of books that were on my various long tbr lists. Hoopla as it acquires more books cuts down on my book purchases and ILL fees. I am joyful grateful.

What pleases you most about your library's e-services?

I love that (since I read multiple books at a time) that when a hold comes in and I'm not ready I can pass it to the next person waiting and then get it after them (when I'm ready). It makes it less stressful for really popular books.

I love how sometimes I can get my holds earlier than expected and how the holds automatically return themselves.

Megan, I try to get my lifelong friend who now lives in the boondocks to use the e-services of her regional library. She just has to go into town--a 20-minute drive--to register once once a year. . . . Someday maybe.

Megan wrote: "I love how sometimes I can get my holds earlier than expected and how the holds automatically return themselves."

I had an ebook return itself and it freaked me out. I was totally expecting to be able to return it by midnight on the due date, but it pulled it back at like 8:00 PM. I have to wait for many many holds before I can check it out again, but I'm generally happy with the services.

I love both Hoopla and Libby/Overdrive. While the libraries were shut down for the pandemic, their ebooks and audiobooks were still right at my fingertips. Hoopla has a lot of older mysteries that I enjoy exploring by authors like Christianna Brand, Ellis Peters, Dolores Hitchens, and Patricia Wentworth. Both are great for graphic fiction, too.

mine uses Libby, Borrowbox & Indyreads.

Susan, I have used audiobook on Hoopla to read Brother Cadfael novel by Ellis Peters. I listen and read along some. HpThe audiobook helps me to get through the dense marrative of Brother Cadfael.

I actually get to have access to all library systems/e-services in the Houston area. I utilize Libby and Hoopla all the time.

I live in a rural area with a fairly small local library, but they have a partnership with the larger regional library so I also have a library card there. Although the closest physical library for that system is at least a 45 minute drive, I access their ebooks and audiobooks constantly.

Mine uses Overdrive and Hoopla. Hoopla is particularly great for audio and such. I don't like borrowing ebooks from there unless I have to because it doesn't load to my eink reader. Overdrive does load to the eink reader by my library is a bit limited.

Cynda wrote: "Megan, I try to get my lifelong friend who now lives in the boondocks to use the e-services of her regional library. She just has to go into town--a 20-minute drive--to register once once a year. ...."

I drive 15 min into town for a bigger Library as I enjoy it more so can relate to what your friend does. During bad weather though, it is wonderful to be able to access Library books digitally fairly quickly. Maybe your friend will some day try borrowing Library books digitally.

Lynnette wrote: "Megan wrote: "I love how sometimes I can get my holds earlier than expected and how the holds automatically return themselves."

I had an ebook return itself and it freaked me out. I was totally ex..."

Understandable how startling that would have been the first time! When I started first borrowing books digitally, I was also startled how it had just disappeared and realized it had automatically been returned.

I have to wait a bit on some books as well. I have cards from different Library systems which is a help as usually I can get most books I'm looking for at least on a hold list.

My library uses Borrowbox. Between that and my Scribd membership I never struggle to find an audio to listen to :)

I'm so grateful for my library access to Overdrive/Libby and Hoopla (as well as Kanopy for movies). They're so convenient and easy to use! I do need to remind myself go to my local library building from time to time and browse the shelves and check out some print books, which I also love to do.

As far as I know the Dutch libraries aren't connected to libby, overdrive, hoopla or any other service. They only have their own, which in my opinion is very limited in the more popular books, and English books are very few :(

I am grateful for access to Overdrive and Hoopla!