Sunday 9 December 2012

Sunday December 9th, 2012 What kind of eBook reader should I buy?

This question comes up a lot at the Library, especially at this time of year. eBook readers make lovely gifts, and like with the best gifts, you need to know something about the recipient to find the best fit.

Over the past few years eBook readers have evolved from simple reading devices to complex tablet computers which in addition to reading, allow the user to surf the Web, check email and use a multitude of apps, games and other diversions. 

Some eBook readers also have the capacity to play eAudiobooks.  If you just want to listen to eAudiobooks, which are electronic recordings of someone reading a book, similar to CD Books or Cassette Books, then an MP3 player or iPod Touch would be more appropriate for you.

Not all eBook readers (or eAudiobook devices) are compatible with our Library eBooks.  This is due to a complex tangle of proprietary file formats, copyright issues and publishers’ policies.  Notably the Kindle from Amazon is not compatible with our Library eBooks at this time. 

Thunder Bay Public Library is part of a group of public libraries in Ontario which jointly subscribes to OverDrive, an eBook platform.  While most of the books on OverDrive are shared, we have been buying eBooks for our patrons only.  For this reason it’s important to log in before you start searching in OverDrive, to ensure you are seeing all items available to you.

OverDrive maintains a list of compatible and incompatible devices in its online “Device Resource Centre”.  You can find a link to this list from our Web site:  go to www.tbpl.ca, click on “OverDrive” in the QUICK LINKSThis page on our Web site has a link to the OverDrive site, as well as tip sheets for the most common eBook readers we have seen at the Library. Reading over these tip sheets will give you an idea of the different ways eBook readers work.

A list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about OverDrive is on our Web site.  You’ll see the link in the left-hand menu when you navigate to QUICK LINKS / OverDrive.

There are two basic ways to get eBooks from OverDrive onto an eBook reader, and the method depends on what type of eBook reader you have.  One involves installing some free software called on to your computer.  The software for eBooks is called Adobe Digital Editions (ADE), and for eAudiobooks it is called OverDrive Media Console (OMC).  eBooks get downloaded to ADE (and eAudiobooks to OMC) and then from there transferred to your eBook reader. The other involves using an App directly on your eBook reader. This method works with the more complex eBook readers which are more like tablets.  Using the App to download books requires a Wifi connection – which is another consideration if you are giving an eBook reader as a gift.

Some eBook readers come with a stylus with which you can take notes and highlight passages.    If a person is considering purchasing an iPad or other tablet computer in the near future, it can also be used as an eBook reader – but the iPad does have a shiny glass screen so if the user has any eye sight problems, this could be an issue when reading. 

As you can see, this is not an easy question to answer!  There are a lot of things to consider.  As mentioned, there is a lot of information available on our Web site to help you with eBooks, as well the OverDrive site itself has a very good “Help” section.  Our Virtual Services Department is happy to provide hands-on, email and phone support for people using Library eBooks.  Contact us at 684-6819 or jaegard@tbpl.ca

Joanna Aegard

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