Your Digital Public Library Resources

Libraries are fantastic places, and I’m not saying that just because I work in one. I say that because I’m a tried and true bibliophile, and libraries are filled with wonderful books for me to read. Best of all, I can support my insane reading habit without breaking the bank. However, when I mention libraries I bet most of you are thinking about print books, and those don’t work on your Nook, Kindle, iPad, or other e-reader. You might think you have to travel to your library in order to check out materials. You might think of a tiny community library in a small town that just doesn’t collect a lot of speculative fiction. You might even think that in order to have access to enough e-books to fulfill your ever-growing need of all things SF—at a cost that doesn’t leave you in the red—you have to illegally download pirated copies of these works.

Well, I’m joyfully here to tell you that you’re wrong on all counts! It’s not true that, in the age of Google and the internet, libraries have become obsolete mausoleums of an age gone by. Card catalogues have disappeared, only to be replaced with complex searchable databases. Stamped due date cards have been replaced by printed receipts. And, slowly but surely, e-books are being offered right alongside print books.

OverDrive
Before most people were aware of digital books, a company called OverDrive was founded as a distributor of electronic books. Today, OverDrive provides digital distribution services to over 18,000 libraries worldwide, and that number is only growing as more public libraries invest in new technologies. OverDrive is the primary platform used by libraries in the United States, and supports all major e-readers (including Kindle in the US). Similar services are available around the world from different companies and co-operatives. Here’s how it works:

A public library buys OverDrive’s services, often as part of a collaborative network with other libraries in their area. A librarian at each library chooses which e-books they wish to purchase for their collection, and, once purchased, these copies become available for a set number of circulations. Note: I said purchased. That means that these copies have been legally acquired, and the author has received a royalty payment for them! Once a copy has been purchased, it becomes available on the web to registered members of that library. It can be downloaded one copy at a time by patrons onto whatever device they wish to use, from PCs to dedicated e-readers. You can choose to either check the book back in once you have read it, freeing that copy up for use by someone else, or it will automatically delete itself off of your device when your check out period expires. Once the set number of circulations has been met, your librarian will make a decision on whether to re-acquire it based on demand. If demand is high enough, another copy is purchased, and the author gets another increase to their royalty check. So, in essence, you get your free e-book, and the author gets paid.

The downside
Now, there are a few drawbacks to this system. First, as with any library material, there is the potential for wait lists. This means that you may not have the instant gratification of being able to read it immediately. Also, there are publishers who chose not to offer their electronic materials to libraries, or are choosing to delay the sale of electronic materials to libraries in order to protect sales of individual copies. Finally, not every library can afford to participate in these cooperatives.

You’re not stuck in your small community
So, now I’ve told you how e-lending works, but what if you’re still stuck with that small community library which doesn’t collect much speculative fiction and doesn’t offer e-books… Well, you’re still not stuck completely. At least in the United States, libraries are not necessarily restricted to specific geographic locations. For example, the library I work for is funded primarily by property taxes, as are many libraries in the US. Everyone who lives within the areas that pay taxes to support my library qualifies for a free card. Those who live outside of those areas may pay a non-residency fee in order to use the library for one year with the same rights and privileges as those who have residency in our service area. For my library, that non-residency fee is $50 USD, which is approximately equal to the cost of two hardcover books or five mass market paperbacks. Or, as I like to think of it, as many e-books as you can read in a year. Not bad, right? So my advice to you is to research the libraries within reasonable traveling distance to you. What do they offer? What are their card policies? You may just find a little gold mine of awesome.

Useful links
I’d also like to put in a little disclaimer before I give you some links: it is always best to purchase books legally. This means that you have given the most support for the writing and publishing of future books similar to the one you purchased short of commissioning such works yourself. I am not trying to convince you to not buy books, but I hope I’ve convinced you that there is a workable alternative to online book piracy. Libraries have provided a system where the author gets monetary support, and you can afford to read while making sure all the bills get paid. The next time you think about downloading an e-book illegally, please, stop and research if you can check it out from a library!

Finally, some links. First, to OverDrive, the biggest e-book distributor in the world. They also have a handy participating library search, so you can find a library near you that much easier. Second, the Midwest Collaborative for Library Services digital catalog, which is a cooperative platform for digital collections. These libraries are primarily all in Michigan, but do include libraries with non-residence service (including mine).

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