Wondering on Wednesday: Renting Library Books (Nook)

A few weeks ago, the Amazon Kindle released that they can now rent library books. (To see how to, you can click here.) But long before the Kindle came around to the idea, the Barnes and Noble's Nook has been actually been able to. I apologize to all of you Nook owners for not posting this sooner but better late then never... here's your step by step how to:

First off, you're going to have to install Adobe Digital Editions, if you don't already have it on your computer. It's a completely free program and a pretty simple step by step process that they lead you through, just make sure that you use the same e-mail and password that you use for your Nook (which should be the same e-mail and password you use to access B&N's website).

Next, just like when you do this on the Kindle, you need to go to Overdrive.com. Once that loads...
1) Find the box that says "New to downloads?" and put in your zip code.
2) This will lead you to a page where you find the closest libraries to you, click on the one you typically go to.
3) Now click on the link it provides for you. For instance mine is:http://kyunbound.lib.overdrive.com/
4) Once you're in your library page, search through to find the book you want. Be sure you find the Adobe ePub format of the book.
5) Proceed from your Bookbag to Checkout.
6) Be sure to specify how long you want the book out by clicking on the drop down box. Then press "Confirm Checkout".

Now go ahead and download your selection into Adobe Digital Edition. Once it's downloaded it will pop up so you can view the book on your computer, this will work as an iTunes library for your books so to speak. If you haven't already, plug your Nook into your computer using a USB cord to transfer the book over. Once it's connected, you should see "Nook" show up in your left hand side bar, simply drag and drop the book from your libary over to your Nook connection on the side.

And TADA! You have officially downloaded a library book onto your Nook.

Have any of you guys done this before? What did you think of the process? To be honest, I still haven't done this on my Kindle due to my over abundant book supply of TBR, and the fact that I didn't really see many books I was interested in getting.

Also, what other things would you guys like to know? Anything we can cover that we haven't already?

Renting Kindle Books from the Library

If you haven't heard yet, late last week Amazon broke the exciting news that libraries could now lend Kindle books.

Some high points from their announcement included books being sent to your device through Whispernet, Facebook and Twitter abilities to share favorite passages or quotes, real page numbers so you can follow along in book clubs and what I thought was probably the most cool, through Whispernet, Kindle has the ability to remember your highlights and notes within the margins so that next time you rent, lend or buy the book, they're there for you to see! (Don't know how to leave notes in your Kindle book? Don't worry, I'll show you how later this week.)

So now that we know that we can do it, how do we go about getting the books? How do we know if our library even has this feature? The best way to find out all of this information is to go to overdrive.com. This is the website that even the libraries use. Now from the link here is where you need to go...

1) Find the box that says "New to downloads?" and put in your zip code.
2) This will lead you to a page where you find the closest libraries to you, click on the one you typically go to.
3) Now click on the link it provides for you. For instance mine is:http://kyunbound.lib.overdrive.com/

From there you are able to browse books that are available for lending. If a book is there but isn't currently available you can choose to be put on the wait list. If your book isn't there at all, be patient, with this being a new thing for Kindle, more and more books are being added but with time. Back to the point- when you find a book you want, click on the title, then click on "Use on Kindle and Free Kindle Apps". You will then be directed to Amazon's website where you can log in, put in your library card information (You are required to have a library card.) and you can then have the title transferred to your device.

A few things that you should know is that the length of a loan is determined by the library. Also, to download a book you must be on a wi-fi connection. Even though some Kindles can download books from the store using 3G, library books cannot be transferred this way. To see the status of the library book you're waiting on, you can go to Amazon's webpage, click on "Your Account" in the top right corner, scroll down to the "Digital Content" box and click on "Manage Your Kindle."

Got a Nook and not a Kindle? Don't fret! We didn't forget about you. :) Next week we'll have a post explaining your process step by step as well.

So what questions do you have? Have you tried to get a Kindle book from your library yet? How well do you think this process works? What would you like to see happen to make things more efficient?

Can't wait to hear from you guys,
J

Kindle Books Now Availible to Libraries!

Yesterday Amazon announced this exciting information that so many Kindle owners have been anxiously awaiting for! Click here to see the official release via Kindle Post.

As I figure out more and do the process myself I'll make a post more in depth. But what do you guys think? Is this it, is this what we all have been wanting? Are your libraries offering Kindle books in your area? I'm still checking around to see about mine but I'm pretty pumped.

-J