Kindles and Library Books

pollyanna24

I want to get a Kindle, maybe for Christmas.

Because at the moment, I read most of my books on my iPhone downloaded from the library, I wondered if anyone knew if I will still be able to do this with a Kindle rather than buying books.

I downloaded an app on my iPhone called OverDrive which allows me to read the books from the library which are I think Adope EPUB books.

lulalola

As far as I'm aware at the moment it's not possible for ebooks you borrow from the library to be read on a Kindle. (I know Amazon are currently trialling a lending model for Kindle ebooks in some US public libraries - don't know if they have plans to extend this).

However, other ebook readers which support epub books will be fine. I have a Kobo and borrow library ebooks on it. There's also the Sony ereader too.

bluenoseam

Or if you use Calibre you can convert non-DRM (anti piracy measures) books to kindle format, although if it's from the library it probably will have DRM added to it.

peachyprice

No, you can't. The library books aren't in a format compatible with a Kindle and are encoded so that they can't be converted.

pattycake

I got a Kindle last Christmas and I love it. It is great for travelling and holidays.

Amazon always have loads of book which can be downloaded for free which is almost as good as the local library. Some are tosh but I have read some very good books which I got for nothing.

mum26

I have a Kobo touch and that is compatible with Epub (it's also v pretty ) so I can borrow books from the library etc. My ds has one too and he loves it.

binkyboo_2

i also use a kobo for downloading library books i think they are great and there is now a kobo glo out with a backlit screen which can be used day or night.

loulou123

I've got the kobo too and you use overdrive to download library books to it.

The fact you couldnt use a kindle for library books was one of the main reasons I didn't even consider a kindle when my Sony ereader broke, as my library (hampshire) has a fantastic selection of ebooks and you can often borrow new releases soon after release.

angeltreats

There are ways and means to break the DRM protection and read the library books on a Kindle, but they're not strictly speaking legal...

Overdrive have library books in Kindle format in the US but not here, I'm guessing something to do with licensing laws. It's very annoying.

emsywoo123

I am looking to get a Kindle as well, but should I really be considering a Kobo instead then?

thegirlintheattic

Kobo's are not as good as Kindles. Whilst an out of the box Kindle will not allow you to borrow library books, there is a very simple way of getting around this, which are documented online.