Download library audiobooks to Kobo e-reader

waveydavey48

Hi, my wife is keen to listen to audiobooks and we're thinking of getting a Kobo Libra 2. I'm trying to find out whether we can use it to download audiobooks from the library and listen to them on it. I'd like to be sure we can do this before spending £160. Can anyone say for sure whether it is possible.
I have asked the question in a few areas but can't get a definitive answer. My local library say they "think so". Kobo just direct me to generic articles which are ambiguous.
I know that the Kobo can be used to listen to audiobooks (if you buy them)
I know that you can download e-books onto a Kobo from the library (but does that include AUDIObooks)?
Does anyone know for sure please eg have you done it yourself.
Thank you.
 

k_man

Libraries use a range of different audiobook formats/applications which vary by local authority (Overdrive, Borrowbox, uLibrary, Libby etc...)
Do you know which yours uses?

That said most mobile phones support all those formats, so shouldn't need to use the Kobo (which is more an eBook reader anyway).

Neil_Jones

I think a lot depends on the services offered by the library and which providers they work with - so if they work with Borrowbox (for example) then the requirements will depend on what that runs on.  Same for Libby, Overdrive, PressReader... and whatever else there is out there.

waveydavey48

Thanks, my library uses Libby and borrowbox. As regards mobiles, we just have a bog standard mobile ie not a smartphone. Also, we would use the reader for e-books as well as audiobooks. I'm not really tech savvy. Any idea whether the fact my library uses Libby and Borrowbox means we can listen to audiobooks on a Kobo? 

elsien

I have a libra and my library uses borrowbox. Give me a couple of days and I'll have a play and get back to you.
Otherwise email borrow box and ask - I have found them responsive to queries. 

flaneurs_lobster

waveydavey48 said:

Thanks, my library uses Libby and borrowbox. As regards mobiles, we just have a bog standard mobile ie not a smartphone. Also, we would use the reader for e-books as well as audiobooks. I'm not really tech savvy. Any idea whether the fact my library uses Libby and Borrowbox means we can listen to audiobooks on a Kobo? 

You say you are not really tech savvy, unless you are happy with connecting up your Libre to a PC and copying files into the directory structure then it's a no. There would also be some fiddling to get bluetooth to work with the (second, unsupported) audio player that must be used.

Kobo's integration with Overdrive to borrow library ebooks works just fine. You'd be best looking at another portable device for library audiobooks, easiest would be smartphone (which I'm aware you don't have) or tablet plus Libby app.

waveydavey48

flaneurs_lobster said:

waveydavey48 said:

Thanks, my library uses Libby and borrowbox. As regards mobiles, we just have a bog standard mobile ie not a smartphone. Also, we would use the reader for e-books as well as audiobooks. I'm not really tech savvy. Any idea whether the fact my library uses Libby and Borrowbox means we can listen to audiobooks on a Kobo? 

You say you are not really tech savvy, unless you are happy with connecting up your Libre to a PC and copying files into the directory structure then it's a no. There would also be some fiddling to get bluetooth to work with the (second, unsupported) audio player that must be used.

Kobo's integration with Overdrive to borrow library ebooks works just fine. You'd be best looking at another portable device for library audiobooks, easiest would be smartphone (which I'm aware you don't have) or tablet plus Libby app.

I must admit I didn't think it was so complex.

k_man

Dedicated readers work well with purchases from the respective stores (so Kobo store in this case, or Amazon for Kindle ereaders).
Less so with ebooks from elsewhere, and even less so with audiobooks.

That is their business model, the revenue is mainly from content, not the devices.

As suggested, a multi purpose/open device (tablet or smart phone) is much more flexible.

Le_Kirk

We have downloaded books from our library to our Kobo and before that to our Sony e-reader until someone (OK it was me) sat on it.  Not all libraries use the same system.  Best way to check is to go to Cloud library: -
https://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/
and check to see if you have a local library that offers downloads.

k_man

Le_Kirk said:

We have downloaded books from our library to our Kobo and before that to our Sony e-reader until someone (OK it was me) sat on it.  Not all libraries use the same system.  Best way to check is to go to Cloud library: -
https://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/
and check to see if you have a local library that offers downloads.

Is that ebooks, or audiobooks?

flaneurs_lobster

Cloudlibrary is another ebook (and audiobook) lending solution for libraries, like Libby and Borrowbox etc. Not very common in UK, it's only used by half-a-dozen Local Authorities (and an NHS Trust).