[Bealman]

They should be using Libby. Much easier to use and wide selection of books. Fast downloads and retention of books on reader. Used it in CO and never had issues like I have had with Boundless. Could also reserve books prior release. I stopped reading many series of books because I can't find them on Boundless.. Sumter should go with Libby and not bother with the second rate ebook serviices.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by Bealman

They should be using Libby. Much easier to use and wide selection of books. Fast downloads and retention of books on reader. Used it in CO and never had issues like I have had with Boundless. Could also reserve books prior release. I stopped reading many series of books because I can't find them on Boundless.. Sumter should go with Libby and not bother with the second rate ebook serviices.

When digital books came out, I thought it would revolutionize libraries. Why pay for all the library shelves and space when the books can be stored in the cloud? And publishing a digital book should be a lot cheaper than printing a hard copy. Unfortunately, digital books are more expensive for libraries than hard copies.

The following article explains the problem.

The True Cost of eBooks and Audiobooks for Libraries - Spokane Public Library

[retiredguy123]

What bothers me is that the Sumter County libraries are operated by a private contractor, and there is zero security. Anyone can walk into a library and take as many books and DVDs they want, with no requirement to check them out or to ever return them.

[donfey]

Originally Posted by rochellepfaff

I just watched the short version and I'm sure the narrator kept saying libary, instead of library. At least that's how it sounded to me.

Oh, my!

[Tom52]

I currently use Boundless from the Sumter County Library and I have to pay $40 per year to use the Cloud Library at the Lake County Library. Ebook offerings are a lot different between the two systems.

I only use either library to download ebooks. My question is, if the Sumter County Library system changes to Cloud Library, will I get the same exact ebook offerings from either county library? If that is the case I would be wasting $40 for a library card for Lake County.

OR, does each county library make an independent decision on which, or, how many books they would offer to their customers?

[Deckboat234]

Originally Posted by logdog

Still no support for Kindle users. I pay my Sumter County taxes and can't use my library to checkout eBooks to read with my Kindle Paperwhite.

I agree 100% with this. I even wrote sent them an email and it appears they don't care. I pay to use Broward County Florida's libby access. It is about 39 a year.

[Deckboat234]

Originally Posted by Bealman

They should be using Libby. Much easier to use and wide selection of books. Fast downloads and retention of books on reader. Used it in CO and never had issues like I have had with Boundless. Could also reserve books prior release. I stopped reading many series of books because I can't find them on Boundless.. Sumter should go with Libby and not bother with the second rate ebook serviices.

you can join Broward county Florida's library for $39 per year for libby access as a non resident

[Just jimmy]

Originally Posted by Rainger99

I called the Sumter library today and they told me that they were changing over to cloudlibrary in May. However, I went on the cloudlibrary app tonight and it works with my Sumter library card. I just downloaded a book to my iPad. The selection seems better than boundless.

Lake County also appears to be using cloudlibrary.

What annoys me is that Sumter County Library System (Library) provides a free borrower’s card to any resident of the State of Florida who completes an application.

I don’t think Lake gives us a free library card to Sumter residents. Lake gives you free cards to residents of Marion, Seminole, and Volusia counties. They charge us $40 a year.

Broward county also gives free library card to Sumter. They have a good selection also. I don’t know what system they use. It’s been a while since I used it.

[NoMo50]

Originally Posted by Arlington2

The only library app supported by Kindle paperwhite is Libby. Loans need to be placed on a pc and then loaded to the Kindle paperwhite. Sumter does not support Libby. Lake county does. If you are not in Lake county there is a substantial charge for a library card.

My wife and I are avid Kindle users, with no desire to change to a different e-reader. So, it is very disappointing that Sumter County has no options for us. However, our daughter lives in Maryland and she was able to hook us up with a perfect solution. On a visit a couple years ago, we went to the Montgomery County library, and we were able to get a non-resident library card for $10 per year. We get full access to Libby, and all it has to offer for Kindle users.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Tom52

I currently use Boundless from the Sumter County Library and I have to pay $40 per year to use the Cloud Library at the Lake County Library. Ebook offerings are a lot different between the two systems.

I only use either library to download ebooks. My question is, if the Sumter County Library system changes to Cloud Library, will I get the same exact ebook offerings from either county library? If that is the case I would be wasting $40 for a library card for Lake County.

OR, does each county library make an independent decision on which, or, how many books they would offer to their customers?

That's a good question. Since you can see the Lake offerings on CloudLibrary already, switch your login to your Sumter card number and see if the same books are available. (I don't have a Lake card so I can't do that - you have both cards so you can)

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by FloridaGuy66

The Kindle uses a proprietary format. Other devices by Samsung, Apple and a hundred other companies do not.

Blame Kindle, not the library.

You can read ebooks on a Kindle Fire tablet, but not on a Kindle ereader. As far as I know, Samsung and Apple sell tablets, but not ereaders. Kindle is, by far, the most popular ereader device and format available. I think the libraries should adapt their ebook collections to operate on the Kindle ereader. It is a significant part of their ebook customer base.

[Nana2Teddy]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

You can read ebooks on a Kindle Fire tablet, but not on a Kindle ereader. As far as I know, Samsung and Apple sell tablets, but not ereaders. Kindle is, by far, the most popular ereader device and format available. I think the libraries should adapt their ebook collections to operate on the Kindle ereader. It is a significant part of their ebook customer base.

I haven’t needed a Kindle ereader since getting an iPad many years ago. I have the kindle app on my iPad & iPhone, which makes it much more convenient to use than having to have a separate ereader.

[aces_04]

Good question. Love Boundless. Going to finish reading my current and do a screenshot of my wishlist and waiting list. 😕

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Nana2Teddy

I haven’t needed a Kindle ereader since getting an iPad many years ago. I have the kindle app on my iPad & iPhone, which makes it much more convenient to use than having to have a separate ereader.

A lot of people prefer an ereader because it is easier to read than a tablet, it can be used outdoors in the sun, and there are features that the Kindle software provides that a tablet doesn't.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

A lot of people prefer an ereader because it is easier to read than a tablet, it can be used outdoors in the sun, and there are features that the Kindle software provides that a tablet doesn't.

Yep, an e-reader is lighter, smaller, and the brighter the sun the easier it is to read.

If I read enough I would definitely purchase an e-reader to carry as well as my iPad. I would also look into the $40/year at Lake County and possibly Amazon's Kindle Unlimited (which really isn't unlimited which is why I would only possibly look into it).