Allows you to create a list of #libraries where you have a card (borrowing privileges), and then displays ebook / audiobook availability when you visit certain book pages.
It's very cool and has saved me alot of money (borrowing vs buying).
@bookstodon@geekaren@rustoleumlove@DelilahTech yep, check your county and state laws. Here in California, if you belong / reside to a library that does NOT a charge non-residents, then you can borrow from other “free” libraries.
This is very nice for ebooks. :)
@KBroquard@bookstodon@geekaren@rustoleumlove@DelilahTech In Solano County library we will give a card to pretty much anyone. If you have a California address, you can have a library card. Unhoused? You can get a card that gives you access to our computers and streaming services. Here temporarily? Mail yourself a postcard where you're staying, bring it in with your ID and get a temp card.
@FlorriePuddlefoot@KBroquard@bookstodon@geekaren@rustoleumlove@DelilahTech
You do have to be able to get to the library physically, at least once and sometimes every 3-5 years to renew - at least, in my experience. I have 11 library cards (including Sonoma, from a trip up there) and almost never check out a physical book, because most of them are quite a distance (LA Public Library is the furthest, so far). I'll need to go down to LA (from the SF Bay Area) next January to renew - worth it!
@bookstodon@rustoleumlove@DelilahTech@jjmcgaffey@geekaren@FlorriePuddlefoot several libraries had options during more of the stay at home part of the pandemic. Some were 90 day cards until you could get there in person. Brooklyn public library used to let us out of state folks pay a fee - did we email a copy of our drivers license?? Can’t remember
@KBroquard@bookstodon@rustoleumlove@DelilahTech@geekaren@FlorriePuddlefoot My LA card should have expired in 2021 - they extended the period because COVID. Three extra years. But I will need to go down there in 2024.
Some of my cards will let you re-up with an email or phone call, but several still need an in-person visit.
@FlorriePuddlefoot@KBroquard@bookstodon@geekaren@rustoleumlove@DelilahTech Cool! And I'll be going through Vacaville in a week - I'll pick up a card shortly (don't know how I read Sonoma for Solano, up too late). More cards, more books, he-he-he! (Rubs hands)
@KBroquard@bookstodon@geekaren@rustoleumlove@DelilahTech How does that work, to borrow (ebooks) from other libraries? Link+? I have a lot of cards, but being able to borrow occasionally from other places would be very nice.
I am fortunate enough to have free access to two systems, state and county, but they do charge non-residents. You are right about the difference in e-book choices. One of my digital libraries offers 40k choices and the other offers 26k.
Would it be worth it to pay for access from a library which charges the least for non-residents? I'm in GA, and there's a county, Coweta, which charges ten bucks a year, whereas most library systems across the US charge like $50.
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