I have a small Netbook computer and I also like to read. I discovered I can download books from the library to my Netbook free.
For example, my city library offers hundreds of up to date books free to download to your computer or iPod touch, and all you need is to apply online for an account without stepping foot in the library.
Usually you can loan up to 10 books for up to 21 days at a time.
Check with your local library. They all have digital reading material to borrow for patrons. It's a great way to save money. No more buying books.
By pat from CA
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I am an avid reader, but with not a lot of time to read, I have turned to recorded books on tape or CD. I always had a difficult time getting things back on time. I learned that my library now has a web site for recorded books that I can download to my computer.
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I would like to borrow CDs and DVDs by mail. Is it a workable system?
By joanfry
And then of course you can always go to your local library.
There may be used book stores in your area where you can acquire audio books and then trade them on a swapa site as mentioned in the previous post.
We are contemplating purchasing a MP3 Player. At the present time, we are borrowing audio books on CDs from the local library. It is not always convenient to go to the library due to their closing hours. We can download audio books from the library's web site. I am not computer literate and don't quite understand how this works. So I thought a MP3 player would be a good idea to buy, but am not sure on what to purchase.
We only have interest in using the MP3 player for audio books. I understand that more GBs allows more information to be stored on the MP3 player. Would 8 GBs be sufficient to have? The 16 GBs model seems a little pricey for us at the moment. Any help would be appreciated.By it's.only.me
I would suggest getting a "nook" or "kindle." I'm sure most library's are compatible with them nowadays. You can probably do auto on it, and you can read the "book" electronically.
The cheaper way to go is with an MP3 player. You can find some with large storage capacity for a fairly decent price ( even as cheap as some of the one's half the size). It takes a while to look around, read reviews and make a choice.
Audio books can be a fairly good size to out right huge depending on the title. So the larger the MP3 player's storage capacity the better.
Another option, just not as convenient, is to download the books from the library and burn them to CD yourself. If your computer doesn't have a burner that is a low price item and an easy install. You mentioned you aren't computer literate so there would be a learning curve to over come but you have that even with the MP3 player. All depends on how much you want to spend and how convenient you want things to be.
If you have any questions send me a message I would be glad to help you. You may find a few kids in your area that would be willing to help you out. Or even a friend who is more PC knowledgeable to give you a step by step on how it's done. Just take good notes :)
I have really enjoyed audio books while traveling for my job. Check with library for compatible MP3 devices. I have used Zune, Ipod shuffle and Sansa. Sansa has the easiest use for me.
I agree with Suntytd. The MP3 is more cost efficient in both the short and long term. I transfer books from CD's that I borrow from the library for $0 to my mp3 player. Don't get me wrong, I do love my Kindle and I do borrow books from my library to use on it but the Kindle books I borrow from the library expire, the books I borrow on CD from the library are on my computer until I get get rid of them.
8 GB should be plenty when you consider that you will have a copy on your computer - at that point your restriction will only be how much storage space you have on your computer. You'll be able to swap the contents of what's on your computer with what you put on your MP3.
Enjoy!
All the previous suggestions are excellent. Most of the time, I prefer to listen to audiobooks. When I read a book, I prefer the paper (that's just me). Not sure when I'll be forced into a Kindle or something similar....
When I realized I'd have to change from audio cassettes and CDs to MP3, it was quite un-nerving. I decided to buy an iPod, though, instead of just an MP3 player. I needed the visual controls and prompts. My iPod has 8GB, which is plenty, for now, at least.
However, before purchasing anything, I went to the library and talked to their media people. I found out that the library offers a free, one-on-one, 1-hour introductory class with one of their media people. After I bought my iPod, I took that class; it helped a lot!
Audiobooks in MP3 format from our library can be downloaded directly to my iPod (with a wireless Internet connection). Other formats must be downloaded to my computer and then converted and transferred through OverDrive Media Console to my iPod.
Not sure the audiobooks I download from our library can be burned to CD. Our library's download setup process required an initial installation of a security add-on to both OverDrive Media Console and iTunes. This was to allow the audiobooks to "expire" at the end of the checkout period as well as to prevent pirating.
Personally, I was having so many issues with CDs (not playing on some of my players, scratches, skips, not saving the stopped position, etc.), I don't want to use them, anyway.
Happy listening!
