Don’t forget your local library….

My wife and I download a lot of e-books from our local library for free, and read them on trips. Support your local library!

I love libraries but do not get to mine very often. When I do, I often just read or look over books while in the library.

Our somewhat new library does not have used books for sale. Our old one did.

But. have not been for many months and might give another look over. Maybe they have added "friends of the library"

I take my kindle with me on trips, with library downloaded books, but read regular books most often. Back in the day, I would buy 2-4 used paperbacks before a trip and leave them at a hotel or chambre d'hote or hostel when done with them. I would often pick up a used one from there to take with me to our next lodging. It was a pretty popular and common way of getting some reading done while on a trip. I wonder if that is still a thing? We are more upscale than we were in our 20s and 30's and 40's and don't often stay in places where books are an exchange item. I kind of miss the serendipitous nature of that type of travel, but the old bones now need a guaranteed comfortable bed and an elevator when needed.

As a librarian, I want to thank you to Carol now retired and every one else on this forum who support there library. It's been a tough road for libraries as of late and may just get tougher. At my library we provide a "Friends of the Library" book sale area in a foyer-and the proceeds from that book sale help the library provide programs, supplies, and other things that enable us to provide services to the community.

For the record, Libby is a great resource-and you'd be surprised at how many people automatically think Kindle is how you have read an ebook. Um, no. You can read through your Ipad and Iphone without even having to go to Amazon. Sorry, I digress-too many times having to explain how to get Libby and why Amazon is not the be all end all to ebooks.

Again thanks for support and that libraries are not to be discounted as a resource for travel.

Small town Michigan here. Our library also has a "Friends of the Library" which we support. They also sell excess books in the lobby, and two weeks ago, had their giant annual book sale (outdoors) which draws a big crowd. My wife is a member of AAUW, who have an annual used booksale with some 16,000 books or so.

As for Libby, yes it works great. We still use Overdrive on our Android phones (predecessor to Libby). We have an Amazon Fire tablet, with LIbby, and another app called eLibrary Manager. We prefer to download ebooks from our local library system for free. If ours does not have a book we want, we can also try about a dozen other Michigan libraries in the same library consortium.

Our library also has a little section ran by “friends of the library” where donated books are sold. I find some treasures there as well. Today I did quite a well. 2024 Rick Steves France for 50 cents in brand new condition. 8 other guidebooks as well, all for a total of $5.

I wish our local libraries did the sale throughout the year, but instead, they do a larger sale several times a year. That's great for them to focus on the sale with resources and space, but it does make it a "put it on your calendar" sort of thing where we can miss the sale if we are away.

Honestly, I still like buying the "latest" guidebooks from RS if only because it's both a small investment in our specific trip, but also is a chance to support the travel industry I use (vs the newer TikTok or influencer-driven newer model) & to have a resource to return to post-trip.

In general, though, we use the library a LOT for both travel planning and for reading material. A great benefit to us and our community.

For the record, Libby is a great resource

I love Libby and use it to read on my Tablet daily. I've become an ebook snob and rarely read a physical book, except guidebooks. I still enjoy the flexibility of thumbing through guidebooks and use my local public library for them.

I don’t know what I would do without Libby. I love that app and use it all the time. I download fiction and non-fiction ebooks (both EPUB and Kindle), guidebooks, audiobooks, magazines and even local newspapers.

I don’t know how many people look at their magazine offerings but they have so many. My libraries subscribe to The Week, Discover Britain, and many more. One of my libraries subscribes to the city newspaper, so I can read what's going on locally.

I even got the nurses who care for my grandson with special needs to start using it. I gave them access to my account and now they download dozens of audiobooks on his iPad and keep them handy for him to listen to. He is visually impaired and non-mobile so listening to the audiobooks is a nice way to keep him entertained during the day.

I did find out a few tips from a librarian who wrote an article about using it. When you’re done with a book, it’s best to return it to the library right away rather than just let it sit in your shelf until it expires. I think it affects how much the libraries pay for it, although I could be wrong about that. Plus I always return the books that have someone waiting for them as soon as I’m done. I know I like getting books as soon as possible so I figure others do as well. :-)

You might enjoy the fact that as you "exit through the gift shop" at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's very popular, current "Sargent in Paris" exhibition, one of the books in a pile for sale is ... "Rick Steves Paris."

My library copy of RS Spain is on my shelf right now. I check out books and use both Libby and Hoopla for ebooks. I love my local branch and visit almost every week.

A big yes to Libby/Overdrive. I am also lucky enough to live in a city with its own large library system, but am close enough to visit branches of the county library (Los Angeles) which is huge, and Orange County (also very big). It's nice to be able to actually peruse the shelves at other libraries. When I can't find a physical book I often find the ebook in at least one of the library systems.

Just fyi...our library uses Kanopy for free access to TV, movies, etc., which I watch through my Roku system. (And I also return the books or ebooks as soon as I finish them, as Mardee does. The only ones I purchase through Amazon are some in a genre I like for a dollar or two.)

Another Libby/public library fan here! In addition to e-books via my county's library, I also pay $40/year for a library card from the neighboring county so I have access to their collection as well. I was trying to find an alternative to buying Kindle books from Amazon, and between both libraries I manage to read most of what I want to read.

My county's library used to have a decent selection of Rick Steves' guidebooks, both hard copies and e-books, but they were mostly pre-pandemic editions. They've removed all the e-books (except for, I think, Europe Through the Back Door) no doubt because they are outdated, but have not replaced them.

Just fyi...our library uses Kanopy for free access to TV, movies, etc., which I watch through my Roku system.

Judy, I do the same thing. I also use Hoopla, although I think Kanopy is more user friendly.

Kayla, I have access to 6 different libraries; 2 in Minnesota, 1 in Wisconsin, and 3 in Ohio (where I used to live). Many libraries will give library cards to residents of the same state, even if they don't live in that specific area. And some offer reciprocity to residents of neighboring states as well.

@Mardee, wow! That is a Libby lover's dream!
Georgia has a state-wide inter-library loan network called PINES, but neither of the counties in which I have a library card participates, unfortunately. I might have to see if any other GA county will let me pay for a card without having to go in person and show ID - I'd love to have access to more e-books.

Kayla, I found that some libraries allow you to get cards for ebooks only without appearing in person. So you might check that as well. In fact, I just did a bit of googling, and found PINES, but it does let you get a library card for ebooks by applying online. You just need a Georgia address: https://georgialibraries.org/your-library-card/

And don't forget to check if there's travel related programming! I work at a public library. Pre pandemic we did once a month Armchair Travels, and a staff member would present on a recent trip. In 2023 I started running a monthly travel discussion group. The powers that be cancelled me this summer even though I never got below four attendees. I maintain they didn't advertise it appropriately, and it should have run in the evening not morning. And I did a VR Travel program that was a lot of fun.

Our French Conversation Circle has also ended up at times being a bit of a travel discussion group.

Thanks Carol, what a great thread! And to those who mentioned Libby, I had sort of forgotten about it recently, will put the app back on my iPad.

Luckily we have great 'friends of the library' book sales, and I have quite a stash of DK & RS guides, just waiting to be RIPPED apart when I need a section for a trip!

Agree with all the digital library and Kindle posts. For each trip I tend to purchase one of Rick's books for Kindle and then use Hoopla, etc. for digital versions of other travel books to take with me. I find an hour two on the train to my next destination is a great opportunity to review what I have read and to ensure I have my game plan in place.

Carol now retired,
Thanks for this post! I need to be on the alert for our local library sale here.
Congratulations on snapping up some bargains at your local “Friends Of The Library” sale!

And thanks everyone for the reminder of ways to download/read books from the library.

This is a great reminder! I have Rick Steve's Europe through the back door book, but I'd love to see if my library has others.

Finally got over to my library and got a card. First public library card since the 1970's.

Have registered with hoopla. Incredible selections.

One question should anyone return to this discussion. Can I read and stream on my computer?

Thanks to Carole and everyone else for this discussion as well as other responses on questions that I posted re my Japan travel.

One question should anyone return to this discussion. Can I read and stream on my computer?

Simple answer: yes
Long answer:

1.) Download Adobe Digital Editions 3.0 for windows. When you start up this app, you "Authorize" this app. You can easily do this Anonymously. Exit the program. Windows should now mark this program to be the default for files of type "epub".

2.) Log into the library's e-library system with a web browser, using the username and password (or passcode) given to you by them.

3.) Select a book, click "borrow".

4.) You are given a few choices, Kindle, Read in Browser, or download.

5.) Click "Download epub format".

6.) Acknowledge that you have an authorized app to receive the epub file.

7.) Your browser now downloads a very small file called "xxxx.ascm" to the default download location of your browser.

8.) If windows opens Adobe Digital Editions automatically, that app will download the actual book in .epub form. If it doesn't open automatically, use file manager to navigate to the xxxx.ascm file and click on it.

9.) Read the book!

10.) In Adobe Digital Editions, there is an option for "Return Book". Do that when you are done.

thank you for the information traveler guy

Bostonphil
Does your library use a digital reader app like Libby?

Thanks for this post!

I've been using Libby for years, I'm proud of my local library card, I and shamelessly admit I've been checking out 1-2 year old Rick Steves guides to decide which current editions I actually want to buy for my upcoming trip. Some libraries even have travel class-style meetups or other resources.

Katheryne

I can also sign up for Libby but i believe it can only be downloaded onto your phone. Am I right?

I only have 1 gig on my phone so I do very little on my phone. . I do have an iPad but do not like watching anything on my iPad.

I watch movies and series and videos on my laptop.

I am not much of a reader but I leaf through things.

Bostonphil, Libby is an app that can be downloaded to your iPhone or iPad. I like it because you can download digital library books directly from the app (and renew the loans). It is similar to Hoopla. I read only on my iPad, so I don't know about the ability to use it on a laptop. Our library is not convenient to me so I rarely check out real books.

Katheryne

right now, I have so much stiuff to watch and read that I do not want anything more

I have broadcast TV which includes Court TV

I have Prime and am watching The Street on Prime

And now I discover hoopla which has so much to offer

and I am leaving for Japan in just over a month

Actually, you can use Libby on your laptop as well as your tablet or phone. I open it all the time in a web browser on my laptop (https://libbyapp.com). It's handy for reading travel guides as the photos are much bigger.

And you can also read the books in the Books app on your iPad (or laptop or phone) or in the Kindle app, of course. So many options!

Mardee

I think that you are one of the persons who turned me on to Hoopla and maybe Libby a few months ago when I was seeking information about Japan

Finally gt to the library to get a card and so glad that I did.

I looked at Hopla once and will not look again until I get back to Japan because there was so much I wanted to watch ...

I will try Libby on my laptop but maybe not immeidately.

So many options ..... so glad for technology and the internet (despite issues it presents)

Kathryne

I am going to try Libby on my laptop ..... will let you know

Thanks to you and Mardee and others for the suggestion

Wow, Mardee, I didn't know Libby had an on-line mechanism. That's sure easier than all my instructions for using Adobe Digital Editions, etc... I just tried Libby online, and it's so easy... A question I have is, if you accessed Libby from Europe, would it say "Libby is not available outside the U.S."? I know that's the case with Youtube TV or Netflix. Downloading the books ahead of time would avoid that problem, but then you'd need to read the books within the 14 day loan period.

Thanks everyone for the great info!

@BostonPhil....in the Libby app go down to the bottom and click on "Tags". You can create a folder to "SAVE" book titles that look interesting to you. I titled mine "Looks Good", lol. and when I am looking for something interesting I head for that folder. Conversely, when I am looking for one particular thing sometimes other title crop up that look interesting that I don't have time for at the moment. This helps me not lose track of them.

Our library has been closed (well downsized) for two years while the old one was renovated and enlarged. I've used libby for years, first with audio thru Libby and then when I could download the ebooks onto my kindle. Audio books thru Libby makes my chores and exercises so much more tolerable. That being said, our library reopened this week and it's beautiful! How I love being able to walk through the stacks and, in my mind, have the books jump out at me! I had to stop building my pile and get myself out of there. It will be so nice to hold these books in. my hands as I read! So happy. Love my libraries through the years. The children have an entire floor for their library!

I am still surprised at how many people I explain Libby to who are still buying all their books for their Kindle. Support your library. The Federal Gov cuts are threatening this system.

Travelerguy - I just looked at my Libby account and it looks like I downloaded books on Libby while I was in Paris with no trouble. I just needed wi-fi for my tablet.

Las Vegas/Clark County has an excellent library with lots of branches and programs. I donate not only books but puzzles as well to the Friends of the Library.

OMG-I would be lost without my local library! As well as books one of the local libraries has a "lending library" of things usch as garden tools, household tools. In addition, the library has passes to state and local attractions free of charge (just first-come, first served).
Intra-library loan? You bet. LIbby-for sure. I haven't used Libby yet because I love the feel of a book in my hand, but for my upcoming trip, I am investigating downlaods.

We also have a free book shelf. I have picked up 2 PD James books this month (shocked that they were on the shelf). No RS books on the free shelf but some available for check-out. We also have a significant number of tiny free libraries for the leave one-get one crowd. I always check them out.

Hi Pam

Thank you for the info.

so much available. My watching and reading cup is running over.

I love libraries and agree with others that we need to support our local libraries.

There is also Google Books, which in many cases will post MOST of a book. Just enough to get you going and want to buy the whole thing.

And just to mention, do yourself and our friend Rick a favor and ... before every trip, look and see if there's a newer version of the guide and buy it! It's not much money and it has invaluable information. If the guide on your shelf is more than a few years old, donate and replace it.

Check the website of your library for the complete list of online resources. Mine has AtoZ of World Travel. When we are slow I can browse that at the circ desk in the interest of learning about our online offerings!

I always get travel books from the library. This is absolutely the way to go. Great topic, Carol!