Same here. I always have 7 or 8 books queued up on Libby, but then sometimes two will become available at nearly the same time, or long droughts between. I tried getting a second library card from the next town over, but it didn't help. Still love libraries, just wish there more e-book copies.
this is because Libby (and all libraries) are under a copyright agreement to not simply give the books to anyone at any time, in unlimited amounts. it's the only way libraries are legally able to distribute books (and other media) at all
I think this is part of why my local library changed to Cloudlibrary. Same availability as having 2-3 library cards in Linbt, but theres very little wait.
Because libraries cannot afford the number of ebooks needed to meet the patron demand. An ebook costs 2-3x what a physical book costs a library & is only good for 36 check outs before it must be re-licensed. A good hardcover can circulate up to 100x before it becomes undesirable & needs replacement.
that's sick and unnecessary if that's the case. libraries are like... the last place anyone should expect to make a buck so why are they treated like they're a commercial business?? And charging MORE for an ebook??? God forbid people read a book I guess
Capitalism! Publishers can't do anything about physical books because of right of first purchase, but ebooks are licensed, not purchased, so they're screwing libraries with vigor.
it's such a shame we can't donate e-books the way we can donate physical copies... I cannot overstate how much I dislike touching (UNDISINFECTABLE) public property, and they're so convenient as someone who is always racking up fines
It’s more complicated than that unfortunately. Libraries still have to buy the licenses for a book, even if it’s in digital format. The more popular a book becomes tho, they can often end up buying more of that book. Don’t give up on your libraries they’re trying their best 🥺
Library budgets. Libraries only have so much money for collections- divided between print, e-content, adult books, children, young adult. And those budgets will get tighter in the next 4 years. Libby is just part of the budget.
People don't seem to realize that libraries have to pay for each person who reads it.
If you borrow a book on Libby and don't read it, that's basically a waste of library money (which I've accidentally done more than a few times, oops)
Do they pay per checkout or like one reader at a time for a year? “I’ll just read a couple of short stories and then put the collection right back in the morning so the next person can read it.”
At Austin (TX) Public, Libby, which is Overdrive, is a straight contract for X number of books/magazines, etc., which is why there’s a wait list, but hoopla charges for each use, so there’s never a wait.
As far as I understand, and this might be different from library to library, they can either pay a lump amount for a set number of reads, or an amount per read, the latter being more expensive, and they decide which based on how popular they think the book will be with their readers.
It could be. When I worked at APL, that was our explanation for digital holds, because it is kinda goofy. I don’t know what our options were, but that was our contract.
But that’s why there’s a 4-a-month checkout limit on hoopla. Unlimited copies is expensive.
The "certain number of borrows" is approximately the number of borrows a typical physical book gets before it is too worn out to lend anymore. I'm sure we've all had the experience of finding a library book in which some of the pages are falling out and the dust cover is badly torn, etc.
Libraries pay per copy with Libby. Each platform has different subscription methods. Hoopla they pay for unlimited digital copies, so it just depends on the platform. I assume Borrow Box is also per copy since it has queues
The library’s contract with Libby (which is Overdrive) is for X number of ebooks, as if they are print books. So it works like print books. A good system will flag titles with more than 5 holds a copy and buy more.
If your library has hoopla, there are unlimited copies because they charge per use.
Hi. You may already know this but it usually takes far less time to get the book once you put yourself on the waitlist. My public library often adds more copies for popular books (presumably measured by length of waitlist?) There is also a “skip the line” feature where you can suddenly get access.
Authors gotta get paid or there won’t be any books. Pay for four in circulation and that’s what Libby gets. It’s free tho, so maybe we should fund libraries.
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If you borrow a book on Libby and don't read it, that's basically a waste of library money (which I've accidentally done more than a few times, oops)
But that’s why there’s a 4-a-month checkout limit on hoopla. Unlimited copies is expensive.
If your library has hoopla, there are unlimited copies because they charge per use.
And sometimes I get lucky with 'skip the line' and find some good ones.
I love Libby.