Modern technology has made it possible for libraries to offer ebooks - the text of books available for download to a dedicated reader, such as the Kindle or Nook, a tablet, a smartphone, or even a PC. Access to ebooks can be purchased for the library through the Nebraska Overdrive Consortium. Overdrive also provides audiobooks.

Patrons often bring lots of questions about e-Books and e-Readers to the library looking for help and answers. This is a format that has quickly become mainstream and an expected collection in any library. The Nebraska Libraries Overdrive Group provides a valuable opportunity for libraries to offer their patrons e-Books.

How do people read e-books?

"Accessing e-books requires a desktop or laptop computer, tablet, smartphone, or a proprietary e-reader device. Proprietary e-reader devices work best with their proprietary files. If you do not own a specific e-reader for example, a Kindle, Nook, or Kobo reader, free software applications are generally available for download to other devices to read files designed for the proprietary devices. Before accessing e-books, be sure to check what file format is most compatible with your preferred reading device. Then check your device's website and app store to find the appropriate applications for the other e-book formats you want to use.

PDF (portable document format), .txt (plain text) files, or web browser formats will likely be the most compatible for most devices for e-books, but these will lack special features offered by the other formats. For audio books, the most popular file format is MP3, which is widely supported on nearly all devices. Some e-books are available in the M4B format, which allows for bookmarking and is available for free download. A few other formats available require proprietary devices or a special software, which may be free.

Most e-book websites have more than one search or browse option. Some allow users to limit their searches to titles and/or authors; some allow full-text searching; some allow both. Some offer browse lists." (Library of Congress)

• Library of Congress Research Guides: Finding E-Books

How much do they cost and are there any restrictions to circulation?

Patrons may assume library e-books are purchased and function similarly to e-books purchased by individuals through stores like Barnes and Noble. However, due to pricing and lending restrictions, there are some differences.

Libraries pay a premium price for each e-book title they purchase. Publishers typically use the hardcover edition as a measure for the mark up. Some set prices at three or four times the retail hardcover price. Others have lending restrictions that require libraries to re-purchase a title after a certain number of checkouts. With these restrictions it is more accurate to say that libraries "lease" e-books rather than purchase. Some titles may not t allow simultaneous checkouts, meaning one title can be checked out by one person at a time. This is counter to many people's expectations since the content is digital and reproducible.

What is Digital Rights Management (DRM)?

Digital Rights Management (DRM) are digital rights tools that are used to manage and restrict or limit access to e-books. These restrictions may include e-book checkouts, downloads, printing, or copy/pasting pages or other content from the e-book. This may also include which devices or programs can view a specific e-book.

• "Limited Users" - The number of users who are allowed to access / check out the e-book is limited
• "Unlimited Users" - Any number of users are allowed to access / check out the book at the same time

How do libraries purchase e-Books to circulate?

If your library is a member of the Nebraska Libraries Overdrive Group, purchasing is done through the Overdrive Marketplace.

• Administrative Information for the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries Consortium
• OverDrive Staff Training

Some libraries choose to use other platforms, in which case purchasing is done through those. Examples of other lending platforms and vendors include EBSCO E-Books, Bibliotheca Cloudlibrary, Hoopla, or Axis 360.

Are there ways to get free e-Books?

Check out Project Gutenberg for free e-books of works in the public domain. Sites like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes, etc. may have free e-books available and/or special deals.