eReaders...

[BoSoxGal]

Here is what I have decided:

The Kindle is worth the price (for me it was free, but even if I'd paid the $139 myself) just to have access to the Canon of copyright-free literature, growing larger everyday thanks to the Gutenberg project, etc.

I won't be buying new fiction for it, because it's ridiculous to me to pay that price for either a Kindle version OR the book. Books have become insanely over-priced - $25 for a hardcover? Please!

Thank goddesses for libraries; I'll continue to support mine and be glad for the real and digital books that can be borrowed from it.

[The Hen]

Our newly released hardcovers are usually about five cents short of fifty bucks.

The taxes we pay to read is ridiculous. (Soft covers come in at the price of your hard covers.)

[Gob]

But we buy ours from Amazon UK, normally "used" at hugely discounted prices, same for DVD's

[loCAtek]

Can't afford kindle, I go to the library.

[BoSoxGal]

I go to the library, too - have a couple of books on hold as we speak. I'm anxiously awaiting Kindle's compatibility with eBooks for loan at the library, as I've already posted.

I wouldn't have purchased a Kindle for myself, because I'm still digging out from unemployment and I can't, thus, 'afford' it, either.

So we're even, Steven.

[thestoat]

I reckon they'll get cheaper as they become more mainstream and the tech gets cheaper. Of course, they may be on ebay as 2nds already. Not as cheap as a library though ...

[Gob]

Kindle, Wi-Fi, Graphite, 6" Display with New E Ink Pearl Technology [Includes USB Cable for Charging. For International Shipment]
by Amazon

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Kindle is our #1 bestseller and has the most 5-star reviews of any product on Amazon.

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http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-R ... B003DZ1Y8Q

That's cheap as chips! ay buy one after all.

On ebay they go for around;

Amazon Kindle 3 WIFi 6" E Reader, Brand New Aus Version
EXPRESS POST delivery. Australian seller, in stock now!

Item condition: Brand New

Time left: 4d 23h (05 Jun, 201117:46:29 AEST)


Price: AU $176.00 Buy It NowBuy It NowBuy It Now
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Postage: AU $12.00 Express ShippingSee more services

Service and other details:
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http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Amazon-Kindl ... 43a7549896

[thestoat]

And of course, Amazon have recently started shipping their "Kindle with special Offers" or something like that - an ad-supported version that is $25 cheaper or so

[Guinevere]

Can't afford kindle, I go to the library.

I can afford Kindle, but I prefer the library and nothing I've read here makes me want to change my mind. Not to mention, I still prefer the thrill of cracking open a cover and flipping pages. I have a free version of the Kindle software on my phone --- meh --- I've still not read the only (free) book I downloaded. I also have digital book lending through my library via Overdrive and its also meh. Not only do I not love reading on the device, but the wait times for the ebooks are much longer than for the paper editions.

As a Library Trustee, we are struggling with whether we should start to spend some of our very limited collection dollars on eBooks. Physical space is a premium in our library, but so are dollars. I'm interested in learning more about the cost side, and whether the ebooks are really worth it. So far, only a small number of our patrons have ereaders. So, to the extent there is a demand for ebooks, then we do need to meet our customer's needs. But how far do we go down that path?

[thestoat]

Guinevere

Would I be right in thinking that your decision against eReaders is more based on your links to your library as a trustee than a balanced view of their pros and cons? I know of 3 (out of 3) people who initially said they preferred physical books, tried Kindles and got converted.

Interesting you mention the dollars for the library to buy an ebook. I have heard of yet MORE profiteering by the publishers which I wonder if you can confirm. Apparently, a library book has a shelf life of something like 23 loans, after which it is too tatty to re-loan and needs to be thrown. I hear that publishers are considering this with ebooks, so that after a library loans one 23 times, it self destructs and the library has to buy again. Do you know if this is true?

[Guinevere]

Thestoat -- perhaps. I've been engaged in battling for the continued existence of our library for several years (because of funding issues) and I am a True Believer in free public libraries (I have been all my life, but being a Trustee has just solidified my position). They have a very important and significant role in our society and they always should. eReaders aren't exactly anti-library, but they place the barrier of $$ between a person and gaining knowledge, and I don't like that. So, let people who want to have ereaders have them. But any trajectory to make them the default reading method is problemmatic.

I've tried friend's Kindles, I've tried ereading on my phone, none of it impresses me. I do like my newspapers on line, because I hate newsprinty fingers. But other than that, I adore my books. I'm surrounded by them, at work and at home. Why in heavens name do ya think I'm a lawyer? Because we can hang out in libraries, surrounded by books

As to your last question, I don't know anything about the cost of eBooks to libraries yet, that's something we need to look into (and something I intend to raise at our next meeting).

[BoSoxGal]

One of the articles I posted has some good information about the cost of eBooks to libraries, etc.

I wonder about the statistic of 23 loans per physical book; my library has books that are very aged and have been lended FAR many more times than that. I'd say the same for every library I've ever borrowed from, including at university.

eta: LOANED - OMG, my English degree seems to have gone out the window!

[Crackpot]

for paperbacks perhaps

[Gob]

The cost factor to borrowers is one consideration for libraries. But there again, libraries have always had to adapt beyond books, and into technology as it changes. Our library system lends CDs, DVDs and other disc based materials, so why not e-books? (They also have a fine collection of "books on (cassette) tape", and lazer discs for loan!)

[oldr_n_wsr]

yes, keep buying more electronic gadgets. Get me back into the ranks of employed electrical engineers. Too bad they are all designed by Emmerson in Taiwan, Hong Kong or South Korea(forgot where they are located). Only hardware us EE's design nowadays is military.

[thestoat]

If war is the answer - it must be a pretty stupid question. (Saw that on a drum (musical) recently and just had to post).

The 23 loans figure is, I think for paperbacks, and may be completely fictitious, though I am pretty sure I did read that in relation to eBooks only being allowed to be loaned a set number of times before self destruction.

Guinevere - lawyer eh? Then I can see why you like libraries

[The Hen]

Carrying the number of books that Gob devours when on an overseas holiday will certainly weigh a lot less and take a lot less valuable space if electronic.

[Guinevere]

I get that Hen, and if I do more international travel, and longer trips, I could see being tempted (except that I can have "Kindle" for my phone, too, which works in a pinch). But for now, I'm fine lugging a large bag of books with me when I go away for longer than a weekend (and a small bag of books when I go away for a weekend). I also enjoy scouring the used book stores when I'm on vacation (and where we go in Maine every summer, I make a point of frequenting a local independent bookseller), so I can almost always find something to keep me occupied.

[Guinevere]

So Amazon is apparently reacting to some complaints over cost. Got an email about this today:

http://www.kindlepost.com/2011/06/kindl ... oday-.html

[BoSoxGal]

Thanks for the link, Guin - I'll be stocking up on some sale stuff for my upcoming ten days on my sister's porch hammock in upstate NY.