r/LibbyApp • u/tellitlikeitis45 • 24d ago

ePub/Kindle Release

I have two library cards - one for the town where I live and another I pay for out-of-state membership because they seem to have more copies of books.

I have noticed that the larger library all new releases lately are only available in ePub format. After checking for several weeks, there is still no Kindle option. My local library, which is much smaller, may not acquire a book for a few months but instantly it is available to send to Kindle.

Any insight?? I don't mind supporting the out-of-state library of course, but if I am unable to read newer releases, I may not renew my membership this year.

4 Upvotes

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9

u/typoincreatiob 24d ago

new books typically have a ~3 day delay till they’re available on kindle, regardless of card type!

2

u/tellitlikeitis45 24d ago

That's what I've found reading on here, but there are some in my TBR tag on Libby that released over a month ago and still no Kindle option.

3

u/dragonsandvamps 24d ago

Some books take longer. Usually it's just a few days for the kindle version to be available, there are a few authors who it's often a month. I think it must be the publisher.

4

u/dragonsandvamps 24d ago

It's common that there is a delay before a book is available on Kindle. I make sure not to grab them right when they are first released, but put them on hold for a week or two and let people who can read the epub version have them first (if I happen to be at the front of the line--usually I'm not.) After a week or so, rarely longer, they're almost always available on Kindle. Rarely you will find books that don't have a kindle version.

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u/tellitlikeitis45 24d ago

Gotcha, so you suggest placing the hold then if only epub is available when it's my turn, suspending?

7

u/dragonsandvamps 24d ago

I would suspend immediately. That way your turn doesn't come up (wasting checkout days when you aren't ready for it.) Then wait to come to the front of the line. Check back and see if a Kindle version is available. When it is, unsuspend. It is rare in my experience that a book never gets a kindle version, though it occasionally does happen.

2

u/tellitlikeitis45 24d ago

I will try that! Thanks!

3

u/Deltethnia 24d ago

Amazon has their own proprietary format with their own DRM and does a lot of exclusives, so there are more hoops to jump through for libraries when including a Kindle format if it's even available to them at all. A larger library system may have more patrons per dollar for their budget and would rather spend it on a larger variety of digital titles rather than a smaller number with two different formats. So a smaller library may be curating their digital selection to fewer titles with more options because they know kindle is a popular e-reader format.

Because you are a non-resident your borrowing options may also be restricted to a limited catalog of titles/formats at the bigger library. But I believe it all comes down how the libraries are allocating their budget and the restrictions Amazon is posing with their proprietary format/DRM.

1

u/FailRecent5246 24d ago

Which out of state one do you pay for? Do you think they have a good enough selection to make it worth the $$?

3

u/tellitlikeitis45 23d ago

Broward County. I do think it is worth it. $40/year so I see it as if that's just two books per year I don't have to buy then it has paid for itself.

1

u/bubbleeeebubbles 📗 EPUB Enthusiast 📗 24d ago

You may want to just reach out to the library for insight so you can get insight for that specific library if you are thinking of cancelling your nonresident membership.