Here is the handout from yesterday’s Tech Talk. Click here for printable version.
Sources for free ebooks
All Madison Library cardholders have access to the NH Downloadable Books program, which provides DRM-protected ebooks in Adobe’s ePUB format. For recently published popular works, this is most likely your best bet for finding an ebook that interests you.
If you like classics, older titles, niche or cutting edge reading, you may find the following list of other sites that offer ebooks useful. Some have ebooks unfettered by DRM (Digital Rights Management), though content may still be protected by copyright. Others offer ebooks that can be borrowed with an online account. Note that, if you are accessing ebooks through an account in your name, whether or not you pay for the account, your use of these books can and may be tracked.
Many of the links listed here were gathered from NH librarians, who share all kinds of information via email, listservs, and online groups as we help each other keep current to serve our communities better.
The ebook universe continues to redefine itself as publishers, authors, libraries, and others work to agree (or disagree) about who holds rights to content and/or container: creator, publisher, aggregator, or consumer.
Feedbooks http://www.feedbooks.com/ (Mobile site: http://m.feedbooks.com/)
- Description: Based in Paris, “Feedbooks is a cloud publishing and distribution service, connected to a large ecosystem of reading systems and social networks.”
- Formats: ePUB, Kindle format (mobi), pdf
- Software: Aldiko for Android devices, Bluefire for iOS, Adobe Digital Editions for PCs or Macs
- Devices: Sony reader, nook, not Kindle, but may work on other devices with Kindle app installed
- How free is free?: “Public domain” and “original books” can be downloaded without an account. Use is limited to those 18 years and older.
Open Library http://openlibrary.org/
- Description: “One web page for every book.” Only some of the pages link to ebooks, limit your search by checking “only show ebooks” under the search box.
- Format: ePUB (other formats available for some titles)
- Software: Adobe Digital Editions
- How free is free?: Some titles can be downloaded without an account, others require an account (free).
Inkmesh http://inkmesh.com/
- Description: “Ebook search engine to find free ebooks and compare ebook prices for the Kindle, iPhone, Nook, Sony Reader and more!”
Very easy to use. - Formats and devices vary depending on book and marketplace(s) for each title.
- How free is free?: Sites searched have free ebooks as well as ebooks for purchase. Each title’s link provides a link to bookstore sites, some of these require an active account to access a free ebook.