Max_E_Mas t1_je88al1 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 2:59 AM

Reply to comment by Sylphael in I read an article about Missouri’s House cutting funding to their libraries and it made me really sad. by poopmaester41

Huh. Really? So, how vast would you say this catalog is? On these apps? Like, do they have only a specific type of book? Do they have manga and comics? Do they have like more current books or just older? Im trying to get an idea so, if worse comes to worse I can get my Grandma to still have her reading. It maybe not as great as having a physical book in your hand (Something I personally feel as a Millennial and she is a Boomer so I know she will most likely agree.) but like. If I can still help her then damn it I am gonna.

Sylphael t1_je88zc9 wrote on March 30, 2023 at 3:04 AM

It depends on which library you get a card from; you get access to that library's entire digital catalog. My library is a pretty small library, so it's not vast but definitely still a good collection. We have manga and comics, and update our collection monthly with new titles that come out as well as requested titles. I recommend doing some research to find out which libraries are good values in terms of the cost of their out of county fee versus the size of their collection.

Max_E_Mas t1_je89qqs wrote on March 30, 2023 at 3:11 AM

I see I see. And is there like, a database I could look up this info or would it be like. Just county to county I need to look into?

Also, is there like a limit for how far I can be out of their district to rent?

Sylphael t1_je8bywy wrote on March 30, 2023 at 3:31 AM

I'm not aware of a database, but I did a quick search for which libraries retain the largest digital collections and that returned results pretty easily. It seems like the Los Angeles Public Library has the largest Overdrive/Librista collection in the US, for instance. Their nonresident fee is $50, which applies to all applicants who are not CA residents.

Usually there is no limit except that you be within the country, though I can't definitely speak for every single library. Certainly for the larger libraries at least there isn't. Most of them are very, very used to having members who live quite a distance away.

[deleted] t1_jea02bd wrote on March 30, 2023 at 2:30 PM

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carlitospig t1_jea0k4g wrote on March 30, 2023 at 2:33 PM

So I need clarification on this. I’m a Cali resident but not with a Los Angeles street address and I don’t see that they’ve opened it up to outsiders without physically going to LA. Where are you seeing out of state e-cards for $50?

“I don't live in Los Angeles, may I still apply for an e-card?

Anyone may apply for a full-access library card by visiting one of our library locations with identification and proof of address.”

Edit: and I just tried to apply for a card and it told me that I needed a LA address to apply for a card. So. Yah, I’m not seeing that they’re allowing out of county - or state - cards.