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Last Updated: Sep 26, 2023     Views: 6363

What's happening?  

The Sarasota County Library System has migrated its eBook and eAudiobook service from OverDrive to cloudLibrary. eAudiobooks were discontinued in June 2021, and eBooks in OverDrive were discontinued after April 26, 2022. cloudLibrary will be your primary source for eBooks and eAudiobooks as of those dates. cloudLibrary is easy to use and has a larger selection of materials to choose from. 

 

Why is this happening? 

Sarasota County Libraries has maintained two eAudiobook and eBook platforms for five years. Offering multiple platforms requires purchasing multiple copies for each service, and libraries pay four times as much for a copy of an eBook as retail customers. Publishers are raising prices and metering licenses, meaning they expire and must be repurchased after a specified number of uses or length of time (For more information, please visit ALA’s #eBooksForAll campaign). We have found that the cost to maintain two separate platforms is unsustainable and in the interest of maximizing our limited collection funding, we have made the decision to migrate to a single platform.  

The libraries are choosing cloudLibrary because it has an easy-to-use app, is the best value, and offers the most titles. cloudLibrary offers more than 274,000 eBooks and eAudiobooks, from popular to classic, fiction and non-fiction titles. cloudLibrary also allows member libraries to share collections through a consortium model. This increases the number of titles available to our patrons and will reduce wait times for popular materials/titles.  

Additionally, our OverDrive collection will be migrated to the cloudLibrary platform, allowing us to retain access to those titles. Other libraries in Florida have also made this decision, including Hernando, Mandal Public Library of West Palm Beach, and Palm Beach County Library System.  

 

Will my device work?  

Kindle Fire (third generation and up) and other tablets, smartphones and computers are all compatible with cloudLibrary. Kindle Fire users will no longer be able to read eBooks with the Kindle app, but can download and use the cloudLibrary app. While similar in its platforms, Kindle Paperwhite devices do not work with cloudLibrary. Amazon only works with OverDrive to offer eBooks on its simpler Kindle eReaders (Basic, Oasis, Paperwhite, Voyager, and Kindle for Kids), while cloudLibrary actively continues to try to get permission for this. We are alerting our patrons to this change to allow Paperwhite users ample time to adjust to the new platform. 

 

How do I get started with cloudLibrary? It's very easy!  

We look forward to having an expanded collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks all in one place, whether exploring the Feature Shelves, searching for a specific title, or just browsing.    

Let us know how you like it! 

 

For additional eBook/eAudiobook options check out hoopla, another free library resource.  Hoopla also has streaming video, music and graphic novels.  

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Comments (42)

  1. I use both Libby and CloudLibrary, and enjoy both. The difference seems to be that one must be connected to to internet in order to read on CloudLibrary. Libby allows one to read off-line. Is this correct? I travel in the wilderness 4-5 months a year, with only occasional opportunities to connect. I I truly rely on Libby. Will there be any alternative technology that will permit off-line reading?
    by Lydia M on Jun 15, 2021
  2. PLEASE do not get rid of the Paperwhite compatible app. Paperwhites are perfect in Florida, no glare, water proof and beach proof. I wish you had asked the patrons what would work best for them!?!
    by SDfla on Jun 15, 2021
  3. Hi Lydia, thank you for your question! Both Cloud Library and our other eBook provider Hoopla do allow you to download eBooks and eAudiobooks to your smartphone or tablet for offline reading. Each one is available as a free app from your device's app store, just like Libby. To download an item you've borrowed in Cloud Library to your smartphone/tablet, open the app and go to your My Books tab. Choose the Current option to see everything you currently have borrowed. From there, simply click on the arrow on the cover of the item you'd like to download. Once it's downloaded, the arrow will no longer appear on top of the item's cover and you can tap the read/listen button to open it offline. Just like Libby, Cloud Library allows you to have up to 10 items checked out at a time. To download an item you've borrowed in Hoopla, open the app and choose the My Hoopla tab. Select the Borrowed option, and then click on one of the items you've borrowed. Once the item details page loads, simply click the Download button. Once it's finished downloading, the button will then say Read/Listen. If you're using a computer/laptop, Cloud Library does allow you to download eBooks to your computer, though it does require a free program called Adobe Digital Editions to open and read the eBooks once they're downloaded. There's a full tutorial on downloading eBooks to a computer here, including a link to a free download of Adobe Digital Editions: https://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/e-ink-web-patron/. I hope this helps! If you have any other questions, please feel free to call us at 941-861-1110 or chat with us!
    by Anna Kate Tippett on Jun 15, 2021
  4. Hello SDfla - Thank you so much for your comment about your preference for using OverDrive/Libby for Kindle Paperwhite access. While Kindle Fire and other tablets, smartphones and computers are all compatible with cloudLibrary, Kindle Paperwhite devices won't work. This is one reason why we're alerting patrons now, before it goes away next year in March (2022). The decision to go with cloudLibrary as our primary ebook resource has been researched quite extensively. Having two separate platforms is unsustainable. In the interest of maximizing our limited collection funding, cloudLibrary became the obvious best option, partially due to the large collection of ebook/eaudiobooks offering more than 200,000 items. We'd like to mention an option -- Project Gutenberg, a free online resource for ebooks that you can transfer to Kindle Paperwhites. Here is a link: https://www.gutenberg.org/ Although it's not a replacement for what we've currently offered through OverDrive/Libby, it could be of interest to you. Thank you again for reaching out to us. Please feel free to use our Ask Us chat, email, and text service (https://scgovlibrary.libanswers.com/), or call or visit us anytime. We appreciate hearing from our patrons.
    by Cathay, Sarasota County Libraries on Jun 15, 2021
  5. I use the library system frequently and I absolutely love the Kindle paperwhite. Yes, I do have a tablet that I could download books onto. No, I don’t want to. I can read in the sun with a Kindle much more than I could with a tablet. Very disappointed in this decision.
    by Booklover on Jun 15, 2021
  6. I am also a Paperwhite user, and I love it for reading outside in the sun. I find it unfortunate that I would have to spend $300 plus to continue using the library.
    by Cheryl on Jun 17, 2021
  7. I am also extremely disappointed about the Kindle Paperwhite not being compatible with the new system. It's really a big deal to have to get a new device to read on, and as SDfla points out the waterproof glare proof screen is a huge asset in FL. Is there any talk at CloudLibrary of updating their app to accommodate the Kindle Paper white format? In any case, thank you for the advance warning. I will look again at Gutenberg.
    by Dorothy Tiberii on Jun 18, 2021
  8. I echo the sentiments from several of the other readers. I too use the Paperwhite and have no intention of moving to a tablet or laptop to read ebooks. It is very disappointing that the Library is making this change which I am sure will negatively impact thousands of your users.
    by Ken W on Jun 26, 2021
  9. I understand the reasons why you are changing to a single provider. I read and listen for my iPhone and that works fine. Thanks for these services!!!
    by Denise on Jul 04, 2021
  10. I have a kindle fire and it DOES NOT work with cloud library. When I try to download the cloud library app, it tells me it is not compatible with my device. By doing away with overdrive you have made it impossible for me to use the library. Please reconsider.
    by Maria Reba on Jul 04, 2021
  11. I am also very disappointed that I will no longer be able to borrow books to read on my kindle paperwhite.. This is the only way I read books as it is lightweight and easy to read. Did you ask your patrons how they feel about this decision before you made it?
    by Shelley k on Jul 04, 2021
  12. I, too, will miss the ability to download on my non-Fire Kindle which I bought recently because of all the ebooks I was reading during the pandemic, thanks to our wonderful library system. The issue for me is that a tablet charge lasts for a much shorter time than a Kindle. I can easily read for weeks on one charge of my environmentally-friendly Kindle. That said, I understand the financial issue. Thank you for giving these detailed reasons.
    by Osprey Writer on Jul 04, 2021
  13. Not being able to use Kindle Paperwhite for ebooks is cutting off my supply for borrowing. The requirements for CL are not feasible for me.
    by Jnana on Jul 04, 2021
  14. I echo the disappointment reflected in the comments above in terms of dropping Kindle support with this transition to cloudLibrary. I joined the Sarasota library recently and from where I come from (Fairfax county public libraries, Northern Virginia), I was extensively using OverDrive to borrow Kindle books to read on my Kindle. Kindle PaperWhite is a device that's optimized for the reading experience and no other tablet even comes closer to offering the same experience in reading ebooks. So, this seems a very shortsighted decision by the library to move to a platform that offers no support for reading Kindle books. VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED!!
    by Raja K on Jul 04, 2021
  15. I’m very disappointed in your decision to go to a platform incompatible with Paperwhite. Other devices have issues with battery life, glare, size, etc. If I choose to use the new platform, it means buying a new device and not being able to read outside.
    by Patsy on Jul 04, 2021
  16. I emailed Amazon about the paperwhites compatibility with the CloudLibrary and received this response: You've written to an address that is not currently accepting incoming e-mails. You can visit our help pages to find answers to common questions or use the contact us link at the bottom of any help page to talk to a customer service associate.
    by JoMihalo on Jul 04, 2021
  17. I just bought a Kindle Paperwhite during Prime Days to use at beach instead of taking my library books so this is very disappointing to me to have to either return it or use another non library source for it..yes I also think the patrons should have been polled about what to keep or get rid of before a decision was made. I realize cost has to be put first for our system but don’t think thinking everyone uses tablets or smartphones to read is reasonable since most patrons here are older adults who don’t want to use them for reading at beach or near water or own them.
    by FLBeachlover on Jul 04, 2021
  18. Follow the library's suggestion instead of bashing the library. They provide many free and accommodating services. For Kindle Paperwhite Users: The cloudLibrary team is always trying to engage Amazon to collaborate with us on cloudLibrary. This is an ongoing discussion. If you would like, we also encourage library users email kindle-feedback@amazon.com and request that Amazon allow compatibility with cloudLibrary. We do understand it may seem like one email won’t change anything, but we have hopes this will bring more attention to this request.
    by L DeJoseph on Jul 04, 2021
  19. As suggested in the article above, I did email kindle-feedback@amazon.com and received an automated reply stating that the email address does NOT accept incoming emails. So, that avenue does not work! Also, researching on this issue further in the Kindle forums, I came across this reply reproduced in its entirety: "evidently CloudLibrary uses apps. Kindles cannot run apps, but a Fire would work just fine for reading them. The price for the cheapest Fire is $49.99 and it might be even cheaper on Prime Day. Kindles are not Android or IOS devices and because of that they cannot run apps. It seems that the website prefers to go the app route rather than mobi files which Kindles can read." So, with the above technical limitation, it seems irresponsible by the library to suggest emailing Amazon on enabling support for cloudLibrary on Kindle!!
    by Raja K on Jul 04, 2021
  20. I, too, am very disappointed by your upcoming incompatibility with Kindle Paperwhite. I will just have to go elsewhere for my reading needs.
    by Sara on Jul 04, 2021
  21. I just purchased a new Kindle and would be very upset to feel that I am not able to use it. I think a decision that was made without polling the community of taxpayers is a BIG mistake and creates a hardship for many of us who are on fixed incomes. You should reconsider you actions, pol the community and then make a decision.
    by Joe D on Jul 04, 2021
  22. I am certain that a fair percentage of your readers are Kindle Paperwhite users. I am extremely disappointed that you would effectively cut us all off from your service.
    by Leon N on Jul 04, 2021
  23. I also am very disappointed that the cloud library is not compatible with my new waterproof kindle. Anyone living in Florida loves to be able to read in the sun, at the beach or just along the pool side. Please get this fixed for kindle users!
    by MJ on Jul 04, 2021
  24. I too, have a Kindle Paperwhite which I love. In fact it is my second after wearing out the first. I use Libby all the time. It is very disappointing that I will not be able to download e-books from the Library on my Paperwhite and it is so handy to have a few books loaded on it while traveling. It is too bad that you can’t figure out a way to solve this problem.
    by Elsbet on Jul 04, 2021
  25. I agree with most of the other commentators-this change to cloud library is a big disadvantage for Kindle users!!! I do NOT want to use my other platforms for reading. Reading on my phone or iPad not the same and I surely don’t want to buy a Fire. There is nothing like reading on the Paperwhite, it is designed to be only one thing, a READER and nothing comparers to it. Of all places the library should appreciate that.
    by Deborah West on Jul 05, 2021
  26. Kindle Paperwhite devices are extremely popular and are likely the best-selling e-reader device around. Choosing a service that doesn't allow Sarasota County residents to read on this device seems like a bit of a misstep. Please consider finding an option to allow library users to read on Kindle Paperwhite devices.
    by Eric on Jul 06, 2021
  27. Oh No!! I too am a Kindle Paperwhite reader! I am saddened by this news but it's understandable since county libraries are funded. This change will affect ALOT of Paperwhite patrons. Thank you for the advance notice and also the recommendation of Gutenberg.org. And also Thank You for all the previous years of "Good Reads"!!
    by Sandra T -Englewood on Jul 07, 2021
  28. Wow, I would have thought that the library wanted to encourage more usage, not less. Is the solution for Sarasota residents to check out paper books when reading outdoors and landfill our kindles?
    by Pedro on Aug 25, 2021
  29. Totally agree that this decision did not seem to include the library patrons who have been loyal to the Sarasota library over the years. I do have a Kindle Fire but it is NOT my preferred way to read. Much heavier than my lightweight non-glare Kindle. I hope there is enough public outcry to get this decision reversed!
    by Lana on Aug 30, 2021
  30. I am another longtime library user who enjoyed using his Paperwhite to read his library books. Very disappointed in the news that I will no longer be able to use it. The Paperwhite is ideal for reading, it's weight and visibility made a perfect choice for Florida reading. I cannot believe that research was done to determine your patrons preference in devices used.
    by Brian G. on Sep 07, 2021
  31. This is so disappointing that we won't be able to check out library ebooks on Kindle anymore! It is sad that this decision was made behind patrons' backs. Reading on a tablet is NOT the same as reading on an ereader! If funding is the issue, who do we contact about increasing funding? There is such a huge amount of tax money in this county. There is absolutely no excuse for underfunding our libraries!
    by Stephanie on Dec 21, 2021
  32. If Amazon is the problem, maybe we should stop using Amazon. Are there other affordable e-readers available that are compatible with CloudLibrary?
    by Stephanie on Dec 21, 2021
  33. I am very disappointed in moving away from the Libby platform. I much prefer reading on my kindle. I recognize why you would consider this from a financial decision but it doesn't feel like a patron friendly decision. At least for this patron.
    by Mike on Dec 22, 2021
  34. Hi Stephanie, thank you so much for your comment and for your support of our libraries! It means a lot that you would take the time to reach out about this! As you have probably read within the comments here, this was a difficult decision for us to make and was very much informed by the fact that having two separate platforms was not fiscally responsible and ultimately unsustainable. In the interest of maximizing our limited collection funding, cloudLibrary became the obvious best option, partially due to the large collection of ebook/eaudiobooks offering more than 270,000 items, and counting, available through a consortium. As for the question of other e-ink readers that support cloudLibrary, there are a couple options that I could find that use the Android OS and should be able to download the CL app: BOOX Poke3 (https://shop.boox.com/products/poke3) and others in the BOOX line; and the Boyue Likebook Mars (https://goodereader.com/blog/product/boyue-likebook-mars-octa-core-android-e-reader), as well as others in the Likebook line. Another brand of e-ink reader that seems to support Android OS is Tolino (https://mytolino.com/ereader-comparison/), but determining its compatibility with CL has been questionable. Additionally, there is the route of accessing cloudLibrary on your computer, downloading your selected books to be read offline, and then transferring them any EPUB-compatible e-reader through Adobe Digital Editions. This link (https://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/e-ink-web-patron/) from cloudLibrary offers instructions for that process. I hope this reply has been of some help to you, and please do not hesitate to reach out through chat, email, or phone if you require anything else! Best, Diego
    by Diego Hernandez-Calabria, Sarasota County Libraries on Dec 22, 2021
  35. I am a New Yorker and a patron, but live about 4 hours from the nearest NYPL, so being able to access library books on my Kindle has been one of my reading joys since 2015. Readers familiar with eInk know that it is a superior reading experience compared to the glow of a tablet or phone. I just updated to my third Kindle, loving it, and just discovered that NYPL will discontinue Kindle books soon. Such a shame. CloudLibrary won't accept my library log-in credentials. So disappointed.
    by Christina on Jan 25, 2022
  36. Adding my voice to the pro-Kindle comments. I’m sad that this decision was made. I read almost exclusively on Kindle PaperWhite because the screen is easier on my eyes than a traditional tablet or phone and because you don’t have to be connected to the internet to use it. I love supporting the library. As Kindle eBooks are the primary way I interface with the Sarasota Library, I feel like I will no longer have any reason to use it.
    by Lauren on Feb 23, 2022
  37. I'll echo comments from many others. Very disappointed that the Library selected a system that doesn't support regular Kindle. Did anyone ask how many or what % of users use Kindle for e-reading? There are many advantages to reading with a Kindle. And I suspect lots and lots of customers are losing a valuable avenue to reading.
    by Ed D on Feb 23, 2022
  38. With the Cloudlibrary decision, you just lost me as a Sarasota Library subscriber since I use the Kindle PaperWhite extensively. I am off to join for Manatee County Library who continues to use Overdrive.
    by Jack G on Feb 27, 2022
  39. Kobo is very similar to a Kindle, and is what I recently purchased to replace an older paperwhite. You can get books from the Cloud Library onto their e-books, but it is more complicated than just using Overdrive. One must first download the book onto a laptop or desktop computer, then transfer it over to your Kobo from the computer.
    by Ben Romano on May 17, 2022
  40. This was a TERRIBLE decision. My Kobo libra 2 has built in Overdrive support. Now that you have gotten rid of this, I can no longer access these books on my EREADER. Yes, not a tablet, not a phone, but a device specifically for reading. As a library, you literally just eliminated the best device for reading. How easily can I get a Manatee County card?
    by Robert on Feb 16, 2023
  41. Hi Robert - Thank you so much for taking a moment to offer your comment. I'd like to let you know that your Kobo will work with cloudLibrary (I have one, too!). Here's a link to Rakuten/Kobo's help page that walks through how to get those ebooks on your Kobo: https://help.kobo.com/hc/en-us/articles/4477393943575-About-cloudLibrary Please feel free to contact us again, anytime! We appreciate your service very much.
    by Cathay on Feb 17, 2023
  42. I have read through all these comments and sounds like it came down to money and not the best for the public when you did away with Overdrive and the ability to download to Kindle PaperWhite devices. We live where the sunshines and you got rid of the only device to read in the sun. I guess common sense is not common. :-)
    by Jim on Apr 24, 2023

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