Overdrive on Nook Tablet

[mcsp00]

I wantd to take this moment to express by sincere disappointment in Barnes and Noble with an extremely poor effort to engage the Library community.

B&N representatives have been aggressively pushing Libraries to carry information about the Nook Color, Reader, and Tablet even. Our local cooperative has a deal for cooperative members to purchase Nooks at a discount...

My issues lies thusly: If you're going to aggressively pursue the Library market (meaning Librarians!!!) you ahve to aggressively and properly support Library SERVICES... namely, Library specific ebook sharing services like Overdrive.

The Nook Tablet DOES NOT SUPPORT OVERDRIVE directly. Despite being a tablet, you still have to connect it to a computer to retrieve a library book. This is a HUGE oversight and MUST be corrected as soon as possible. It IS wholly and completely correctable. Witness the Kindle Fire, which can handle ebook download and read from the Kindle Fire itself WITHOUT EVER connecting to a computer.

They're running the same OS (Android 2.3). The apps are there. B&N has simply, for whatever illogical reason, chosen NOT to provide access to this.

"Rooting" the device is not an acceptable solution because your basic Library user does not have the necessary hacker skills to do this. You CAN make the Nook tablet simple! YES, YOU CAN.

Please correct this as soon as possible. You are going to lose a massive market if you do not.

[TnTexas]

The Overdrive app can be installed on the Tablet without rooting it - you just have to activate its sideloading capabilities. I agree with your main point though. It would be nice if the app could be downloaded directly from B&N's app store.

[TigerBlak_]

Barnes & Noble appears to be working with Overdrive to bring the app to their store.  Read here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204190504577040112679859948.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

I think the Library community should realize that BN is doing what it can to bring new things to the Nook family of apps.  Also, if you had googled nook and library download, you would have run across this article pretty quickly. 

[deemure]

The original post is somewhat laughable on its face, considering that B&N is one of a few ereader makers and retailers that have stuck with library lending, even though publishers tend to look at book lending as a loss.  Understand this-Amazon was very very late to the library lending "game".  They've had kindles out there for a much longer period of time, have made a lot of money off of them, and only decided on library lending long after they saw how popular it was with nook owners.

Kindles have been out since 2007 with no lending of any kind in sight, nooks have had library lending ever since their release in 2009.  Sony has had ereaders out there for even longer and with library lending.  It's 2011 and finally Kindles have library lending and the OP demands B&N do something now.  Where in God's green earth were you prior to 2 weeks ago?

Users on the kindle discussion boards in fact used to laugh at B&N for library lending and ridiculed nook owners as something akin to freeloaders for it.  This is similar to the way they ridiculed the NOOKcolor for color and backlighting.

It isn't that B&N chose not to allow overdrive.  Eink devices couldn't really use its media console.  It is also because a perfectly workable solution for library lending for epubs and pdfs already existed and was in use by Sony and others through ADE which was partnered with overdrive to offer content this way.  And libraries are being used by people outside of their residency zones-so people are often paying for library cards.  People using this go directly to the library.  Overdrive is a business.  I have a relative working now with them to create corporate library lending.  They aren't cheap.

Amazon could not utilize ADE, didn't seem to want to anyway.  They were even very late to the lend a friend program, but since they have decided to allow library and friend lending, publishers have now reacted.  There are fewer books with lend me capabilities, some publishers are trying to change the efffective lifetime of library lending licenses, and some other publishers are stopping lending of any kind and negotiating ways to enhance "security", which really means they want more money for allowing it.

Basically, using overdrive the way the Fire does is something rather new.  It does not seem to rely on the media console at all.  And it appears B&N is working to bring it to nooks.

[mcsp00]

Thanks for the responses. I am very glad to know that B&N is looking into getting Overdrive onto the Nook Tablet. That was my sole and solitary point of contention. The tablet interface and hardware for the Nook Tablet are excellent (but the Nook Tablet market is a bit threadbare... but I expect that will be fixed soon).

I recognize entirely that B&N was to the Library party before Amazon was. I appluad them greatly for this. However, it also needs to be acknowledged that the Kindle Fire's functionality with Overdrive is immensely friendlier to library patrons than the old style employed by the Nook Tablet. The Kindle model simplifies the process greatly by doing away with USB cables, ADE, and other software that serves to confuse patrons.

Many patrons have used the Nook, Nook Color, Sony Reader, Kobo Reader and other devices and found the process of bouncing through ADE to be less than optimal and often times too confusing to become a daily use device. Sure, it's "simple" to those of us who use these things daily, but Kindle Fire (the direct competitor to the Nook Tablet) simply "works" easier FOR LIBRARY EBOOKS AND AUDIOBOOKS.

I maintain that to be serious in the tablet market (at least from the point of view of this Library technology wonk), the Nook Tablet needs to be able to operate in similar fashion: use the Nook Tablet browser, select material, then move/download material to the Nook Tablet and it works. That's the "magic" work flow for Library patrons, and I'm sure we can all agree that simpler is better for all involved!

[deemure]

There's no disagreement here that this is very desirable, but if in fact certain publishers do begin en masse to abandon ebook lending, it may all be for naught.  There's a lot more that may be behind the scenes as well-Overdrive may also have to be working with B&N to make this happen.  Sometimes, it also means making sure no violations of another company's owned content or trademarks or any other infringements occur.

I just took exception to the tone of the post which was apparently not meant to seem like an ultimatum.  For the most part, Amazon has been playing catch up with B&N and now Amazon has some things (the cloud and library lending) which may seem at first very compelling, but the implementation may need some tweaking.  Library lending is a natural.  The way their cloud works, maybe not so much.

[laurieb52]

I've sideloaded overdrive onto the NT, and can access the books fine, but cannot access any of the reading features that should be there (font changing, contents, brightness, etc.), and the default font is way too small. Has anyone else come across this issue?

May have to go back to sideloading through adobe editions.

[toothfairie]

How do you "sideload" overdrive onto the Nook? I love my tablet so far (i've only had it 4 days), but having to hook it to my computer to get my library books makes me seriously consider switching to a Kindle. I'm still debating on returning it before my 14 days are up, however if there's a way around it that would be great! (especially if someone knows how to access the reading features that seem to be a problem?)

Thanks!

[TnTexas]

toothfairie: How do you "sideload" overdrive onto the Nook? I love my tablet so far (i've only had it 4 days), but having to hook it to my computer to get my library books makes me seriously consider switching to a Kindle. I'm still debating on returning it before my 14 days are up, however if there's a way around it that would be great! (especially if someone knows how to access the reading features that seem to be a problem?)

Thanks!

I have the Overdrive app on my phone. I made a copy of the file, emailed it to my gmail account, accessed my gmail account through the web browser and installed it on my Tablet from there. 

[Nom-de-Nook]

As a voice of dissent, I would prefer BN not have the Overdrive app.  There really is no reason for it.  Now that Overdrive has worked out with the libraries and Amazon for Amazon to deliver the books through its "lending" system, there should be no need for BN to have the app.  They should arrange with Overdrive for the same delivery system as Amazon.  Then on the NC/NT you would just browse to the library, get the book, and BN would deliver it to your device.  This way, BN can also support wireless library delivery for the e-ink devices also (which is a huge market for them, and Amazon supports this for the e-ink).  As has been noted, you still would need a tab or PC to get the book from the library for the e-ink but not to get the book onto the nook.

[TnTexas]

Nom-de-Nook: As a voice of dissent, I would prefer BN not have the Overdrive app.  There really is no reason for it.  Now that Overdrive has worked out with the libraries and Amazon for Amazon to deliver the books through its "lending" system, there should be no need for BN to have the app.  They should arrange with Overdrive for the same delivery system as Amazon.  Then on the NC/NT you would just browse to the library, get the book, and BN would deliver it to your device.  This way, BN can also support wireless library delivery for the e-ink devices also (which is a huge market for them, and Amazon supports this for the e-ink).  As has been noted, you still would need a tab or PC to get the book from the library for the e-ink but not to get the book onto the nook.

I think this would be an excellent set-up if BN could work it out. I'm not sure they can though. I suspect the only reason Amazon was able to do it is because the Kindles don't support the usual e-book format whereas the Nooks do.

[Tom51]

---

toothfairie wrote:

How do you "sideload" overdrive onto the Nook? I love my tablet so far (i've only had it 4 days), but having to hook it to my computer to get my library books makes me seriously consider switching to a Kindle. I'm still debating on returning it before my 14 days are up, however if there's a way around it that would be great! (especially if someone knows how to access the reading features that seem to be a problem?)

Thanks!

---

I have downloaded library books, sideloaded to my Nook Tablet and read from it without any issue.  This is the instruction from Houston Public Library for Nooks.  Your library may offer the similar instructions.

http://help.overdrive.com/MyHelpMH25

After you download a book from your library to your PC, you can connect the Nook Tablet by USB to your PC and copy the book to your Nook Tablet.  If you use Calibre, like I do, you can add the book to your Calibre's library and then send the book to your Nook Tablet.

The whole process is quite simple and straight forward.

[marytattoo]

ok, today i downloaded Overdrive to my Nook Tablet.  This is what happened. 

1.  i went to the public library via the Nook browser, and went to the e-media collection, just as i do with my laptop.  i then downloaded Overdrive for Android onto the Nook Tablet.

2.  I was not able to download an app.  (WHY?)

3.  i then checked out an e-book from the library and downloaded it.  when prompted, i opened the book when it popped up on the Overdrive page. 

4.  BUT.  When i exited that page, i could not find "overdrive" anywhere.  I went to My Files and on the SD card found the book.  when i tapped on the book, i was prompted to "enter the name on my credit card used to purchase the e-book and the card #.  So of course i wasn't able to do that.

5.  i went back to the library via the Nook Tablet browser, and hit "download" again on the book title and was again taken to an Overdrive page and could open the book from there.

6.  The only way i can open the book is to go to the library and click download to read it.

i called Nook Support and was told that THE ONLY WAY TO BORROW A BOOK FROM THE LIBRARY was sideload.  i said that isn't true, because i'd downloaded a book without even booting up my laptop.  The young man said that i was wrong.Huh? i can get to the book on my Tablet, taking a long way, and didn't sideload it -- and he tells me I AM WRONG?  I asked to speak to his manager and the kid (i mean "young man") put me on hold and didn't come back.

so, NOOK, i want to know:  how do i get to the book without having to connect to the internet?  i can download directly to my Samsung Galaxy tablet and then access the book without the internet.  why can i download directly to my Nook Tablet but am unable to find the book on the device without 1) going onto the internet to the library website each time i want to begin reading again, and/or 2) going into My Files/SD Card/Downloads, tapping on the downloaded book title, but getting the prompt to enter my name and credit card # to "unlock" the book?

[SelenaJean]

I bought a nook tablet a few days ago and have just figured out I cannot directly download library books to my tablet.  I read the above article but the person I just spoke with in customer service stated that direct downloading was not an option being worked on.  I pretty much only read library books and would not have bought the nook knowing I'd have to hook it up to my pc every time I wanted a library book.  It actually downloads the book but will not open them.  It did download/open an out of copy right book from the library no problem though.  Between this and the lack of apps I'm starting to think I made a mistake getting the nook tablet. Although the kindle fire is not as nice I'm thinking of switching. 

[Nom-de-Nook]

---

SelenaJean wrote:

I bought a nook tablet a few days ago and have just figured out I cannot directly download library books to my tablet.  I read the above article but the person I just spoke with in customer service stated that direct downloading was not an option being worked on.  I pretty much only read library books and would not have bought the nook knowing I'd have to hook it up to my pc every time I wanted a library book.  It actually downloads the book but will not open them.  It did download/open an out of copy right book from the library no problem though.  Between this and the lack of apps I'm starting to think I made a mistake getting the nook tablet. Although the kindle fire is not as nice I'm thinking of switching. 

---

I can guarantee you that the person you talked to who told you that wireless connectivity to the library isn't being worked on doesn't know what they are talking about.  I am not saying that they are working on it but that there is no chance you talked to anyone at BN in a position to know if they were or weren't.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of BN employees who say all sorts of things that are wrong rather than just saying "I don't know".

Obviously, that doesn't help you make a decision on whether or not to keep the nook

[Adgurl]

Can you explain how to SIDELOAD the Overdrive app? Thanks!

[logdog]

---

SelenaJean wrote:

I bought a nook tablet a few days ago and have just figured out I cannot directly download library books to my tablet.  I read the above article but the person I just spoke with in customer service stated that direct downloading was not an option being worked on.  I pretty much only read library books and would not have bought the nook knowing I'd have to hook it up to my pc every time I wanted a library book.  It actually downloads the book but will not open them.  It did download/open an out of copy right book from the library no problem though.  Between this and the lack of apps I'm starting to think I made a mistake getting the nook tablet. Although the kindle fire is not as nice I'm thinking of switching. 

---

If you buy an N2A card or something similar that will let you run Android on your Nook, you can directly download and read library books.

[grannynanny64]

Sad to say but a few friends of mine our thinking about buying an ereader or 7 inch tablet and are interested in public library books. I have the first generation ereader and the Nook Color but Barnes and Noble dropped the ball in their lack of support for library books. I am now recommending that they buy a kindle. The library books can be downloaded directly without the sideloading of the PC. I have the new iPad and the Overdrive app which lets me get my library book in seconds. Barnes and Noble has lost my support for this lack of public library ebooks alone. They will lose in the race for the best 7 inch tablet and e ink reader even though I believe that their products are of better quality than the Kindles. Come on Barnes an Nobel think of what you are losing do you want to go the same way as Borders.

[flyingtoastr Scribe]

---

grannynanny64 wrote:
The library books can be downloaded directly without the sideloading of the PC.

---

Sure, but you still have to do the loan on a computer, not the Kindle. The only difference between the two is ADE.

[bklvr896]

---

grannynanny64 wrote:
Sad to say but a few friends of mine our thinking about buying an ereader or 7 inch tablet and are interested in public library books. I have the first generation ereader and the Nook Color but Barnes and Noble dropped the ball in their lack of support for library books. I am now recommending that they buy a kindle. The library books can be downloaded directly without the sideloading of the PC. I have the new iPad and the Overdrive app which lets me get my library book in seconds. Barnes and Noble has lost my support for this lack of public library ebooks alone. They will lose in the race for the best 7 inch tablet and e ink reader even though I believe that their products are of better quality than the Kindles. Come on Barnes an Nobel think of what you are losing do you want to go the same way as Borders.

---

One of the publishers, I believe it's Penguin, stopped the wireless download of its books from the library.  They want to put more "friction" in library borrowing.  MacMillan and S&S don't sell their eBooks to the libraries at all, and one other, limits the lending to 26 lends before the library has to buy a new license.

Last year, B&N did state they were working on wireless download from the libraries.  I have no idea what the status of that is, but I do wonder, with the latest move by Penguin to not allow wireless downloading for Kindles, if the other publishers are watching and will follow suit.  The publishers don't particularly like library lending for eBooks, and have stated before, they think it's too easy and want it to be more work on our part to actually get the book from the library.

Guess we'll see how this all plays out in the future.  Be happy with whatever device you decide to go with.