I use Libby for borrowed books - I think our library only uses Libby.
So, for me., borrowed books are on different app to bought books.
I have to belong to any library in South Australia to access library books via the state’s library.
I can borrow up to 10 books at a time and have a choice of 1 or 3 week borrowing period - after that book just disappears from my tablet.
(although you can return it earlier if you have finished it)
Libby is the one widely used here in the states. Our library uses it, and the feedback is all positive. So easy for those who can’t get to a library, convenient and easy to us. Hardly anyone uses/buys a separate reader anymore. So many online sites give access to classics/new novels.
As for myself, I much prefer to handle hard copy books when enjoying my peaceful reading time…perhaps it’s because I worked in a library for over ten years. Home away from home…loved every single minute. 
So what actually happens to an e-book after returning it to a library? Is it still on your phone/reader but somehow rendered useless, and therefore best deleted, or does it really get emailed back?
The DRM means that it cannot be read even though the file is still there.
The DRM also means that the file can only be read on that one machine - it has to have the Adobe program for downloading which encodes it for that particular machine. In fact one of the reasons for removing the DRM is because if you download it onto your desktop the file cannot be transferred/read on your eReader
Cheers, so best deleted? I have no concept of file size and that kind of thing, is it likely to use up space on the drive?
Probably but you can get a program like eepubee and remove the stupid DRM. I do it everytime.
ebook files are pretty small, for example .epub is just a zipped HTML file.
OK, I haven’t returned the book yet, I’ll see what happens when I do.
When I return a book either manually or it automatically gets returned at end of borrowing period, it just disappears from the reading part of the Libby app.
I can still see in history (called Timeline on Libby) a record of books I have borrowed - but cannot open them to read them.
If the books you read are just text, the Kindles are excellent! If they rely on diagrams or pictures… you may want to consider an iPad (especially if you also need to click on links/look things up etc). If you want the best screen, consider an iPad Pro.
There are other pros n cons. Kindle battery lasts ages and are better in direct sunlight/outdoors. iPads can be used for more than just reading… etc.
I’m quite happy with my phone and a library book at the moment. But will come back to this thread if I change my mind.
I read using an Ipad, but you can’t order any books using the app, they are only available if you have a kindle to start with.
Fully agree, plus the kindle is lighter than most tablet computers - so easier to hold in a reading position. The battery life is a real benefit too.
I remember when me and the other half would be packing our car boot for a couple of weeks holiday. We would pack at least 15 books between the two of us. Now there is an entire library on one small device. Plus, as we both use kindle (paperwhite for me, app on i-pad for her) we can share each other’s books.
But I dislike Bezos and Amazon. I’m using their product under sufferance. How can a forty or fifty year old book cost £4? The long dead author’s family will get a few pence, the distribution cost is less than pennies. Why doesn’t a book like that have a price more like 50 pence? Rip off.
Let us know what you end up with if you get one 
You can… just through the normal Amazon site? Plus you don’t have to buy from Amazon, most non-DRM files will work and even the DRM ones may have an app. The standard format now is ePub (that’s wha all my books are in, not sure what amazon uses now tho but they do have a Kindle app).
Yeah I love how light they are and the battery life. Definitely the best for non-technical reading or books with no images/graphics/code etc
There can also be strange anomalies in copyright for example George Orwell was available as free epub books in Australia while still in copyright in the UK
The Gutenburg Project is a great resource for free ebooks as are some Unis
No that isnt correct. When I had an ipad I could buy books without having a kindle to start with.
Just like I can now on a Samsung tablet.
I have tried several times to buy books with an ipad and it really won’t have it. I have to use my kindle to purchase and then it appears in my kindle library on my ipad. Which means there is either something weird going on with my with my app or there may have been a policy change sometime at Amazon.
Graham , I’m not sure why you have that problem - i never did on my ipad, admittedly few years ago since i had one, i see post upthread saying same.
No problems whatsoever on my current tablet, a Samsung.
For no other reason than I can, I took some pics of my ereader today. Sony no longer make or sell them so it is an historic artifact.
I bought it when they were having a clearance sale of them and it came with a free replaceable back and cover which included a little light for reading in the dark (it has no backlight)
There you go, it is much used, the battery seems to last for ever but I have hardly used the little light.
the kindle paperwhite is a good option. you can scale the text and its back lit allowing you to read in the dark. not sure if its water resistant but i do know they do do one like that so you can read in the bath without being concerned about it tho you might need to trade the backlight for waterproofing
