Borrowing Ebooks: Howard County Library's Lending Services

The Howard County Library System (HCLS) offers a wide range of services to its patrons, including access to computers, quiet study rooms, and a vast collection of books and other materials. One of the most popular services provided by the HCLS is its extensive selection of electronic resources, including eBooks and eAudiobooks. With a library card, members can borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks instantly, choosing from a collection of over 50,000 free titles that can be downloaded to a device or read online. This service is especially convenient for Maryland residents, who can apply for a temporary library card to access the HCLS's eContent, which includes not only eBooks but also streaming services, online classes, and digital subscriptions to newspapers and magazines.

Howard County Library System loans ebooks, e-audiobooks, and e-magazines

The Howard County Library System (HCLS) provides a wide range of eContent, including eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines. Maryland residents can apply online for a temporary library card to access this content. Alternatively, you can visit the library in person without a library card to read books or magazines, conduct research, or attend a class.

HCLS is a member of the SAILOR Consortium and the Maryland State OverDrive Consortium (MSOC). Some of its eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines are part of Maryland's Digital Library. The MSOC establishes lending policies for OverDrive/Libby materials, while the Maryland State Library Resource Center determines policies for the usage of SAILOR eMaterials. HCLS customers can access current borrowing limits on the HCLS website.

HCLS offers more than 50,000 free eBooks, including classic titles in epub and Kindle formats. You can download eBooks to your device or read them online. You can also use OverDrive's website to send eBooks to your Kindle or use the Libby mobile app to borrow and read instantly on your mobile device. The borrowing limit is 10 titles at a time, and you can place up to 10 holds. The lending period is up to 21 days, and there are no automatic renewals.

In addition to eBooks, HCLS provides access to eAudiobooks, streaming TV, movies, music, online classes, and digital subscriptions to newspapers and magazines. You can also borrow physical items from any HCLS branch with your library card. The library offers quiet study rooms, computers for public use, and high-speed internet access at its branches.

Maryland residents can apply for a temporary library card to access ebooks

To obtain a temporary library card, Maryland residents can apply online by providing their photo ID and proof of address. This will grant them immediate access to the library's digital collections. For those under the age of 13, a parent or legal guardian must sign the card application and agree to be responsible for any charges incurred for overdue, lost, or damaged materials.

The HCLS is a member of the SAILOR Consortium and the Maryland State OverDrive Consortium (MSOC), which provides access to additional ebooks and digital resources. The library also offers physical materials that can be borrowed from any HCLS branch. All materials, except for certain items like ebooks, audiobooks, and games, will automatically renew three days before their due date if there are no pending reservations from other borrowers.

Additionally, the HCLS provides various other services and facilities, such as quiet study rooms, public computers, meeting rooms, and free high-speed internet access. The library also supplements homework and research assistance, especially in collaboration with school media centers. Overall, the Howard County Library System serves as a valuable educational resource for the community.

The library is part of the Maryland State OverDrive Consortium (MSOC)

The Howard County Library System (HCLS) is a member of the Maryland State OverDrive Consortium (MSOC). The HCLS offers a wide range of eContent, including eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming TV, movies, music, online classes, and digital subscriptions to newspapers and magazines. Maryland residents can apply online for a temporary library card to access these services.

The HCLS is a world-class organization that provides free, convenient access to an extensive selection of electronic content. In addition to eBooks and eAudiobooks, the HCLS offers computers for public use, quiet study rooms, and free online classes. The HCLS also supplements homework and research assistance, working closely with local schools.

The MSOC establishes lending policies for OverDrive/Libby materials. The HCLS website provides information on current borrowing limits, and customers can access their accounts by phone or online using their library card barcode number. The HCLS is also a member of the SAILOR Consortium, with policies for the usage of SAILOR eMaterials determined by the Maryland State Library Resource Center.

The HCLS offers a digital library of more than 50,000 free eBooks, including classic titles in epub and Kindle formats. Users can download eBooks to their device or read them online. The Libby mobile app also allows users to borrow and read instantly on their mobile devices. The HCLS provides a borrowing limit of 10 titles at a time, with a lending period of up to 21 days.

The library's website provides access to ebooks, e-audiobooks, and e-magazines

The Howard County Library System (HCLS) provides access to a wide range of e-content, including ebooks, e-audiobooks, and e-magazines. Maryland residents can apply online for a temporary library card to access these materials. Alternatively, you can visit the library in person without a library card to read books or magazines, conduct research, or attend a class.

The HCLS website offers a simple keyword search function, as well as an advanced search option for more specific queries. The site also provides access to online classes, streaming services for TV, movies, and music, and digital subscriptions to newspapers and magazines.

HCLS is a member of the SAILOR Consortium and the Maryland State OverDrive Consortium (MSOC). Some of its ebooks, e-audiobooks, and e-magazines are part of Maryland's Digital Library. The MSOC establishes lending policies for OverDrive/Libby materials, while policies for SAILOR eMaterials are determined by the Maryland State Library Resource Center.

HCLS customers can access the current borrowing limits on the HCLS website. Ebooks and e-audiobooks can be borrowed for one or two weeks, with a borrowing limit of 10 titles at a time and up to 10 holds. The lending period is up to 21 days.

The library's collection includes over 50,000 free ebooks

The Howard County Library System (HCLS) offers a wide range of resources to its patrons, including a collection of over 50,000 free ebooks. This extensive digital library includes classic titles in epub and Kindle formats, as well as graphic novels, enhanced novels, educator resources, and audiobooks. Patrons can access this diverse collection by downloading ebooks to their devices or reading them online.

The HCLS is committed to providing convenient access to knowledge and education for all ages. In addition to its impressive collection of ebooks, the library offers audiobooks, research materials, magazines, and streaming services for movies, television shows, and music. HCLS also provides free wireless printing, online classes, and quiet study rooms, creating a comprehensive learning environment for its patrons.

The library's online resources are easily accessible through the HCLS website and mobile apps like Libby. Patrons can borrow ebooks and other digital content using their library card, which can be obtained by Maryland residents online or in person. This card provides access not only to digital resources but also to physical items available for loan across HCLS branches.

The HCLS is part of the SAILOR Consortium and the Maryland State OverDrive Consortium (MSOC), allowing it to offer a diverse range of ebooks and other digital content. The library also utilizes the Marina system, enabling patrons to request items from other Maryland public libraries if HCLS does not own a specific title. This interlibrary loan service ensures that patrons have access to an even wider range of resources beyond the HCLS collection.

The Howard County Library System strives to make its collection as accessible as possible, offering a variety of formats and providing multiple avenues for patrons to obtain the resources they need. With its vast array of ebooks, audiobooks, and other educational materials, the HCLS is dedicated to fostering a love of reading and learning in the community it serves.

Frequently asked questions