Non-resident Library Cards, year 3

Every year I do a little research on which libraries across the US will give you an affordable non-resident card that you can obtain without visiting that specific library.  For many years I used the Free Library of Philadelphia, and I will tell you it has been by far my favorite for choices of books and how they not only had a large catalog, but they would also let you request items and often they would purchase it.  I am sad to report that today I discovered they no longer let you buy a non-resident card.

Last year I got a card at the Brooklyn Public Library.  I switched because BPL had many Hollywood books that I had been wanting to read for quite some time.  They have some very unique, very old titles that I had never seen before.  For the last year, I have read every Hollywood book that interested me so I was going to switch back to FLP (Free Library of Philadelphia).


Fairfax County Public Library (Virginia)--you can apply for a card online and it is $27 a year.  Here is the link to their Overdrive site if you would like to look at the catalog before you commit.


Houston Public Library-their The information listed is not clear if you have to show up in person or not to finalize the card, so I would check before you purchase.  $40 per year for a non-resident card.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library-It looks to me that you can do this one solely online and get instant access.  The fee is based on the current tax base and so right now it is $45 per year.

Enoch Pratt Free Library-This one seems like it could be a day or two delay because you have to download the application and email it to the library.  The current fee for non-residents is $50




There are a few more libraries with non-resident cards, but they were all over $50 which is my limit (Austin Public Library and Orange County Public Library.  After looking at the catalogs of the libraries that I found that will do non-resident, BPL has by far the most selections.  I will be renewing that card.

Updated info on Nonresident Library cards

I have had a nonresident library card to the Free Library of Philadelphia for 3 years.  Last week I got an email that my card expires in 30 days and I need to renew if I didn't want an interruption to my service.  We have had a major lifestyle change in the last 6 months and paying for a library card seems impractical, but I felt it was necessary due to the number of books that I read and the titles at my disposal locally.  I have had 3 library cards for years and still can't get all the titles I want.  I will say I did not buy any books last year.  Most of that is due to the lifestyle change, but it still stands true.  I did figure up what I saved in using my library cards.

FLP (Free Library of Philly)--$350
Campbell County Public Library---$187
McCracken County Public Library (my local card)--$437

I came by the dollar amounts by looking the titles up on Amazon for the Kindle price if I read a Kindle book and ebook price if it was an epub. 

I feel that it is worth the money, but decided that maybe I should be more frugal so I set about trying to find a cheaper card or a card that offers even more titles. I first did a Google search and all of the information in blogs/articles was from the beginning of 2018 or before.  I needed updated info. So I began the search by looking up nonresident cards for big cities all around the USA.  I discovered that a few libraries will give you one but you must show up to get the card.  Not really what I had in mind.  A few of them had low fees but the catalog didn't include books I liked to read.  I read mostly historical fiction, books on Hollywood stars and Presidents/US history.  You may have a completely different taste selection so maybe check out the overdrive for other libraries.  The information below was obtained by visiting the library websites.


Cards you can get but need to show up in person:
Detroit Public Library
Portland Public Library
Sacramento Public Library (can get online now, but expires in 14 days without you coming into a branch with ID)
San Francisco Public Library
Los Angles Public Library
The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton Co
Lexington Public Library (for KY nonresidents)
Huntsville-Madison Co Public Library ($20 per year)
Carnegie Public Library-Pittsburgh
Willmington (Delaware) Public Library
Warren County-Kentucky (free)
Hawaii State Public Library (can renew for 5 years)

Nonresident cards available not for digital content (Physical content only):
Hennepin Co Public Library (Minneapolis)
Nashville Public Library

Not enough info on the website:
San Diego Public Library (they say it is $32 a year, but don't tell you how to get one)
Dallas Public Library ($250 for unlimited books per year but doesn't tell how to get it)
Columbus Public Library
Durham Co Public Library
Boise Public Library

No mention of a nonresident card:
Denver Public Library
Las Vegas Public Library
Salt Lake City Public Library
Memphis/Shelby Co Public Library
Indianapolis Public Library
Des Moines Public Library
Atlanta-Fulton Co Public Library
Seattle Public Library
Louisville Public Library (has one listed but only for certain KY counties $25 per year)

Not available if you don't live in that state:
Phoenix Public Library
St Louis Public Library
Chicago Public Library
Cleveland Public Library
District of Columbia Public Library
NYC Public Library

Places that offer a card and you can get it online:
Austin Public Library ($125 per year)
Houston Public Library ($40 per year) I wasn't pleased with Overdrive selections
Charlotte Public Library  ($45 per year--$35 for Senior Citizens)
Free Library of Philadelphia ($50 per year)
Brooklyn Public Library ($50 per year)
Orange County Public Library ($125 per year)

Illinois nonresident cards are all listed here and range in price. I have not investigated how to obtain the card because the fees were kind of high.

This one doesn't say who can't get a free digital one, but I have a digital-only card at the Campbell County KY.  It is a great card and like I said, it is free.

Martin's Hollywood Journey

The Golden Age of Hollywood invokes images of sophisticated movie stars living a life of decadence and excess.  My mind pictures movie stars emerging from the latest automobiles and decked in furs and diamonds just to go to Schwab's.  This is a time of outrageous living created by this new job market.
 I am fascinated by old Hollywood and many times I have typed in "golden age of Hollywood" in my library's book search box in order to find an interesting read.  It was during one of these searches that I came across an author's name...Martin Turnbull.  I had never heard of him and my library didn't have a book written by him but Amazon told me that he had a book called the "Garden on Sunset".  Martin actually offered the digital book for free, so you know I got it.

The story is about three up and comers, Marcus Adler-a potential screenwriter, Kathryn Massey-who dreams of being a newspaper reporter and Gwendolyn Brick-a woman that longs to be a movie actress. It follows their Hollywood dreams and adventures.  Along the journey, the reader gets to meet HUGE stars.  Some in their decline, some in their heyday and a few in places where they didn't want to be caught.  Clark Gable, Rudy Valentino, Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall,  F Scott Fitzgerald, and HG Wells (there are so many more).

I recommend this Garden of Allah series for anyone that loves the Hollywood set and forgotten movie stars.  The series is now complete so start the first one, read straight through and say "wow, that was fantastic".

I want you to check out his website where as of today you can get the first two books in the series for free.  You might as well buy all of the others because you will be hooked.

I have no time to read

I have no time to read, ugg, I used to say this and I hated it.  There has to be a way to better manage my time. I started doing many things in my life to "get things done" and while I am always busy, I feel I maximize the time to the best of my ability (for now at least--it is ever changing).

Before I tell you how I cram time in for reading you need to know that I have a strict schedule I follow for household chores and unless there is emergency cleaning to do, it helps carve out more reading time.  I have covered my weekly cleaning schedule here if you are interested.

I do the same thing every single day because I am one of those people that do better with a routine.  My daily schedule allows more reading time because my goal is 100 pages a day and I achieve it almost every day.

Mornings: I get up and brush my teeth and drink water and do at least 2 miles.  After I am done with that I settle down with my breakfast, coffee, and a book. I often have Law & Order or Dateline on in the background. I read for almost an hour then spend 20 minutes getting ready for work.  This is DEDICATED reading time and whether I go to work or not that day, I eat breakfast and read...7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Evenings: I read every night before I fall asleep.  There have been evenings when I only get about 10 pages completed and others where I stay up way too late, but I read.


I mainly read on my Kindle Voyage so it goes wherever I go. I can sneak in reading at the spur of the moment, such as:
1. While stuck in traffic on the interstate
2. While soaking in a bath or hot tub
3. While cooking dinner
4. While walking my miles indoors
5. While waiting on hold on the phone
6. When I eat lunch alone at work
7. When I eat supper/dinner alone at home
8. Anytime I am waiting on something or someone
9. I can also read while ironing, drying my hair, waiting for the concert or ballgame to start,  watching tv, folding laundry and brushing my teeth.


Tips to help you maximize reading time:
1. Start with a goal you want to achieve, say reading for 10 minutes a day or 20 pages a day.  Maybe choose a short book to give you a great sense of satisfaction that you completed the book in a week!

2. If you don't like the book don't be afraid to say, "you are not worth my time" and put it away.  My rule is if the book doesn't grab me in about 50 pages, I am done.

3. Maybe keep a list of the books you finish.  I find I get a great sense of satisfaction to see that list grow, and if you like to complete goals then this may work to give you more time to read.

4.  Along the goal lines, maybe join a reading challenge. I do lists to explore other genres of books because I am mainly going to read historical fiction, history or biographies if I don't do a list challenge.  PopSugar is my favorite of all time and I do it every year.

You can find me on Goodreads at www.goodreads.com/michellechampion

Hoopla and other digital resources for free books

I am back to talk to you about Hoopla, and other digital resources to get free books to read.

Hoopla:
I have been using Hoopla for a few years with my FLP (Free Library of Philadelphia) card, and I was super pumped when my local library got it.  I switched my account over to McLIb (McCracken County Public Library) and saw that I got two more checkouts per month than I did with FLP.  I got four with the FLP and now got six, and I use them all.

Hoopla offers audio books, digital titles, and music (maybe more this is just what I use).  You can check titles out RIGHT NOW with no wait!! YES, I said "NO WAIT".

You can access Hoopla in many ways:
1. Hoopla digital in google search
2. The Hoopla app
3.  Going to your local library website and look for their digital downloads sections and look for Hoopla---I recommend this one for the first time, that way if your library offers any tips or tricks you can get them before you proceed.

You will have to make an account so do that now.  Don't forget you will need your library card number (and pin, if applicable).  You will also need the name of your library branch (you cannot access this without a library card).

Once you get all signed in you are ready to go.

Hoopla has a super friendly interface so I won't describe that too much (but if you have questions, just ask).  Type in the name of the book/audio/music you want and hit "borrow", and then you can hit "play" and listen.   On the app, it is just as easy to check out and play titles. The only difference is on the mobile app you have the option to download the music/book/audio to listen or read offline (this will save data for you).

I am going to encourage you to visit the "Help" section of the Hoopla to see the devices that you can use (like Alexa, Apple Tv), one thing you can't do is use your Kindle (a dedicated Kindle reader-you can use a Kindle Fire where you can download the Hoopla app).  

Other Digital ways to get books from a library--see if your library offers them

There are many others, these are just the ones I know about because of my library cards

1.  BookFlix-a great resources for digital kids books

2.  Freading-I do use this one a bit

3. RB Digital-my third favorite place to get titles

There are a couple of other resources just on the internet (no library card required), but I am all about using that library card so I won't spend much time here.

1. Project Gutenberg- Public domain titles, there are some gems, but you have to search

2. archive.org-where I download old radio shows to listen to at work or in the car

Overdrive with your library card

I have many folks asking about my digital library card usage so I thought I would talk a little about that today.  There are a few things you need and you can be on your way to borrowing books for FREE from your library's collection (you can also get a non-resident card to certain libraries in the USA, see this post for more on that https://michellechampion.blogspot.com/2018/07/the-digital-library.html). 

1. A library card that offers digital titles and your card number (with a pin if applicable)
2. A device where you can read or listen to your digital titles (phone, tablet, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, etc....)
3. Access to the internet

Now that we have all of that, let's do this. 

 Today I will talk about Overdrive because it is what I use most often.  My local library card also offers Freading and Hoopla, I can cover those on another day. 

I would start with your library's website and look for some link that says something about digital titles, downloads, books on the go, etc... 

I am using screen shots from both my local library (McCracken County Public Library) and one of my non resident cards (The Free Library of Philadelphia) because they use the same system of Overdrive but look vastly different and do things a little differently too, so this will give you an idea of what to look for on your library site. 

Once you find the digital titles click on that and it will probably take you to the Overdrive site (bookmark this because you WILL be back).   I would start by creating an account (because I am assuming you are new to this Overdrive thing) and set your preferences.  I set my checkouts to 21 days (my maximum offering), you can return early if you finish early.  My two example cards let me make a profile and then sign in with my Library name and the library card number (my FLP card makes me have a pin number that they assigned me when I purchased my non-resident card).  If you check out a lot of books it probably won't take long before you can memorize this card number (I have 4 library card numbers rolling around in my head so I know it can be done). 

Once you have the account created the fun begins.  

You can play around with book titles you are looking to read by typing the name in the search bar, or you can just look around.  I will go over both for you to give you an idea of how to navigate around the site.  First of all, let's look for my pick book of 2018, "Next Year In Havana" by Chanel Cleeton.  Type the book name in the search bar.  

 After I type the name of the book (or author) in the bar, I hit search.   There it is...

....you can see that there is a waitlist, I can choose here to "place a hold" and it will notify me by email when it is my turn for the book (you will enter the email where you want the notification to be sent).  I wanted to show you this feature because many of your popular books may have a hold, but don't fret your turn will come.

 Now I want to show you one more book that is available and show you how to check it out. This time I am going to look for "Gray Mountain" by John Grisham on my McLIb card you can see it is available because the word "borrow" appears. 

I can click the "borrow" button and I get a reminder popup that I am checking out this title. If I change my mind, now is the time to hit "cancel".

 No, this is what I want so I hit "borrow" again and I am prompted to choose how I want my book.  With this title, I have three choices.  

1. Read now with Kindle (you must have an Amazon account. This will only work on a Kindle device or app.

2. Read now in a browser (this will use the internet)

3. Download epub for use on apps that use epub, a Kobo reader, Nook or even read in the Overdrive or Libby (I will touch on that at the end).  

Option #1 Read now with Kindle---Since I read on my Kindle almost exclusively, I choose Kindle.  Once I hit that button I am redirected to the Amazon site and if I am not signed in, I will have to do so before I can finish the check out procedure.  Once I am signed in I get a button that says "get library book" and it sends the book to my account/device.  Once the book is checked out if I click on it again I am told I have checked out the book.

Option #2 Read in my browser--This will open a new window with the book.  You may like to read in your browser so I have attached a screenshot just in case.

Option #3 Download Epub book--I use this option when I am reading on my Samsung Tab4 or reading in the Overdrive app.  

Now you that you know how to check out the books and place a hold, I want to show you a glimpse of the website.  As I told you earlier, these two libraries look a bit different but return results in the same way, they just have differnt titles available.  My McLib card gives me subject, collections, Kindle book, kids and magazines right from the top of the homepage (I am using a web browser-your experience will be a tad different on the app).  My FLP does not offer magazines.  

I like to use the collections button best, but play around with it and see what you like.  Under the collections at both of these libraries I have an "available now" button.  I like this feature when I am looking for something to read TODAY!!!

There are also filters on the left (remember I am in a web browser) that I can use to limit the search to find exactly the right book. 

One more tip, let's say you were watching Dr. Phil and they were talking about the new Natalie Wood book and you think how you would love to read that book.  You can log into your account and search for the book.  Neither of these two libraries had the book, but one of my library choices gives me the option to recommend the book for purchase in their collection.  I get the same warning that it is not in the collection at both libraries, but under the one that allows the recommendations, I have a button I can push to request the book.  It will also place me on a waiting list so if they purchase the title I will get it quickly once it is added (I love this feature!!).  

The last thing I will mention is the apps, one is called Overdrive and the other is Libby.  They both search our library's collection the same but look different.  I find the Overdrive app to be my favorite and my primary usage app, but Libby is stinking adorable!  It is just very hard for me to go back and forth with my libraries using it. However, if I only had ONE library, I would use Libby.  It is very user-friendly and like I said "adorable"!!.

 This is only the beginning of digital titles.  I plan to go over audiobooks, Hoopla, and Freading to get you reading more using less cash.  




Tidbits about me and how I maximize my reading time:
1. I read mainly on a Kindle Voyage (in a Van Gogh cover) and it goes everywhere I go
2. My second reader is a Samsung Galaxy tab4 (waterproof cover) and where the Kindle can't go, it does.
3. I try to read 100 pages a day.
4. I read in a grocery store line, before work, while I watch tv (Law and Order), while I cook dinner, when I eat alone....wherever I can, I read.
5. I listen to audiobooks in the car on my commute, over earbuds at the store and often at work. 

Have a happy day and don't forget your book.

The Digital Library

I have a wonderful local library, the McCracken County Public Library.  If you live anywhere around Paducah, KY and you don't have a library card at Mclib..... well you are missing out and, if eligible, you should remedy that IMMEDIATELY.  Here is a link on who is eligible for a McCracken County Public Library card (note that a non-resident card is available.  I will talk about these cards in the following paragraphs)


Today I am going to cover digital reads.  Digital services may cover ebooks/audiobooks/magazines/comics/music titles and others, but I read a lot of digital books so I am mainly referencing ebooks. The McCracken County Public Library uses Overdrive and Hoopla for ebooks and those will be the services I am primarily referencing, but please notice that those aren't the only digital services offered by my local library.

OVERDRIVE is a wonderful service that allows you to use your library card to check out digital reads and audiobooks.  I am most familiar with Overdrive that if you need some help, inbox me and I will try to help you.  I have been using this service since my library introduced it and will continue.  This is my favorite service that my library offers.  Basically, you search for titles you like and check them out, quite like your physical library.   If the books are not available you can put the book on hold and adjust your settings so that when the book is available, it will be automatically checked out to your card.  With Overdrive you can check out (if available) either an epub or Kindle book. I am primarily a Kindle reader so I adjusted my settings to only show me the Kindle books, but I can still check out for either.  There are two apps you can use Libby and Overdrive. I believe (strictly my thinking) that the Overdrive app will be phased out, so I have tried to use Libby more, but I do prefer the Overdrive app. With the apps you can read/listen to your books or you can download to use on the Kindle or bookshelf that Overdrive gives you.  The best part about Overdrive is there are NO LATE FEES.  Once the book expires it disappears from your bookshelf/device so you have no need to worry about it.  Here is the link to our main Overdrive/kyunbound page.  Look it over and then refer to my first paragraph about getting a McLib library card.


HOOPLA is new to my local library.... I had used it with my non-resident card (more on this below), but once my library got it I ditched the non-resident Hoopla and started using my local library's.   Hoopla is so cool!  You can check out books/music/movies/audiobooks/movies/comics and there is NO waiting!!!  I mainly use the ebooks/audiobooks features so again, I will be referencing those.  You cannot read the books on a Kindle device, but if you have a tablet or a smartphone, you can read the books there in the Hoopla app (you can also read them on a computer). You get 6 checkouts a month at McLib, and the shortest check out time I have had is 7 days.  The selection is outstanding and the ease to download an item is incredible. As with Overdrive, you will have no late fees, when your turn expires the title will disappear from your Hoopla box. Here is a link to my local library Hoopla home page so you can see what it is about.

Non-Resident cards------ A non-resident card is one that you obtain when you don't live in the area that the library serves.  If you don't have a local library, this service may be EXACTLY what you need. If you have a grand library or don't read a ton of books in addition to your library limits, this may not be a service may not interest you so skip ahead.  ***Don't forget that my local library offers a non-resident card***

 My McLib library card can have 10 holds and 12 checkouts.  The checkouts are not a problem for me because I read my book and go (to Amazon>content/devices) to return it, but the holds are an issue for me.  Often a new book comes out and I can't put it on hold because I am capped at my holds.  I had to do something about it so I searched for non-resident library cards.  The internet was a wealth of knowledge on libraries that offered this service for a fee and didn't require me to go to the library.

I searched for some titles that I wanted to read and found a library that had some of my "to be read" books in their catalog.  I chose The Free Library of Philadelphia because we seemed to be a perfect match.  There is a yearly fee involved but I have saved more than double what I would have spent to purchase the books I have checked out from the catalog.  I use one or both of my library cards every day.   As I said earlier, if you have a good local library and don't read much, this service may not be for you, but if you have no local library or need more limits...check this out.  My tip is to look for a digital services card where you do NOT have to show up at a local branch to activate the card.  I have found one library in my home state that offers a card for free to Kentucky residents, so you may be eligible for a free one and not know it; do a little research on the libraries in your state.

My reading habits, for those that are curious......I read 3 or so books a week, sometimes more.  I play an audiobook every day at work.  I only check out 1 or 2 titles at a time on each card, but I am almost capped at holds on both cards (I save a spot on each card for new releases or newly purchased titles at that library). On my shelves you will find mostly historical fiction, biographies and American history books.  I will read just about anything by Susan Meissner, Jennifer Robson, Beatriz Williams, John McCain, Ron Chernow, Bill O'Reilly, Gill Paul, Jamie Ford, Harper Lin and John Grisham.


For friends that have the McCracken County Public Library card:  Here is a helpful guide on all the digital services (Overdrive/Hoopla/Freegal/Flipster that McLib offers to us.  You can learn how to get each app and get some help if needed.  

My nook color

 Rooting my nook color was not a difficult thing.  There was a moment when I think that my heart stopped because I finished the rooting process and the thing would not come on.  Patience my friend, about 4 minutes later the little droid dude pops up and I have my very own rooted nook.

I have lived with it for about a month now...my opinion on it??? Well, I agree with those that told me that it would be one of the greatest things ever.  I now run Honeycomb and have a full-fledged Android tablet.  I can use my Kindle, Nook, Laputa, Amazon app store, Words with friends and the all-important ANDROID market!!!!  I recently installed the library's overdrive console so now I am able to use even more books.  My reading has increased too.  I was sick and tired of reading books under the cover with a flashlight by my cheek.  Now I simply pull the covers over my head and read until my battery dies.

Battery life?  The battery life is not as long as it would be had I kept it a Nook Color.  Mainly because I am using more apps, more internet, and well, just more.  If you have more, you use more.

Touchscreen?  Sometimes it is glitchy but it is not a big deal.  I believe it is more the ADW launcher than the tablet itself that is glitchy.


The specs?  I am running Android 2.3.3  Cyanogen Mod with the Iron Man theme background. It is actually the Iron man Droid.  The rest is just mumbo jumbo that you probably don't care about.

The result? Happiness...it performs in the exact manner that I dreamed it would.  I have a full-fledged Android tablet that cost me 194.00  PERFECTION!