There is Netlibrary.com, which is quite similar to what you describe. My public library is affiliated, so I have to pay nothing. It allows you to check out books for a time period online, although the selection isn’t complete (it usually doesn’t include books the library has in print, for example).
Safari Online is a great service. I have a 30 slot subscription. It’s all searchable. Once you grab a book (most are one slot), you hang on to it for a minimum of 45 days until you can “remove” it. Check it out!
Netflix for books already exists, sort of – I’ve never used their service (though I should probably start), but I’ve heard good feedback about them and they have books, including audio and MP3 books, on a variety of subjects.
Wow, this is so weird. My mom and I were sitting at the dinner table discussing this very thing last night. Then i log onto the net, and here someone else is talking about it. Netbrary, its the next big thing i tell you.
An avid fan of business, education, technology and finance. I lead a lean, highly focussed and capable team of Java Back End developers and Front End developers through a maze of complex software wizardry to fulfill the web maintenance needs of a large chemical manufacturer. As per Myers-Briggs Personality Types, I am an ESTJ. I pride in a project completed on time and according to plan. My hobbies include all kinds of technology, anything that I can taste and anything that goes fast or flies in the air. I like to read business books and comics in my spare time.
Imagine leaving in Greece where shipping from amazon takes a week minimum and only 16% of the population is online. Damn
There is Netlibrary.com, which is quite similar to what you describe. My public library is affiliated, so I have to pay nothing. It allows you to check out books for a time period online, although the selection isn’t complete (it usually doesn’t include books the library has in print, for example).
Safari Online is a great service. I have a 30 slot subscription. It’s all searchable. Once you grab a book (most are one slot), you hang on to it for a minimum of 45 days until you can “remove” it. Check it out!
Netflix for books already exists, sort of – I’ve never used their service (though I should probably start), but I’ve heard good feedback about them and they have books, including audio and MP3 books, on a variety of subjects.
Wow, this is so weird. My mom and I were sitting at the dinner table discussing this very thing last night. Then i log onto the net, and here someone else is talking about it. Netbrary, its the next big thing i tell you.
You mean something like http://safari.oreilly.com/ only more so?
While we’re on the subject, I wish it were much easier to store and read .txt books on an iPod.
Just to show you that a Netflix for books style business model exists with BookSwim – http://www.bookswim.com. They allow members to rent hardcover books and paperback books from a pretty big selection. Books are delivered free then when finished reading, you can send them back… again free.