downloading ebooks from the public library

Most libraries provide electronic books for checkout that are copy-protected with Adobe's PDF-based scheme, for which no iPad reader exists. If your library uses this system of protection - the only one I've seen for checkout of electronic books, though there could be some other system I haven't seen so check with your library - then you will not be able to read those books on your iPad.

Regards.

I researched this issue and discovered that some library downloads are wma and iPad doesn't use wma.

In my library's website, they actually provide users with a category that specifically lists books that are all iPad-friendly, eliminating the need for me to have to make sure I'm not choosing a wma book.

Also, the library's website should give you the directions on how to do the downloads specifically for iPads - at least it seemed pretty straightforward to me.

Good luck.

@artismal:
.wma files are Windows Media player audio files, so those are most likely audiobooks. What he is looking for is books that are compatible with the iPad, (PDFs, ePub format) there is goodreader for iPad which can read PDFs but IMO iBooks is still better for PDFs. hope this helps. Apple FTW!

What I wrote directly referred to being able to download books that are compatible with iPad. The app I use is Overdrive Media Console. I also have PDF Reader.

But maybe I need Goodreader for ePub books. I'm going to look for it in a little while.

What's the library URL? Are these books publicly available so that I can check their format?

Generally, PDF will do as there're a lot of great PDF readers for the platform - and there's a PDF downloading-related thread at http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2550498&tstart=0

I have the same option available at my public library, however I had to install an application on my Mac and download to my computer first. Make sure you download the ePub digital book file type. Then sync using iTunes.

[This article|http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4059] has some useful info - but not a step by step.

Both the Los Angeles and Las Vegas public library systems use DRM-protected PDF and ePUB files. The interface software to these libraries is *Adobe Digital Editions*. I think they simply bought the same eBooks package.

Yes, they are publically available IF you have a LA or LV Library Card. I can read these files easily in my PC, or on my wife's Sony Book Reader, but NOT on my iPad. Any help with making the DRM-protected files readable on an iPad would be very much appreciated.

Did you try third-party tools for removing DRM? E.g., http://www.elcomsoft.com/apdfpr.html . (I haven't tested it and don't know whether there're other DRM remover tools available. I haven't checked user opinions either.)

Use Calibre, its a free software you download from the internet and will help you convert the ebooks you have into ePubs which is what iPad recognizes. Thats what i use and it works perfectly. hope it helps.

Did you authorize your device on Adobe Digital Editions? ADE uses epub and pdf files. Am able to load all my epub files to my ipad but I did have to remove the DRM and used Calibre to edit the meta files.

Our library also uses Overdrive.
I will also look for Goodreader.
If anyone finds an answer to this question, please let me know.

Yes, I tried that software. Unfortunately, it doesn't work on the Adobe Digital Editions type of encryption. Thanks for the suggestion though.