BorrowBox 4+

BorrowBox Browsing

This fab app which links to ECC Library Services, is so easy to use and I have passed on the sheer joy of it to any number of friends.
If you have a current library card the spoken or written world is truly your oyster. Why do we use that phrase, oysters are difficult to open and not everyone even likes them. I am allergic to these beastly molluscs.
BorrowBox is both easy to open and I guarantee EVERYONE will find something to tickle their fancy. Best of all there are NO FEES at all, not a single penny. Secondly no late fees because everything is automatic, unless you need to keep something beyond the three week loan period. Then all you need to do is renew in the same way as usual but so much easier. Just click the button and hey presto all done. I love this because it stretches my usual reading habits. I can dip into things that maybe if I had to physically go the library I wouldn’t choose.
The thought of checking out a book, reading a couple of chapters then thinking, no this is not my cup of tea! With BorrowBox if I don’t like it, click the button and it disappears back to where it came from. Never to trouble me again. So don’t hesitate, download the app and start browsing to your hearts content.

Discovery

My local librarian told me about BorrowBox, I was sceptical mainly because I wasn’t sure online reading was for me. I have borrowed audio books for years and didn’t complain about the charges because of the hours of pleasure I was enjoying however the choice was diminishing and I found that I sometimes borrowed the same story more than once.
Whilst suffering with Covid I finally downloaded the app and have never looked back. I listen to stories and browse magazines, enjoying the huge range available, without leaving home.
My only concern is that I’m not visiting my library as often, chatting to the staff and generally getting out and about, which I believe is important. In addition, by not making use of the library service, will this be withdrawn in the future as unviable.
I am very thankful that I was pointed in the direction of BorrowBox and have recommended it to others who don’t have access to library services but the pleasure of finding a new book to read, in paper form, will always take precedence for me.
Thank you for this amazing resource,

Developer Response ,

Hi there, thank you so much for your review!

Great free alternative to Kindle

Great app for borrowing and reading books. A few bug bears - like it would be nice to have a rewind 30 secs button on the iPhone lock screen for audio books (it currently rewinds to the beginning of the chapter which is not very useful.)
Think there’s a bit of a misconception about how this app works. It’s linked to your local library and the deal they have made with Borrow Box. Therefore if a book is on loan, the licensing contract means they can’t lend it out again and you can’t borrow it until it has been returned. (And yes, the person borrowing it might renew it - too bad.) This isn’t rocket science and is how libraries work! A lot of people are complaining about this but it’s really down to the deal your library has made with borrow box and the deal borrow box has made with the various publishers. They can’t just lend out endless copies of a book or they would get sued! If you want the exact book available to you then buy it elsewhere. Otherwise, look through what’s available here for free! Beggars can’t be choosers.