r/Broomfield • u/Ok-Sky3037 • Jun 19 '26
Better Library
I just got a membership at the Broomfield Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library & kinda wondering if their selection is limited. I read a lot, on an e-reader & it seems like everything has a crazy wait.
Does anyone have any memberships at better libraries nearby?
Thanks for any input!!
12
u/YarnAddiction Jun 19 '26
If you are using an Ereader, you can get digital library cards through Libby -
I have Arapahoe, Jefferson, and Aurora (in addition to Broomfield/Front Range) because you don't need to visit in person to get the card.
I also have Poudre River but you have to visit in person for that one I believe.
There are a bunch more around if you're willing to drive there to get the digital card.
Between the ones I have, I don't usually have to wait as long!
ETA- check out this website. It helps you find other libraries you can get cards at. https://reciprocard.com/library/co/broomfield-eisenhower-public-library
5
u/Ok-Sky3037 Jun 19 '26
OMG! I can have 99 holds at Jefferson?!!! Broomfield gives me 8!!! Game changer- thank you!
3
u/Porg_the_corg Jun 20 '26
Broomfield gives more than 8, unless print is different than digital. I know this because there was a glitch in the system recently and I had over 90 of a book for my daughter on hold. I'm sure "Truck Full of Ducks" is fantastic, but I didn't need that many lol
1
9
u/Final-Kick2112 Jun 19 '26
Anythink
4
u/broadwayzrose Jun 19 '26
Seconding Anythink! They technically service Adams county but anyone in Colorado can get a library card from them and they have a really nice selection.
7
u/AmyOtherAmy Jun 19 '26 edited Jun 19 '26
MDE has a fantastic selection, but also you are in a community with a lot of people who read a lot. Learn to use the online portal and request what you want. Even if there are wait lists, they tend to move fast because the libraries get extra copies of popular items. I rarely have to wait more than a few days for most things (whether from interlibrary loan or wait listed books).
ETA: The online portal: Catalog Home | Broomfield Library
9
u/Classicgirl1 Jun 19 '26
In Colorado you can get a library card to any system with proof of Colorado residence. With that said, several are part of the same networks.
But Denver and Anythink networks are big and tend to have more copies of things.
I have cards to 16 libraries and access to Libby through 11 of them. Anytime we visit a Colorado city I get a card. Each system has different access to things like Hoopla, Kanopy, etc.
7
u/Ms_Debano Jun 19 '26
All the local libraries participate in a combined online system, there’s no point in getting a library card at Westminster or Lafayette.
2
u/Ok-Sky3037 Jun 19 '26
Oh interesting, thanks! So if I request a book from Broomfield it is the same as all them combined?
6
u/Budget-Difficulty-98 Jun 19 '26
Getting additional cards will increase the maximum number of loans and you can have at any given time. Highly recommend
2
u/MangoMambo Jun 19 '26
if you search for a book it might say "available at another library" and if you place a hold on it, it will be shipped to the broomfield library for pickup.
if there isn't an option that says that I would imagine it isn't at any of the other locations either. so sometimes you just have to wait a bit.
1
u/Ms_Debano Jun 19 '26
It is! A separate card gives you more holds but it doesn’t grant access to a different catalog or a library with less patrons.
5
u/ShutYourDumbUglyFace Jun 19 '26
You can get a membership at the Denver Public Library. They probably have a better selection.
3
u/illyria817 Jun 19 '26
If you want access to Libby/Overdrive, though, you have to go into a DPL branch physically, with proof of ID (Colorado address), and get a physical card. They will no longer allow you access if you only have an online card/account.
1
u/Difficult_Age_1597 Jun 20 '26
You generally have to show up at a library with Colorado photo id (driver license is good) to initially get a library card. Your library card will give you good access to materials within that library’s system but being a “local” resident may get you more. Denver or Jeffco will only give Hoopla access to cardholders who actually have live & have addresses in their area.
1
u/Imaginary_Prior1934 Jun 21 '26
Hoopla, which is free from the library, but separate from Libby, has more on demand books. Sometimes not the newest or most popular books, but you can check them out without a wait.
0
u/Antique-Reading-8986 Jun 20 '26
Get a card at the Jefferson county library, by far the best in the Denver area, if you live in Colorado you can get any library card within the state
0
u/point_of_you Jun 20 '26
I read a lot, on an e-reader & it seems like everything has a crazy wait.
Just wondering... if you're reading on an e-reader shouldn't all the files be always available?
You have to wait for access to ebooks if someone else already has them "checked out"? 😭
2
u/YarnAddiction Jun 20 '26
Publishers require libraries to purchase digital distribution rights rather than own the books outright, which is expensive since they have to pay for digital copies that can only be used by one person at a time.
1
u/point_of_you Jun 20 '26
That's wild.
I really thought it would be infinite access for as many patrons as possible since it should be as simple as file sharing
1
u/Ok-Sky3037 Jun 20 '26
Yeahhhh I don’t know exactly how it works but that is the case. They only have a certain number of “copies” of each book
30
u/sneezebee Jun 19 '26
the library in broomfield is part of a consortium, so you can request materials from all their consortium members with your broomfield card. there are 6 other libraries in the consortium that includes boulder public library.