Many public libraries have started to offer ebooks for download by their patrons. Most of these are managed through Overdrive and are offered as PDF, EPUB, and MOBI formats. The DRM is managed in such a way that the ebook expires after a given period of time and after that is no longer readable.
If your library offers this service, you are in luck! You can get this content onto your Kindle. Conveniently, for Kindle owners, Kindle can read the MOBI format. In fact, it is widely known that Kindle’s proprietary format AZW is merely MOBI in disguise. The only thing you need to focus on is how to get an appropriate MOBI serial number to register your device with the library. This number is known as the PID number.
Fortunately, most of the heavy lifting has already been done for you. Igor Skochinsky has written a couple of tools that will get a valid PID from your Kindle serial number and will convert the MOBI file to an AZW readable by your Kindle. All this for the grand total of $0!
The catch is that you will need to have a language called Python installed, as the tools are written for the Python language. If you are not familiar with Python, but can follow simple instructions, you will still be able to do this. Go to http://www.python.org/download/ and download a copy of Python. I recommend you stick with the 2.x version of Python as this tool (and others) are known to work with 2.x but not 3.x. Get the appropriate installer. For most of you, this will be straight-up Windows (and possibly 64 bit). (Honestly, if you are using Linux, you probably don’t need my help on any of this…) Download and install according to the directions.
Now get Igor’s tools from http://igorsk.blogspot.com/2007/12/mobipocket-books-on-kindle.html. He has conveniently included some simple to follow instructions on how to use the tools. Basically, you will open a command prompt to run python, then create a PID from your Kindle serial number (keep a copy of your PID somewhere and you won’t have to repeat this step in the future), and lastly, you convert the MOBI file to AZW with your PID.
Now you can just transfer the file to your Kindle and read away! This is great for MOBI books you might have purchased elsewhere (of before you had your Kindle), or for libraries that offer MOBI books.
Some important notes to remember:
- I personally believe that law-abiding citizens should not be restricted to how they utilize content. For example, if I am allowed to check out a paper book from the library and return it, I shouldn’t be restricted to the device I use to read an ebook from the the same library. That does NOT mean that the end user license agreement allows this! If not, then it is up to you as to whether you do this or not.
- This may or may not work on all MOBI files. (I have encountered some that do not.) No warranty is expressed or implied.
- Remember that Amazon has the ability to look at your Kindle when the wireless is on. If you are in fact in violation of any agreements, they can find out. What kind of bad things can they do to you? I’d rather not find out.
- If you call Amazon for any support issues, they can look into your device. See above.
- I can’t guarantee that this will not damage your Kindle. It works for me. If it doesn’t work for you and you damage your Kindle – well, that’s your problem.
- You can treat these like any other book while ON the Kindle, but I have had issues using Kindle software for the PC and iPhone. Same goes for keeping notes and syncing.