Kindle and local library
 

I'm new to Kindle and have borrowed 2 books from my local library. If I am outside the country without Wifi access and need to return the book, how does that work?
Yep, I'm old, gray, and technologically challenged!

It will be automatically removed from the device (and "returned" from the library's perspective) on the due date.

You mean it will magically disappear even without being connected to anything? Like a self-destruct button?

Correct.

To be fair, on my Kindle Paperwhite, the title is still listed, but it has an "Expired" icon (or something like that) over the cover icon. When you click on it, it simply brings up a message saying the book has been returned. I have to manually remove the icon.

And, as a public service reminder, it is courteous my manually "return" the book (except if you're out of the country!!) so that the next person in line can have it. No need to wait for the automatic return.

Only if the Wifi is turned on will the book be returned at least with regards to the New York Public Library. If it's not turned on, the book stays on your Kindle.

But the book is returned so another borrower can borrow it. It just stays on your kindle until you turn on the wifi.

With Overdrive/the Chicago Public Library, if I don't turn on wifi, the book remains on my Kindle past the expiration date. It's really handy for very long books.

Excellent to know. :)

I just don't want to get fines or be rude and not return books on time!

I don't think either will happen. It's impossible (at least in Chicago) to incur a fine with the Overdrive system, which seems to be the prevalent system among US libraries. And in the eyes of Overdrive, you've returned the book so it's available for the next borrower. I think there's simply some wireless message sent to your Kindle/Kindle software that tells the software to disable the book after a certain period of time.

You can't be fined for ebooks. Also, according to an eNYPL librarian, if a borrower still has an ebook past the due date, others on the waiting lists won't need to wait for that borrower to turn on the wifi. The borrowing period is either 2 or 3 weeks (depending on what the borrower chooses). When that period is done, the next person on the list gets the book emailed to her or him.

There is also Manage your Kindle via amazon.com and your account. Most books borrowed also show up on that list and you can return, delete and even buy [marketing tool by Jeff] the book in question.

Technically, I can load up my kindle from my local library before a 3 week trip and then return the books when return. It should work. Hope they have good stuff in then!

Anyone have any good books to recommend?