Amazon Announces Kindle Library Lending

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by SB Sarah | by SB Sarah | April 20, 2011 | Wednesday at 3:32 pm | 43 Comments

I had a feeling this would come eventually: Amazon announces library lending for the Kindle. Over 11,000 libraries are going to be linked to the Kindle universe “later this year” and according to the press release:

Customers will be able to check out a Kindle book from their local library and start reading on any Kindle device or free Kindle app for Android, iPad, iPod touch, iPhone, PC, Mac, BlackBerry, or Windows Phone. If a Kindle book is checked out again or that book is purchased from Amazon, all of a customer’s annotations and bookmarks will be preserved.

“We’re doing a little something extra here,” Marine continued. “Normally, making margin notes in library books is a big no-no. But we’re extending our Whispersync technology so that you can highlight and add margin notes to Kindle books you check out from your local library. Your notes will not show up when the next patron checks out the book. But if you check out the book again, or subsequently buy it, your notes will be there just as you left them, perfectly Whispersynced.”

I am presuming that if your local library does not have digital lending, you are SOL. And of course, Macmillan and Simon & Schuster authors hoping for patron action on your books, you’re also SOL since those two publishers do not allow library lending of digital books… which means if you’re looking to borrow some Bosoms, you and I are both shit out of luck there, huh? Poo.

I’m also building a bar for the librarians who will have to answer patron questions about library borrowing on the Kindle though - it’s time for more tech support! Given the strength of Amazon in that department, perhaps my alcohol budget for Tech Support Librarian will be rather modest.

Despite the limitations, though, I think this is rather awesome. Personally, I wish the book we wrote was available for borrowing digitally, but I have to say, I love what this means in terms of access to books for readers who are on a limited budget for book buying. If you’re a Kindle user, do you think you’ll take advantage of this program?

Filed: Ebooks, E-Reader Olympics, General Bitching

Tagged: publishers, macmillan, libraries, librarians, kindle, bosoms, awesome, amazon

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helen said on 04.20.11 at 04:02 PM • [link]

Rot. That’ll be the end of library lending of e-books from most of the big 6.
Natalie L. said on 04.20.11 at 04:03 PM • [link]

If my local library had more than a handful of e-books, sure. They have a couple hundred and they all appear to have been bought 5 years ago and mainly deal with how to get jobs in different career fields.
Brian said on 04.20.11 at 04:17 PM • [link]

Potentially great news for Kindle and Kindle App users. I suppose libraries will have to buy separate Kindle copies separate from their ePub purchases which could be the only problem given the limited budgets libraries have. There’s really no reason they couldn’t allow libraries to buy generic licenses and let patrons check out their format of choice, but somehow I’m doubtful that will happen as currently libraries have to buy each format they want (ePub, PDF, Mobi) if it’s available.

My local library has 9,510 ebook titles (multiple copies of many) as of right now, all ePub. I’m sure they’ll be hard pressed to keep their ePub library growing and do Kindle titles at the same rate.
SWegener said on 04.20.11 at 04:19 PM • [link]

I was super excited when I first read the announcement, but now I have LOTS of questions.

1. The privacy issue
2. Will libraries have to buy a new format? (probably)
3. Will there be different restrictions/pricing for this new format, like HC’s infamous 26 copy cap?
4. How will this be received/implemented by libraries?

I’m going to have to think about this more, while I drink my tech librarian drink.
CupK8 said on 04.20.11 at 04:19 PM • [link]

I’m hoping a side effect of this will be increasing the number of library patrons at libraries that have e-lending. If the demand of e-lending increases, and the rest of the Big 6 decide to be jerks about library lending a la Macmillan, maybe they’ll actually get some backlash they can feel.
SRS said on 04.20.11 at 04:20 PM • [link]

Is this only for the USA, or does it also apply to us in Canada (or overseas)? The library thing is the one major barrier left that is holding me back from buying a Kindle.
megalith said on 04.20.11 at 04:45 PM • [link]

Will I take advantage of this? Oh, hell yes. I can’t wait.
Suzannah said on 04.20.11 at 04:51 PM • [link]

I hope this comes to the UK as well. I would definitely use it, if the library had the books, of course. Currently mine only has about a thousand fiction books and about 600 non-fiction. I read their ePubs on my laptop. For smaller libraries I can see it will be expensive to buy different formats, but larger library systems (or combined systems, like the one I belong to here, where 12 boroughs have a joint catalogue, free inter-borough loans and one elibrary - maybe the way of the future?) are likely to buy more than one copy of a paper book (or at least the really popular books), and so presumably could split their ebook licences between ePub and Kindle formats.
Hannah said on 04.20.11 at 05:12 PM • [link]

Yes, I can’t wait for the Kindle library lending feature! I have an older Pocket Sony Reader and while it has its charms, it’s not as nice as the Kindle 3. Plus I love the ability to sync library books across devices—I read a lot on the Kindle apps for PC and Ipod touch.
Jan said on 04.20.11 at 05:32 PM • [link]

To answer your question-YES!! My original ereader was a kindle. Loved it then and still love it now. However, I did buy a nook just so I could “borrow” books from our local library. I must say our library is trying hard to get more and more titles of ebooks but not surprisingly has stated that they will no longer buy any titles from Harper Collins-imagine why?? Love these updates on ereaders and ebooks. Keep up the good work.
Patrice said on 04.20.11 at 05:40 PM • [link]

Yes absolutely! I still use and support my library as well as read and enjoy ebooks since 2004 (reading on my laptop or PalmTX). I only just received a Kindle for a Christmas present last year and my one regret was that I couldn’t take advantage of digital library books. This is great news.
Brian said on 04.20.11 at 06:15 PM • [link]

According to this…
http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/home/890266-264/amazon_to_allow_library_lending.html.csp

“There will be no additional cost to acquire new files to make them compatible,”

“The lending will be available for all generations of the Kindle as well as Kindle reading apps, and it will integrate with all the existing ebook catalogs in the United States powered by OverDrive. In other words, the libraries—including schools, colleges and public libraries—will not have to add a new format, and the ebooks now available on the OverDrive sites will be immediately integrated with the Kindle,”
Bea said on 04.20.11 at 06:49 PM • [link]

I’m very excited! I hope my library wil be one of the 11,000 particiapnts :)
Chelsea said on 04.20.11 at 06:55 PM • [link]

I gotta give Amazon credit, they really try not to screw people over. No system is perfect, but I’m still going to be cautiously optimistic about this.
Sandir said on 04.20.11 at 07:23 PM • [link]

I don’t think anyone will be SOL fortunately. This Ebook Lending Library Wiki offers state by state listings of libraries that have ebooks. http://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/EBook_Lending_Libraries

Many larger state libraries will allow state residents to access their ebook collections for free and there are other libraries such as the Free Library of Philadelphia that offer non-residents the chance to get a card to access their collection. (Currently $35 but free for those over 65.)

I really see this as a boon for libraries. I’m curious to see how HarperCollins (wants strict library lending limits on ebooks) and Macmillan and Simon & Schuster (won’t allow their ebooks to be lent by libraries) react.
LG said on 04.20.11 at 07:25 PM • [link]

Makes me wish academic libraries weren’t in the Dark Ages as far as e-books go. We have tens of thousands of e-books, and every single one of them can only be accessed and read on a computer. Supposedly one of our providers will be making downloadable ebooks available (they were talking EPUB only, but I wonder if Kindle versions are now a possibility?), but they would cost more, so we’d get fewer books for the same amount of money. I, personally, think the trade-off would be worth it.
Rachel said on 04.20.11 at 07:47 PM • [link]

Yes! This is awesome! I’m just wondering, though, when they say “later in the year,” are we talking June/July later or December 31st later?
Courtney said on 04.20.11 at 07:52 PM • [link]

Personally, I am THRILLED to bits! I love my Kindle and have always been frustrated I couldn’t use my library’s ebook catalog. Hooray!
Sascha Illyvich said on 04.20.11 at 08:04 PM • [link]

I think it’s an awesome idea and one that most readers will pick up on and love. The bugs will have to be worked out but that’s to be expected. The more I travel actually the more Kindle users I see. A lot of times if they’re women I thank them (as they could be potential readers) and hand them a business card that says I write erotic romance!
Josie said on 04.20.11 at 08:14 PM • [link]

I have to run right out and ask my library if is it one of the 11,000. Hooray!
Danielle said on 04.20.11 at 08:42 PM • [link]

SRS & Suzannah—sadly, no, this is only for U.S. libraries. I was really excited about the announcement until I saw that part… not looking forward to explaining it to our eager patrons.
Carin said on 04.20.11 at 08:54 PM • [link]

While I’m excited for library access (yay!) I have a Sony ereader and I wonder if this is the end of my library carrying ePub. I think Kindle is more popular, and Kindle won’t play with ePub… so does that mean my already small eLibrary will have to spread their money between two formats? Boo.
Anony Miss said on 04.20.11 at 08:56 PM • [link]

Squee! Squee!
bungluna said on 04.20.11 at 09:04 PM • [link]

Since I do most of my reading through library or booksfree loans, I won’t buy an e-reader until I get mass access to books through one of there outlets. So count me as one of the squee brigade, hoping Amazon’s move prods everybody into providen access to e-books through my library. I’ll buy the bestest Kindle I can get!
Kerry D. said on 04.20.11 at 09:55 PM • [link]

According to comments on Twitter, it’s US only so that makes me SOL too. Bah, as our library has finally introduced ebook lending.
Beki Adkins said on 04.20.11 at 10:11 PM • [link]

Sandir, THANK YOU for the link! I’ve been meaning to look into this for some time now, since my own local library is inadequately stocked with ereads of any kind. I love my Nook, though, and I continue to hope that technological boundaries continue to be broken piece by piece until we can all ready whatever we damn well please, bought or borrowed from wherever we damn well please, whenever we damn well want to!

little squee in solidarity with Kindle-lovers.

boys65? No thanks. One is plenty for me.
Jen B. said on 04.20.11 at 10:11 PM • [link]

I am so excited about this. No more lost library books that my kids complain about when I make them pay for them! Yay! Plus, I will be able to introduce my kids to all sorts of authors. I have tried that with paper books and it was just so difficult because the books were always already checked out.
Jen B. said on 04.20.11 at 10:54 PM • [link]

@Jen B. I don’t want to say don’t be excited, but the hold lists on the digital library I have access to are MUCH longer than the print library hold list. And the number of books in the elibrary is much, much, much smaller. Here’s hoping all that will change.
Sybylla said on 04.20.11 at 10:56 PM • [link]

Hells yes!
Rhonda said on 04.20.11 at 11:10 PM • [link]

All I can is is AWESOME!!!!
Kate said on 04.21.11 at 01:04 AM • [link]

I’m super excited about this - I literally squealed with delight upon reading the post! The lack of library lending has been my only real complaint with my Kindle. Pre-Kindle I used the library a lot, and me and my budget will be pretty excited to have this capability!
DreadPirateRachel said on 04.21.11 at 01:18 AM • [link]

The answer is, “Oh, hell yes.” I’ll be all over this feature as soon as it is available.
Peggy P said on 04.21.11 at 01:48 AM • [link]

I am so happy about this little announcement - wow, “later” is better than never! While I love my Kindles to death (yes, 2 of them) I still borrow ebooks from my libraries (yes, 3 of them) and read them on my laptop - how old-fashioned is that!? But a free book ... is a free book, dammit!
I prefer reading on my Kindle and to read a library book, (hold time and all) will be priceless!
Sam said on 04.21.11 at 01:48 AM • [link]

Yes, I ‘m very happy about this! I’ve had my kindle for a month and the fact that I couldn’t take advantage of Overdrive was the only thing I didn’t like. I also work in library tech services and this has been big news today. The only downside I can see is the very long holds lists. My friends with a Nook say they often have to wait a very long time for a library ebook.
Castiron said on 04.21.11 at 01:51 AM • [link]

My library doesn’t subscribe to Overdrive that I know of, so this doesn’t affect my decisions about a future ebook reader (for now, I’m sticking with my iPod). If they did subscribe, since the newer nooks apparently don’t take pdb files, it’d certainly make a Kindle more tempting, though I still like the Sony reader best.

LG, I know of one budding academic library ebook program that’s planning to provide downloadable files, and I wouldn’t be surprised if another budding program will do so as well since they already do that with their journals. I wouldn’t expect mobi files in the next couple years, though.

(filled69. Okay.)
GatorPerson said on 04.21.11 at 02:51 AM • [link]

This was my exact request a month or so ago when you did a survey. If it doesn’t cost the library per check out, I’ll even check out books I don’t intend reading just to get them on board and buying more.
AfroQueen said on 04.21.11 at 03:03 AM • [link]

As a Nook owner, I was already downloading ebooks from my public library (of which I am a Librarian), but it’s cool that Kindle has finally caught on that people don’t always want to buy the books they read.
Booklover1335 said on 04.21.11 at 03:43 AM • [link]

Yes! I will most definitely be using this feature. I received a Kindle for Christmas and was all excited about it, and I love it…I do. But when my local library recently announced that it would begin offering digital books in June I was sad because I couldn’t use my beloved Kindle :( I didn’t have the money to buy another digital device so this is the answer to my prayers!

I am a HUGE library user and have found many authors that I now buy by “trying them out” at the libarary…that, and I don’t buy hardcover books anymore. They are just too expensive, and don’t fit on my bookshelves…so the authors that started out as paperback, and now are hardcover are library reads only.

I am so excited about this it’s almost like Christmas again. This news totally made my day! If only Macmillan and SOS will join us in the 21st century…
EbonyMcKenna said on 04.21.11 at 11:53 AM • [link]

This is very exciting. I read kindle and other e editions on the iPad and love it. If this comes to a library near me, it will be awesome.

There are so many good books, my productivity is going to take a dive.
Jewel said on 04.21.11 at 03:01 PM • [link]

This makes me very happy - I will certainly use this service. I was actually contemplating getting another ereader (have a kindle) because of the inability to participate with my library and some publishers who don’t provide .prc file types.

Yay!!
beggar1015 said on 04.21.11 at 03:09 PM • [link]

Living in an extremely small town where the library’s main goal right now is to get enough money to fix the leaking roof (understandably), I’m one of those who are SOL. I hope that somehow, somewhere, there’s a library kind enough to think of us backwoods folks, even if it’s out of state, that would allow readers to check out their ebooks.
Brian said on 04.21.11 at 03:36 PM • [link]

I hope that somehow, somewhere, there’s a library kind enough to think of us backwoods folks, even if it’s out of state, that would allow readers to check out their ebooks.

@beggar1015, the Free Library of Philadelphia has ebooks (and audiobooks) and anyone can get a non-resident card for $35 a year (used to be $15). They have 5,280 ebook titles right now and add stuff fairly regularly. Whether it’s worth $35 a year will depend on the individual.

http://freelibrary.lib.overdrive.com/
Cyn said on 04.22.11 at 09:17 PM • [link]

I think this is lame… amazon is only doing this because the barnes and noble nook can already borrow books from the library using adobe digital editions. Unless the Kindle can read the epub format than there is going to be little to no difference, especially since Overdrive isnt used by all libraries. Just another way to make kindle users feel a little more special, since they charged 400$ for a product for years. Amazon could’ve easily cornered the ereading market if they weren’t so greedy and made the kindle only accessible to the rich.