Amazon preparing to open Kindle Lending Library

by Steven Mostyn - Apr 21 2011, 10:25

Upping the appeal of its already hugely popular Kindle reading device, online retail giant Amazon has revealed that Kindle users will soon be able to borrow eBooks through a new electronic Library Lending service.

Expected to launch before the close of 2011, the book-lending platform will provide users with access to a vast sway of electronic titles spread across more than 11,000 bricks-and-mortar libraries in the United States.

“We’re excited that millions of Kindle customers will be able to borrow Kindle books from their local libraries,” trumpeted Jay Marine, Amazon’s director of Kindle, in an official statement.

One interesting addition to the service will enable book lenders to scribble margin notations that remain persistent to their specific accounts, even when the eBook has been returned.

“Normally, making margin notes in library books is a big no-no,” added Marine. “Your notes will not show up when the next patron checks out the book. But if you check the book out again, or subsequently buy it, your notes will be there just where you left them.”

Unusually late to the party for a device that leads the eReader market, the Kindle service will bring Amazon’s platform in line with the likes of the Sony Reader, Kobo reader, and Barnes & Noble Nook—all of which already offer eBook library lending.

Although the added attraction of library support is likely to further endear the Kindle to prospective buyers (not to mention continuing price cuts), not all book publishers are happy with with eBook lending.

For example, the New York Times reports that leading print publishers Simon & Schuster and Macmillan have not yet given libraries the green light to lend their eBook titles.

Meanwhile, HarperCollins recently left libraries incensed by its decision to enforce the expiration of any eBook lent more than 26 times—thereby forcing libraries to regularly repurchase stock.

Around the Web