Amazon to launch Library Lending

[bhartman36]

Originally Posted by SyJ

My main concern is how the publishers are going to react to this, and to a lesser extent what Amazon is going to do to muck up the system as they try to gain an advantage in some way.

I think Amazon (in the U.S., where the library lending is right now, anyway) already has the advantage. I'm sure they want to keep it, but they don't need libraries to do that. And, if this system launches as advertised, it doesn't seem like they're going to have the opportunity to crowd ePub out. As long as it doesn't cost them extra, libraries will carry both formats. The only way Kindle ousts ePub from libraries is if ePub devices drop off the face of the Earth, and libraries decide not to support ePub. I'm not sure why they'd do that, though, because it doesn't seem like it would cost them anything to keep support.

[DreamWriter]

As a Kindle user, I'm very happy that library ebook borrowing will be possible soon. Even though I probably won't be using this service very often myself, the more choices we have, the better!

[SyJ]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

How is Amazon's taking part, in an already established system, going to anger publishers when they're selling books/licenses to libraries anyway?

Because the audience for library loans was self-limiting - the publishers and Amazon still had a large captive audience. Opening up library lending to kindle owners (again nothing againest the kindle or it's users) is going to cut into some of that potential captive audience revenue.

By the time this rolls out, I am just not going to be shocked if other publishers pull their books from the established system as you put it. This happened when Amazon jumped on the bandwagon with the 'Lend-me' option and sure enough, publishers pulled out of that established system as well.

As for how Amazon works it with the libraries themselves....whose to say that they aren't going to put further restrictions on libraries and Overdrive to make sure their books are the ones purchased by libraries and limit other platforms. I admit this is not very likely....but I don't have much trust in Amazon so it's something that again, wouldn't shock me if it happens and something I will keep in the back of my mind.

[CWatkinsNash]

Originally Posted by SyJ

As for how Amazon works it with the libraries themselves....whose to say that they aren't going to put further restrictions on libraries and Overdrive to make sure their books are the ones purchased by libraries and limit other platforms. I admit this is not very likely....but I don't have much trust in Amazon so it's something that again, wouldn't shock me if it happens and something I will keep in the back of my mind.

This is very unlikely, not because of any motive on Amazon's part, but because of Overdrive - if there was any way for Amazon to sneak that through, Overdrive would not have agreed to work with them within the Overdrive system. Think about Overdrive's part in this - they are not only the lending framework, they are invested in the DRM as well (and by extension, the format, at least in this case).

And it's already been stated here and elsewhere that libraries aren't going to be purchasing specific formats, so libraries only purchasing Amazon books isn't an issue at this point.

I, personally, can't walk around wondering which big company is going to do something sneaky next - my level of distrust is the same for most of them. I'm more wary of the publishers at this point. Several times people have asked how to get more indies in the Overdrive system - this may be it.

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by carld

Kindle users have just as much right to access their library's services as ePub readers.

You just caused a bunch of heads to explode.

[RockdaMan]

Originally Posted by SyJ

My main concern is how the publishers are going to react to this, and to a lesser extent what Amazon is going to do to muck up the system as they try to gain an advantage in some way.

If Amazon pushes library lending over the edge, wouldn't that mean that Sony and BN and Kobo started the whole thing to swaying?

[Ron.]

Silly question I'm sure but my local library does not have ebooks, nor does any library in my immediate area. Is there a way to find the closest library that has ebooks and if possible to sign up online ?

[SyJ]

Originally Posted by RockdaMan

If Amazon pushes library lending over the edge, wouldn't that mean that Sony and BN and Kobo started the whole thing to swaying?

The ability of libraries to lend ebooks has been swaying from the start. It started rocking when certain publishers started not allowing their ebooks to be lent in the first place.

This is just more momentum.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by SyJ

Because the audience for library loans was self-limiting - the publishers and Amazon still had a large captive audience. Opening up library lending to kindle owners (again nothing againest the kindle or it's users) is going to cut into some of that potential captive audience revenue.
<snip>

I strongly disagree. Opening up library services to more people leads to more readers which eventually leads to more sales; especially where series are concerned. Wait times may also positively effect sales, as those with the means to buy, and lack of patience with waiting, end up buying a copy, instead of "standing" in a queue.

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by Ron.

Silly question I'm sure but my local library does not have ebooks, nor does any library in my immediate area. Is there a way to find the closest library that has ebooks and if possible to sign up online ?

This might be a good place to begin your search for libraries that lend ebooks: https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/EBook_Lending_Libraries.

[Ron.]

Originally Posted by DreamWriter

This might be a good place to begin your search for libraries that lend ebooks: https://wiki.mobileread.com/wiki/EBook_Lending_Libraries.

Thanks for the link

[MrsJoseph]

Originally Posted by Nyssa

I strongly disagree. Opening up library services to more people leads to more readers which eventually leads to more sales; especially where series are concerned. Wait times may also positively effect sales, as those with the means to buy, and lack of patience with waiting, end up buying a copy, instead of "standing" in a queue.

Full Stop. Why would you insert common sense and publishing in the same paragraph? You may know that, I may know that but publishers? They are somewhere right now quietly freaking out.

[DreamWriter]

Originally Posted by Ron.

Thanks for the link

You're very welcome! And here's another link: http://search.overdrive.com/. Try "Search for a Library" there.

[Ron.]

Originally Posted by DreamWriter

You're very welcome! And here's another link: http://search.overdrive.com/. Try "Search for a Library" there.

I found a library close to me that has ebooks, turns of the local county library does

http://digitalmedia.gldl.info/2BE5B5...en/Default.htm

Should I add it to the wiki ? or can I even, guess I am about to find out :P

[Kali Yuga]

5 of the 6 big publishers already have contracts with Overdrive.

Amazon getting into the game doesn't really change much for the publishers. The libraries will still have to pay the ebooks / services via Overdrive.

From a publisher's perspective, it isn't much different than Overdrive offering an iPad app.