Snarky LA Times article about Kindle Library Lending

[ProfCrash]

We can set the lending period at my library. I just changed mine to 14 days but I might drop it to 7 days.

[abookreader]

On ours you can set Kindle check-outs to 7 or 14 days.

I thought we used to have a 21 day option for eBooks but it looks like all the formats are 7/14 now. Maybe they did that to cut down the wait lists.

[JuniperPearl]

My library allows checkouts for 7 or 14 days. I set my default to 14 days (though I almost always return early) but with the Kindle option being new, it defaults to 7. I have to remember how I originally changed that...

I've been using my library's Overdrive selection for years now and haven't had any issues with availability. Sure, there are wait lists, and yeah, not every book is available, but there have always been enough books that interest me to tide me over until my wait ends or I'm able to get the book in paper format from the physical library. Maybe I'm just more patient than the average reader.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by JuniperPearl

I've been using my library's Overdrive selection for years now and haven't had any issues with availability. Sure, there are wait lists, and yeah, not every book is available, but there have always been enough books that interest me to tide me over until my wait ends or I'm able to get the book in paper format from the physical library. Maybe I'm just more patient than the average reader.

I have absolutely no issues with waiting to read a book for free. If I can't wait, I can always buy it.

[davem2bits]

Originally Posted by JuniperPearl

My library allows checkouts for 7 or 14 days. I set my default to 14 days (though I almost always return early) but with the Kindle option being new, it defaults to 7. I have to remember how I originally changed that...

I've been using my library's Overdrive selection for years now and haven't had any issues with availability. Sure, there are wait lists, and yeah, not every book is available, but there have always been enough books that interest me to tide me over until my wait ends or I'm able to get the book in paper format from the physical library. Maybe I'm just more patient than the average reader.

Setting your default checkout days is on your account info page - with your Checkouts and your Holds. It call Lending Periods at my library.

The time I realized there was a problem with my fellow library patrons was when I was next in line on an ebook with 5 copies out there. It didn't become available for 19 days. For a 200 page book something didn't seem right. With the Kindles folks jumping on the bandwagon, wait times will increase, especially if alot of them don't know they can return when they finish an ebook.

[andrys]

Originally Posted by davem2bits

Yes, ebook lending sucked before Kindle jumped in!! The Libraries, Overdrive, and Amazon added a bunch more people looking for ebooks without adding anymore copies. The long wait lists are mostly folks that use EPUB or PDF versions of ebooks not the handful of Kindle owners that have found kbooks at their libraries. IT IS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.

Part of the problem, as I see it, is that the default is to check the ebook out for 21 days. Not enough people know how to change that or how to return the ebook after they finish it. The default check out length should be 7 days or a group of buttons where the person has to select the number of days, so they know there is an option.

Read this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...deId=200747550

Notice that Amazon doesn't have anything about how to return an ebook. I complained out that and others should also.

Just my 2 cents.

I agree the reporter is a numb skull.

I'm more comfortable with a 14-day checkout, although New York's public library changed the default (during checkout) to 14 days (from 21) but still allows you to override the default and specify either 7 or 21 days.

I agree that Amazon should make it clear that people can return a library book earlier.

Right now I read that if we go to the manageyourkindle page and click on the borrowed book title, there'll be an "Action" button with an option to "Return this Book."

I'm hoping any updated software will include this option on the Kindle itself for a library book (somewhere).

[ucfgrad93]

For my library the check out period is 21 days. I didn't see any options to shorten that time period. Hopefully, Amazon will make returning a library book an option on the Kindle itself rather than having to go to Manage Your Kindle.