Amazon to launch Library Lending

[carld]

I'd also like to add that if this does result in longer waiting lists, then that's unfortunate, but Kindle users have just as much right to access their library's services as ePub readers.

[elemenoP]

I'm still confused about how this is actually going to work. It was said that they would use Amazon's DRM servers, but it seems like the actual file (the text of the book)--not just the DRM--would be served by Amazon, no? So a library patron checks out a book (that currently says epub) but chooses Kindle. The (epub) license is marked as checked-out, meanwhile Amazon says, yep I've got that same book, I'm putting it on your Kindle now. Then the Kindle file expires at the same time that the epub license gets checked back in.

is that right?
eP

[carld]

I'm thinking, but don't know, that rather than checking out the ePub file, .azw will become available as a download option. Whether this will result in longer waits for the ePub files, I honestly don't know, but I'm hoping not.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by Spyderman

I'm getting that old deja' vu feeling. This sounds like "Overdrive" which is already being used by libraries coast to coast. How do they convince those libraries that already have several copies of a particular title that work with a couple of dozen readers, to buy more copies for the Kindle? Not to mention installing another software package to run along side the Overdrive they're already using.

This has been address numerous times in numerous threads (including this one) about the same topic. NO additional costs for the libraries.

[abookreader]

Originally Posted by elemenoP

I'm still confused about how this is actually going to work. It was said that they would use Amazon's DRM servers, but it seems like the actual file (the text of the book)--not just the DRM--would be served by Amazon, no? So a library patron checks out a book (that currently says epub) but chooses Kindle. The (epub) license is marked as checked-out, meanwhile Amazon says, yep I've got that same book, I'm putting it on your Kindle now. Then the Kindle file expires at the same time that the epub license gets checked back in.

is that right?
eP

Truthfully - nobody really knows. Overdrive has issued a press release stating that Libraries will be able to lend their existing Title Licenses to Kindle owners. That's all we know.

Yes, it will probably increase demand. But remember that many Kindle owners already check-out books via Overdrive via other devices such as iPADS and their iPhones or even a 2nd reader and that doesn't even count the "alternate methods." There are benefits to increased demand too if you are an eBook reader. More interest means larger budgets and more books purchased overall.

Next Christmas is probably increase demand too just like last Christmas crashed the Overdrive servers - but I don't see anybody in a fuss over that.

[Loosheesh]

Originally Posted by carld

I'd also like to add that if this does result in longer waiting lists, then that's unfortunate, but Kindle users have just as much right to access their library's services as ePub readers.

Thank you! I was not one of those complaining that the Kindle should be able to access digital libraries (when I bought mine I didn't even know about digital libraries so ...) but I'm happily looking forward to this ability, and I don't see why we Kindlers should be made to feel as if we'll crash the whole system.

[carld]

Originally Posted by Loosheesh

Thank you! I was not one of those complaining that the Kindle should be able to access digital libraries (when I bought mine I didn't even know about digital libraries so ...) but I'm happily looking forward to this ability, and I don't see why we Kindlers should be made to feel as if we'll crash the whole system.

Agreed, we shouldn't. I bought my Kindle knowing I couldn't use it with Overdrive, and I was fine with that. But once it's available I'll be happy to use it, and honestly, it's not much of my concern if nook and Sony users don't like it.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by carld

I'd also like to add that if this does result in longer waiting lists, then that's unfortunate, but Kindle users have just as much right to access their library's services as ePub readers.

I agree; we do.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by elemenoP

I'm still confused about how this is actually going to work. It was said that they would use Amazon's DRM servers, but it seems like the actual file (the text of the book)--not just the DRM--would be served by Amazon, no? So a library patron checks out a book (that currently says epub) but chooses Kindle. The (epub) license is marked as checked-out, meanwhile Amazon says, yep I've got that same book, I'm putting it on your Kindle now. Then the Kindle file expires at the same time that the epub license gets checked back in.

is that right?
eP

More than likely (speculation on my part), all ePubs in a library's inventory will become licenses for an ebook available in two formats - ePub or Kindle. The person checking out the book will choose which one they want.

[Nathan Campos]

Finally, Barnes & Noble introduced this feature some time ago and now the Amazon Kindle users can enjoy this great feature too

[rogerVA]

I sense there are some Kindle haters here who are not happy about this latest development. K3 is what I have, so I'm VERY happy.

[Andrew H.]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

More than likely (speculation on my part), all ePubs in a library's inventory will become licenses for an ebook available in two formats - ePub or Kindle. The person checking out the book will choose which one they want.

Yeah, this is the only way I can see this happening. If the library has bought three licenses for a book, that book can only be checked out to three people at once, but it can be checked out in either epub or azw form.

I would assume that, for Kindle books, the library would simply make one license unavailable while the book was checked out, and Amazon would actually deliver the requested book from its own server. So you are ordering from the library, but receiving the book from Amazon.

And, yeah, I would imagine that after the book expired, you would receive a link to buy the book, or to buy the next book in the series.

[SyJ]

Originally Posted by rogerVA

I sense there are some Kindle haters here who are not happy about this latest development. K3 is what I have, so I'm VERY happy.

My problem is not that I hate the kindle...or don't want kindle owners to use the library....they have every right to do so even if it means longer wait lists.

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.

Those two things are very different then 'hating the kindle' or not wanting kindle users to have library access.

[Nyssa]

Originally Posted by SyJ

My problem is not that I hate the kindle...or don't want kindle owners to use the library....they have every right to do so even if it means longer wait lists.

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.

Those two things are very different then 'hating the kindle' or not wanting kindle users to have library access.

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

[Timoleon]

Poor old Amazon is damned if they do, damned if they don't...
People are hard to please and easy to criticize these days!