Let’s Bring Kindle Library Borrowing to the UK & EU

[MrGrymReaper]

I love my Kindle. I love my library. But in the UK and EU, they still don’t talk to each other — at least not the way they do in the US.

Right now, if you live outside the US, borrowing an eBook from your library’s Libby/OverDrive collection and reading it on a Kindle e‑ink reader is needlessly complicated, or just not possible without messy workarounds. That’s a huge missed opportunity.

Imagine how many more people would borrow from their local library if they could:

• Find a book in Libby
• Tap “Send to Kindle”
• Start reading instantly on their Kindle screen
• No conversions. No side‑loading. Just reading.

This simple change would:

• Empower millions of Kindle users in the UK & EU to access more books for free (legally!)
• Boost library lending stats and community engagement
• Show that Kindle supports library users everywhere, not just in one country

If you believe in making reading easier for everyone, please join me in asking Amazon and OverDrive/Libby to roll this out internationally. The demand is here. Let’s make it happen.

[MrGrymReaper]

Update: Libby Support has officially acknowledged our request to bring Kindle library borrowing to the UK & EU — and it’s now in their system for consideration. The more people ask for it, the more weight it carries.
If you’re a Kindle user outside the US and want to borrow library eBooks without hacks or extra apps, now’s the time to speak up. Submit your feedback to Libby or Amazon and mention the demand in the UK/EU.

[DNSB]

Not sure about the situation in the UK & EU, but here in Canada, the two main reasons for libraries not supporting Kindle downloads are privacy and cost. Considering the EU privacy laws and concerns, it seems a bit unlikely that Amazon will be able to offer the level of security required. That Amazon will not make any of their ebooks lendable through a library is another concern which makes them unpopular in library circles.

[MrGrymReaper]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Not sure about the situation in the UK & EU, but here in Canada, the two main reasons for libraries not supporting Kindle downloads are privacy and cost. Considering the EU privacy laws and concerns, it seems a bit unlikely that Amazon will be able to offer the level of security required. That Amazon will not make any of their ebooks lendable through a library is another concern which makes them unpopular in library circles.

Are there any ways that the loaned books could be secured without violating privacy? Do you have any ideas?

Cause there’s sufficient numbers of Kindle owners, it’s just that if Amazon doesn’t make any of its books lendable through a library limits their device usage and purchases of Kindles. Against alternatives like Kobo Books Clara Colour.

[Sirtel]

Neither Libby nor Overdrive are available at all in some EU countries. I mean, not on any device. For example, local libraries here use proprietary apps only, which can't be installed on dedicated eink readers, no matter the brand. There is no Libby or Overdrive here.

[DNSB]

Basically, Amazon would have to be able to refuse to supply user information without a court order for that specific users information and protect that user information from other Amazon sites so for instance, a request could not be made under the Patriot Act in the USA for the information without needing to involve the user's jurisdiction.

I suspect Amazon would prefer to keep people purchasing books from Amazon rather than allowing library loans since the profit margins on purchases are probably higher.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Neither Libby nor Overdrive are available at all in some EU countries. I mean, not on any device. For example, local libraries here use proprietary apps only, which can't be installed on dedicated eink readers, no matter the brand. There is no Libby or Overdrive here.

Sort of the same in Ireland. Libby is used for some content.

Also the EU doesn't decide, exactly. The way the EU works vs nations in it is complicated.

There are multiple issues with both Amazon and Kindle for the EU.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by MrGrymReaper

Update: Libby Support has officially acknowledged our request to bring Kindle library borrowing to the UK & EU — and it’s now in their system for consideration. The more people ask for it, the more weight it carries.
If you’re a Kindle user outside the US and want to borrow library eBooks without hacks or extra apps, now’s the time to speak up. Submit your feedback to Libby or Amazon and mention the demand in the UK/EU.

How do we ask for this to be stopped?

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by DNSB

Basically, Amazon would have to be able to refuse to supply user information without a court order for that specific users information and protect that user information from other Amazon sites so for instance, a request could not be made under the Patriot Act in the USA for the information without needing to involve the user's jurisdiction.

If a company has a US HQ, it doesn't matter where the data is, the USA Government can demand it, and more easily if it's not involving a USA Citizen.

That's why MS, Google & Amazon etc "Cloud" services assurances to EU are regarded as worthless.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Quoth

If a company has a US HQ, it doesn't matter where the data is, the USA Government can demand it, and more easily if it's not involving a USA Citizen.

That's why MS, Google & Amazon etc "Cloud" services assurances to EU are regarded as worthless.

I do remember one case where a judge in the USA demanded information from Microsoft which was stored in a Microsoft data center in Ireland. Microsoft appealed the decision and won on appeal when the Second Circuit appeal court ruled in their favour. See The Microsoft Ireland Case: A Brief Summary for a much shortened version.

There are several similar decisions regarding other requests for information not stored in the USA. Where I was last working, one reason for choosing the cloud services we did was the assurance that our data would never be stored on a server located in the USA.

With the current American administration, the likelihood of such a demand being accompanied by threats is pretty high regardless of the precedents.

[Quoth]

Originally Posted by DNSB

I do remember one case where a judge in the USA demanded information from Microsoft which was stored in a Microsoft data center in Ireland. Microsoft appealed the decision and won on appeal when the Second Circuit appeal court ruled in their favour. See The Microsoft Ireland Case: A Brief Summary for a much shortened version.

There are several similar decisions regarding other requests for information not stored in the USA. Where I was last working, one reason for choosing the cloud services we did was the assurance that our data would never be stored on a server located in the USA.

With the current American administration, the likelihood of such a demand being accompanied by threats is pretty high regardless of the precedents.

The administration can demand directly now and block all knowledge from the courts. Assurances from USA corporations as to where the data is stored are now worthless. See articles on The Register. Even an apparently European hosting company is now not save if it is ultimately owned by a USA company.

[DNSB]

Originally Posted by Quoth

The administration can demand directly now and block all knowledge from the courts.

Not quite right but sadly close. If the company says sorry but we do not have access to that data, you need to request access from BigCorp France, the administration will then have to jump through the hoops.