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Kindle gets library book lending | Kindle gets library book lending |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Users of Amazon's Kindle e-reader will soon be able to borrow electronic books from libraries in the US. | Users of Amazon's Kindle e-reader will soon be able to borrow electronic books from libraries in the US. |
The retailer is teaming up with Overdrive, which already offers an e-book lending service through 11,000 American libraries. | The retailer is teaming up with Overdrive, which already offers an e-book lending service through 11,000 American libraries. |
Until now Kindle owners have been unable to download titles because the device uses a unique file format. | Until now Kindle owners have been unable to download titles because the device uses a unique file format. |
Overdrive also operates in the UK, however Amazon would not confirm if its plans include Britain. | Overdrive also operates in the UK, however Amazon would not confirm if its plans include Britain. |
It said the US system would launch later in the year. | It said the US system would launch later in the year. |
Borrowed books will be available on Amazon's own Kindle reader as well as other devices running the Kindle software, including iPads and Android tablets. | Borrowed books will be available on Amazon's own Kindle reader as well as other devices running the Kindle software, including iPads and Android tablets. |
Anyone wanting to borrow a publication must be a member of their local library. | Anyone wanting to borrow a publication must be a member of their local library. |
Titles are downloaded through the library's website and are automatically removed after a set number of days, with a maximum loan time of three weeks. | Titles are downloaded through the library's website and are automatically removed after a set number of days, with a maximum loan time of three weeks. |
Publishing system | Publishing system |
Overdrive has been in business for several years and offers hundreds of thousands of books to readers whose devices use the epub file format. | |
However, Amazon has its own proprietary system, based on the Mobipocket format, which includes a digital rights management system to prevent copying. | |
The fact that Overdrive is finally adopting that technology has been broadly welcomed by industry watchers, but has left some distinctly underwhelmed. | The fact that Overdrive is finally adopting that technology has been broadly welcomed by industry watchers, but has left some distinctly underwhelmed. |
"This is a me too move," said Martin Hoscik, who runs the website eBook Magazine. | "This is a me too move," said Martin Hoscik, who runs the website eBook Magazine. |
"There is no innovation here. It is like congratulating Channel 5 for broadcasting their pictures in colour when everyone else has been doing it for years." | "There is no innovation here. It is like congratulating Channel 5 for broadcasting their pictures in colour when everyone else has been doing it for years." |
Nevertheless, the dominant position of Kindle in the e-book market is likely to raise the profile of library lending. | Nevertheless, the dominant position of Kindle in the e-book market is likely to raise the profile of library lending. |
"I am in favour of anything that gives readers an opportunity to read more books via a library system," said Phil Bradley, vice president of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals. | "I am in favour of anything that gives readers an opportunity to read more books via a library system," said Phil Bradley, vice president of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals. |
UK libraries | UK libraries |
Currently in the UK, 33 out of the country's 151 library authorities make use of the Overdrive system. | Currently in the UK, 33 out of the country's 151 library authorities make use of the Overdrive system. |
If that was to be extended to Kindles, questions would need to be answered about its implementation, said Mr Bradley. | If that was to be extended to Kindles, questions would need to be answered about its implementation, said Mr Bradley. |
In particular, he called for more details about Amazon's plan to let users add notes to e-books. "How will those remain confidential?" he asked. | In particular, he called for more details about Amazon's plan to let users add notes to e-books. "How will those remain confidential?" he asked. |
Amazon has indicated that it will respect the terms of lending use laid out by publishers. | Amazon has indicated that it will respect the terms of lending use laid out by publishers. |
In the case of Harper Collins, the company has stipulated that its books, once purchased by a library, can only be made available for 26 loans, before being erased permanently. | In the case of Harper Collins, the company has stipulated that its books, once purchased by a library, can only be made available for 26 loans, before being erased permanently. |
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