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Amazon Opens Lending Library for Kindle

But it's only for those who belong to its Prime program

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 3, 2011 2:04 PM CDT

(Newser) – Starting today, Kindle users who are Amazon Prime subscribers—and no one else—will have access to Amazon’s new ebook lending library. The library won’t be available to those using Kindle apps on other devices, and it’s opening with a fairly small selection of books: just over 5,000, the Wall Street Journal reports. That’s because none of the top six US publishers are participating in the plan.

Publishers are worried that such a library could hurt both sales of older books and the publishers’ ties to other booksellers. Still, the Kindle Owners’ Lending Library will offer about 100 bestsellers of the past and present. Users will be allowed one book per month, and they can keep it until they download a new one. A librarian tells the Journal he’s not bothered by the competition. “There's a lot of people that can't afford Amazon Prime,” he says. (The plan is $79 a year, and it gives members breaks on shipping along with movie streaming.)

Jeff Bezos, chairman and CEO of Amazon.com, holds a Kindle Fire.
Jeff Bezos, chairman and CEO of Amazon.com, holds a Kindle Fire.   (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
CasperImproved
Nov 3, 2011 4:06 PM CDT
If Amazon had a heart, they would be doing this for free and offering it to everyone. Just saying.
keybored
Nov 3, 2011 3:11 PM CDT
"A librarian tells the Journal he’s not bothered by the competition. “There's a lot of people that can't afford Amazon Prime,” he says. (The plan is $79 a year, and it gives members breaks on shipping along with movie streaming.)" Can't afford $79 a year?  I'm sure there are people that can't but I also see a lot of people who go through iPads/iPhones/Laptops, etc. etc. almost as quickly as their underwear (new models every year) so I'm sure that they can afford $79 a year. Also, with the advent of finding bedbugs in library books (full body shudder) I would much rather borrow online than bring home extra critters with my library books.  Don't get me wrong, I still love books, real books, but sometimes the convenience (and cleanliness) over-rides my old fashioned love of books.
fourCatssoon
Nov 3, 2011 2:43 PM CDT
Where is my Kindle Fire i ordered? maybe you haven't made any yet? i need updated information on this matter!

 
Kindle • Amazon • ebooks • library • books

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