In May I wrote a post about library usage of Amazon Kindle. Recently Lone Wolf Librarian did a more thorough search and uncovered at least 15 libraries that lend Kindle eBook readers to their patrons. Here are just few:
- Mary White, Director of Howe Library in Hanover, NH – The Kindle Library Loaning Page. Lending out Kindles since Jan 14th, 2009.
- Sparta Public Library in Sparta, NJ have 2 Kindles for lending.
- LaCrosse Public Library lends out 1 Kindle.
- Rancho Mirage Public Library lends out Kindles, although its unclear whether its internally or patrons can take them home.
- Texas A&M University Libraries have 18 Kindles (add your name to the waiting list here) …
If Amazon were to come up with some kind of library-oriented solution that would streamline the process and eliminate the need for librarians to constantly register/deregister devices (to prevent useres from accidentally ordering books like this one) they would make a killing because:
- Libraries would buy devices and books wholesale
- More people would get introduced to the device and end up buying one for personal use.
Believe it or not most of the general public doesn’t know that Kindle is. I often get asked what is that device that I’m reading from in parks and other public places.
The N.C State library system also lends Kindles!
http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/learningcommons/ebooks.html
I LOVE MY KINDLE 2 – but the wirelss access only in the USA makes no sense to me even with am American account. Plus not being able to lend a book to a friend or not being able to have more than one kindle per account. STOP THE MADNESS! Amazon needs to start learning from Apple or else it’s a matter of time before they are left in the dust!
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I’m the staff person who reviewed the Kindle for La Crosse Public Library, but we do not, in fact, loan it out to the public. I’m still happy to talk to anyone who has questions, though.