Amazon on Wednesday formally launched its library book lending program, which allows Kindle and Kindle app users to borrow e-books from more than 11,000 libraries in the United States.
To borrow e-books, Kindle users will visit their local library's Web site and search for the book they want. They will check out using a valid library card, and then select the "Send to Kindle" option. At that point, users will be re-directed to Amazon.com, where they must sign in with their Amazon account. The book will then be transferred via Wi-Fi or USB (not 3G). Amazon is working with OverDrive for the feature, a company that specializes in library e-book rentals.
The availability of books and the length of a loan will vary on a library-by-library basis. But Amazon will send out a notice three days before the loan is set to expire and again after the due date has passed.
Readers will be able to take notes on e-books much like they would with an e-book they purchased. "Normally, making margin notes in library books is a big no-no. But we're fixing this by extending our Whispersync technology to library books, so your notes, highlights and bookmarks are always backed up and available the next time you check out the book or if you decide to buy the book," Jay Marine, director of Amazon Kindle, said in a statement.
After the loan has expired, readers can still view their notes and highlights via kindle.amazon.com, and if they borrow the same book again, the notes will appear.
At this point, library lending is only available for U.S. customers. More details are available at amazon.com/kindle/publiclibraries.
Amazon first announced plans for library lending in April. Last year, Amazon said it would allow users to lend their purchased e-books to other Kindle users, a service that quietly went live in December.
Last week, meanwhile, Amazon said it will bring its local deals service to the ad-supported versions of its Amazon Kindle e-book reader. The next big reveal from Amazon, however, is expected to be its tablet. For more, see the "12 Burning Questions About the Amazon Tablet" slideshow below.