Amazon on Wednesday launched its library lending program so Kindle users can borrow books from 11,000 outlets via Overdrive. For some libraries, however, the Kindle format remains in the coming soon category.
The Kindle-library program is enabled via Overdrive, a service that provides lending services for other e-books such as Barnes & Noble’s Nook. For the most part, Overdrive has delivered e-books in the Adobe ePub format.
In that landscape, Amazon is playing a bit of catch up, but is hoping the ability to add highlights and share margin notes and bookmarks will be a boon for library users.
To download, a Kindle library e-book you have to go to your local library’s Web site, choose a book and send to your device. The user experience works through your local library and Overdrive.
For my local library, however, the Kindle option wasn’t enabled, but others such as a the Brooklyn Public Library seem to be switched on. Amazon said Kindle library books are being rolled out over the next few days. In any case, it’s clear that Adobe’s ePub format is dominant.
Here’s a screen from my local library.
