Library books are finally joining the Kindle world.
OverDrive, an e-book distributor from Cleveland, announced on Wednesday that public libraries and schools will be able to lend e-books for Amazon’s Kindle.
This doesn’t come as a total surprise because the library-Kindle partnership was announced in April, but Kindle lovers have been waiting for this next step for months now.
The move to renting books from a library now gives Kindle fans another free way to get books. Amazon allows people to “buy” books for free, but the selection is limited.
Library rentals won’t be rolled out nationwide just yet, however. OverDrive added Kindle compatibility to public schools and libraries in its network. E-book lovers who want to see if they can rent a book at their public library can check OverDrive’s website.
Amazon tested its book lending program at the Seattle Public Library and King County Public Library System in Washington.
And this is how a Kindle owner goes about getting a book on their device:
- Visit the website of a U.S. library that offers e-books
- Check out a book using a library card
- Click on “Get for Kindle” and sign in using a Amazon account
Readers can also make bookmarks and notes. And unlike actual library books, there’s no late fees because the digital version expires when time is up.
“Kindle compatibility will allow public and school libraries to serve millions of new readers and extend their valuable community role while providing an outstanding reading experience,” Steve Potash, CEO of OverDrive said in a statement. “This addition helps public libraries accelerate their drive to become the first online stop for eBooks, where visitors can browse, discover and sample new and popular titles and authors in virtually all subjects.”
