Kindles, E-books, and the Future of Your Library

Most libraries know the importance of adapting to the digital age, but that's often easier said than done. Case in point: the hot debate over lending out e-book readers. Amazon.com's policy concerning library use of Kindle Readers states that managers may "purchase Kindles for the library to use for checking out to patrons, as long as you are not reselling the digital content." However, in an interview with LibraryJournal.com earlier this year, Amazon spokesman Drew Herdener clarified, "We don't talk about our enforcement actions." The longer e-book manufacturers avoid dealing with the topic directly, the more American libraries will continue to use this revolutionary technology.

About 20 or so American libraries now feature an e-book program using the Sony Reader Digital Books; while, the majority of libraries interested in being on the forefront of technology, have opted for the Kindle. Hawthorne-Longfellow Library at Bowdoin University in Maine offers both Kindles and Sony Readers.

Penn State University was one of the first to offer this innovative service last autumn, when Sony donated 100 Sony Readers to test their utility in a higher education environment. Mike Furlough, Assistant dean of Scholarly Communications, suggested at the time that, "Libraries are moving rapidly towards the day when the majority of our collections will exist in electronic form." Since then, Broward County Library in Florida has also introduced a Sony Reader program.

Most other public and university libraries that are interested in e-book programs use the Kindle-though not all have continued their programs. Just last week, Brigham Young University in Utah suspended their Kindle lending program; pending written permission from Amazon.com. However, this seems unlikely.

The online response to the use of this technology has been mostly positive, however, some criticize the service and say it could lead to the following scenarios:

• Digitizing a library's collection could pave the way for libraries to lend out books through downloads, which may discourage patrons to physically visit libraries. This could change the basic structure of how a library operates and has the potential for harm as much as good.
• If libraries are able to lend books through online downloads, this may affect the book production and sales industry because they may not be able to compete with such a radical and readily accessible form of sharing and distribution.
• Multiple patrons will be reading books purchased only once. This could lead to a protest by the Author's Guild.

Despite the criticism, the community for e-books in libraries continues to grow and that support can be seen in the following forums and services:

• The Handheld Librarian Online Conference, which takes place on July 30, will feature discussion with experts on library use of mobile and wireless devices.
• The "Ebook Readers in Libraries" Facebook group, created by North Carolina State University Library's Orion Pozo, is frequently updated with information of new reader programs in American libraries.
• Palm Beach Community College blogs about its Kindle lending program and includes polls, news, and information on the Kindle device, as well as records of the most popular e-books and e-newspapers their library.
• iReaderReview.com provides frequent updates on developments in the world of Kindles, e-book innovations, and e-books in libraries. Last week, the blog published a list of libraries featuring e-book reader programs.