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Connecting Kindle 2 to Public Libraries

I would love to get one of Amazon’s Kindle 2 wireless reading devices, but I’d rather download books from my public library, books that I’ve already paid for with my tax dollars. Here are my thoughts on how it might work.

You see, I used to buy books. I liked to keep score by having a well-stocked bookshelf of tattered, well-read books with crinkly spines. Then I started watching my spending, and realized that it would be quite a savings if I used the library instead. So I gave our library a shot and discovered to my delight that we have an outstanding library system. I’m able to get most of the books I’m interested in reading, I just have to temper my impulsive 9:30 PM run to Borders for a new book, while I wait for my request to be fulfilled. So not only am I spending less, but I’m also taking advantage of something I’m already paying for.

Which brings us back to the Kindle. How great would it be if I could connect to my public library (secure login of course) and browse their catalog for electronic downloads? I could finish one title, and then download the next, even while traveling to Vancouver, BC or Terra Haute, IN, provided a 3G wireless network is available.

I imagine the business model and process would work something like this: The library decides it wants to support Kindle. The library buys a Kindle license for each book, much like buying printed copies. The Kindle version of the book is then available for download, and everyone gets paid - Amazon, the publisher, the author. But the community benefits as well.

So what about infinite downloads of the same content for the price of just one license? We could solve this problem by imposing a model that is similar to how it works with real books. If there is just one copy, then you wait in line for someone to return it. If it is a popular title, and the library wants to keep the lines short, then the library gets multiple copies.

For the Kindle approach, the license would be for 1 download per day. The library can buy multiple licenses to keep the lines short, and people who are in a hurry can go to Amazon and pay the $9.99. And to prevent people from downloading a gazillion books at one time, there would be a limit on the number of downloads per day. So for me, as a Library cardholder, I could download just one title today, and then another tomorrow. If there is a waiting list, I put in a request, and then the title is downloaded automatically once it is available.

What are your thoughts?

© 2009 Nathan Verrill.