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Amazon have announced their “Kindle Owner’s Lending Library” will be available in the UK before the end of this month.  In America, the scheme has been described as a “nail in public libraries’ coffins“. Britons will pay £49 per year to get to borrow one book at a time and will get a faster delivery of Amazon products.  This will increase their loyalty to the brand. The range includes Harry Potter and 200,000 other books.

This all sounds great. but for those in favour of public libraries, or who believe in the free flow of information and ideas, there may be a worry. Amazon have refused to allow public libraries to offer e-lending on the Kindle.  This will doubtless affect library loans and have a bearing on the e-lending review currently being undertaken.  It will also further increase Amazon’s dangerously large part of the UK book market.  It’s notable that even Waterstones – whose boss once called Amazon a “ruthless, money-making devil” – have decided that they are too powerful to resist.  Amazon will likely never reach monopoly levels – that’s probably an unattainable goal, even more so with Apple out there – but a scary influence by one private company on what is published/available is quite possible.  Some would argue it has already arrived.  Look at what the BBC Technology correspondent says:

“However benign a figure Mr Bezos [Amazon’s boss} cuts, his power over what gets written and read grows by the day. That means anyone with an interest in the future of books will have to watch his every move from now on.” Rory Cellan-Jones

There are other stories today that suggest the increasing ascendancy of the digital world.  The US Education Secretary has called for all textbooks to become digital, following on (sort of) from a South Korean initiative.  There’s also the introduction of an E-book reader that costs less than £10.  This last move represents, along with Amazon’s announcement that it is selling its e-readers at cost, a substantial move towards the free e-reader becoming a reality.

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Things that catch my eye today are: thee likely closure of several libraries in Sefton continues to make the news, with the most notable new development being the actress (Jean Alexander) who used to play Hilda Ogden joining the fray;  down south, the group occupying Friern Barnet Library are going to court tomorrow (Wednesday) at 10am.  Supporters are urged to follow the hashtag #savefblibrary or to sign the petition;  That rare thing, a new library, is starting to be built in Essex, although there are rumours received by Public Libraries News that those staffing it will be largely unpaid.  Today is also the day for libraries to start submitting grants for £6m for Arts Council England funding,  Finally, the reason why old books smell nice is explained.

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News

• Learn to read from a Wookiee – StarTribune (USA).  “Don’t be surprised if you see Imperial Stormtroopers, Jedi, Rebels or various configurations of R2-D2s on the streets of America on Saturday. They will be enjoying Star Wars Reads Day at your local libraries, schools, independent bookstores, Barnes & Nobles and Books-A-Million.”

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The announcement from the Tri-Borough Libraries (Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham) that members of one authority can use the libraries of the other two is good news.  It makes sense and improves the value of the library card in the pocket at no cost. Access to a million books, for free, is a great thing, as equally is the simplicity of not having to carry around three different library cards. Even better in these dire times, the councils claim that the merge of the three authorities will save £1.2m.

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I am delighted to say that I have received special permission to link to a free edition of the Library Campaigner, the regular magazine produced by The Library Campaign.  This edition includes, as well as regular pieces, the following articles:

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