Would you Add a Kindle to your Library?
Today at the Amazon Kindle Event, a new, improved Kindle has been shown to the public. The vision from Amazon is: “to have every book ever printed, in any language, all available in under 60 seconds on Kindle. We won’t stop until we get there. ” Named Kindle 2, some of the more impressive features include:
- Width: 0.36 inches
- Weight: 10 ounces
- 16 shades of gray for more sharper images
- Pages turn 20% faster than previous Kindle
- 25% longer battery life
- Experimental Text-to-Read feature
- 230,000 books to choose from the Amazon Kindle store
- Holds over 1,500 books
- $359 to purchase
The Amazon Kindle
So, would you incorporate a Kindle into your library’s holdings? Do you think your patrons would use it? If anyone is already using a Kindle in your library – what has been your experience with it so far? I do not have one personally but I would like to try it out (hint, hint to Ruth). I have played around with the Kindle 1 and what most people seem to like about that version is that it feels like an actual book. Amazon may have gone TOO thin with this version.
February 13th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Yes, I would. As a matter of fact, I just ordered a Kindle 1 for the library. Reviews tend to rate that higher than Kindle 2. I’m can’t wait to get it and test it out!
February 26th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
There is apparently conflicting evidence as to whether Amazon thinks libraries are allowed to circulate Kindles:
http://rochellejustrochelle.typepad.com/copilot/2009/02/kindle-news-for-libraries-to-chew-on.html
February 26th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
The Onion magazine had this to say about the Kindle 2: “Reading just got more expensive and unnecessarily complicated.”
February 26th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
OCLC was marketing a Kindle for libraries with a book deal thrown in, so I think the question of circulation may be resolved.