I actually toned down the headline (the original one rhymed with ‘ducked’). The reason for this bleak prognosis?
Well, first I wrote about the potential of the ebook to remove the relevance of libraries and how they could adapt.
Two days later, Amazon allowed websites and bloggers to start embedding the opening chapter of books - not a major nail in the coffin, but an indication.
But now it’s done.
Later this year, Amazon owners will be able to lend out their books to other Kindle owners for 14 days. That’s the same functionality which is also available on the Barnes & Noble Nook.
Now, there are restrictions and rules, not every book will be available, and the Kindle-owning population is by far the minority. But there’s also a two-week limit on physical library books, not every book is available, and there are restrictions and fines.
And as detailed in the external link below, there appears to be a successful trial in the U.S using e-readers as I suggested a while ago.
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