Library eBooks Coming Soon to a Kindle Near You

Last summer I wrestled mightily with the biggest question of the year: Kindle or Nook? Ultimately, I went with a Kindle because I do a lot of book reviewing, and I knew I’d be able to read review copies of new books on Kindle via Netgalley. This was a tremendous relief to my children, who were beginning to have trouble finding each other amid the precarious towers of bound galleys all over the house. But the Nook has one feature I coveted in the worst way: you can check out library books on it.

Well, I need covet no longer. Er, not much longer, at least. Overdrive, the service that partners with libraries all over the United States to make ebooks available to library patrons, has just made a welcome announcement: Kindle compatibility is here!

“This update, which is included at no additional cost to OverDrive partner libraries, allows most existing eBooks in your library’s collection to be read on all Kindle devices or by using free Kindle apps for iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ and other mobile devices. OverDrive is quickly updating all U.S. public and school library partner websites to support Kindle compatibility and will complete this update as soon as possible.”

I may have squealed a little tiny bit when I heard this news. I dashed straight to my library website to see if the update has been rolled out to our system yet. Alas, San Diego County isn’t sporting that magical “Get for Kindle” button yet, but now I know I won’t have to wait much longer. I’ve already jumped into the digital queue for the new Flavia de Luce mystery. Here’s hoping that sweet, sweet Kindle accessibility arrives at my branch before I hit the head of that line…

How about you? Are you reading library books on any of your devices?