Amazon's Kindle Unlimited vs The Public Library -- Libraries Still Win

The big techie news last Friday (7/18/2014) was Amazon's announcement of Kindle Unlimited.  The reviews of this new product has been mixed reviews.  The response ranged from Bezo has done it again to it's too early to tell if this will be a hit.  What is Kindle Unlimited?  A subscription service through Kindle that allows readers to download up to ten titles per month for the amazing low price of $9.99 or $120 a year.   Sounds wonderful, right?  On the surface it does seem like a dream come true.  However, as parents have always warned their children for ages, "If it sounds too good to be true,   it is too good to be true."   Before plopping down that money, think of these questions.

Question One,  does this duplicate something that is already provided?  Nine out of ten people should say yes.  The reason being is that almost all communities have libraries.  These days, all libraries, public or private, small or large, have access to downloading books.  If a customer pays $120 per year to Amazon for the subscription, how much does she pay her local library for the same service?  Most people would say $0 but that's not true.   Property taxes pay for the majority of public libraries in America.  Having said that,   most communities pay roughly about $80 to $155 per household per year to support the library.   Not a bad price for being able to check out just about anything, including digital materials.

Question Two,  how many titles are in the selection?  Amazon boosts that it has over 600,000 titles to choose from in this package.  However the five major have stepped away from this wonderful venture and their titles are not included in the service (Harper Collins,  Simon & Schuster are just two of the publishers who opted out.)  What books are included?   On a first glance,  many of the  titles from independent publishers  that need an audience.  Now one may say that this is just a step for Amazon to take to try out the market for an idea like this and publishers are just stepping back to see if it's a hit.   True, but when the bigger publishers join the "party" of book subscriptions what happens to the year fee?   Prices rarely go further down one a low, low fee has been set.  With no rocket science degree, it would be a safe bet to say the fee would increase.

Question Three:  How many books would need to be read to make this program a good deal to the avid reader?  If a reader read three to four books a month, it would be worthwhile.  Quite frankly a really good deal.  However, see question two.  Do they have the titles of interest?

Question Four: If the subscription is terminated does the consumer keep the books?  According to Amazon's website the answer is no.  This might be a non factor since checking out books at a library (ebook or paper) the borrower does not keep the book.

After all these questions have been thoughtfully answered there can only be one question left.  For a reorder where is the first place to turn to when looking for the perfect book, article, or movie.  The Library.     It is probably not Amazon's intent to do away with libraries as one  author  may have suggested. (Forbes, T. Worstall Close All the Libraries and Buy Everyone An Amazon Kindle,  7-18-14)   Amazon is merely trying to do what Netflix has done for movies.  Lots of choices, one low price which will probably increase just as every other service fee from Amazon has.   Which brings another important to mind.  Would  a Kindle subscription stop avid readers  from using a library. Not any more going to Barnes and Noble to purchase a book. Readers just love to read and finding that perfect book or books can lead them to the library, the bookstore or online.

To say the least, it will be interesting to see how and if  Amazon Unlimited grows in demand.   As for libraries, well they have been around long before Amazon and quite frankly, they will be around long after Amazon too.

Reading a Novel 101 -- Tips Every Reader Should Know.

This is just a reminder to all the readers out there who will be picking up novels this summer for pleasure reading or even in some cases, to learning something knew.  There really needs to be an introductory course to reading a novel.  The natural inclination here is to say  reading a novel does not need instructions.  Open a book, read the page, turn the page  and close book when there are no more pages or until one is tired.  Easy right?  Contrary to popular belief, there is much more involved here.  If a reader wants to get more bang for their buck, take these tips from a librarian.  You'll never look at a novel the same way again.

TIP number one: Listen to the Author's Voice.  
 The author is granting to the reader an invitation to enter their world but it does not mean their point of view is ignored except for the parts the readers likes.  Rather it is an opportunity to listen to a viewpoint that may or may not agree with your own opinions.  In other words an open book is equivalent to an open mind.  So shut up and read.  Let the author have their say without putting a spin on it that does not exist.  An example would be to read The Hunger Games and declare it a nod to conservative principals.  No, that isn't quite right.   All one has to do is look at Ms. Collins biography to notice that her political beliefs are more  liberal then conservative.  Is that bad?  No, it's just her beliefs, which means that reading the book from that point of view will provide a better understanding of what the author wants to convey.

TIP number two:   The Reader Should Never Put On The Character's Shoes.
There have been  many well intentioned book discussion leader who ask the classic question "What would you do if this happened to you?"  Frankly,  human beings are unpredictable. One could guess what they would do but there's no certainty.   The questions that reader should ask themselves are, "Did the actions fit the character's words?  Did the action of the character make the reader want to say "Bravo" or "You stink"?

TIP number three:  No Novel is a Waste of Time 
Yes there have been times that a book is so disappointing that the reader really wants to write an anti-fan letter to the author. That's okay.  Don't think of it as a waste of time.  Think of it as a lesson in finding out what makes a good author versus a bad one.  Next time, the book you pick for yourself will be better based on past choices. Sort of like dating.


TIP number four: Take Your Time - Reading is Not a Marathon
It is a wonder that readers who go through books quickly ever retain half of what they read. Granted it should take a rear a year to finish a book but why rush the process?  Enjoy the visit with the characters, stop and smell the roses with them too.  Reading, especially when done for pleasure, is meant to be something to savored.  Every sentence, every word and punctuation.  Why deny the opportunity to let it all soak in?  Quite frankly,  it's okay to read the book a second time around too.  Life is too short not to indulge in simple pleasures.


These are just a few tips that bring out the best from the stories and readers.   There is  an art to be being a reader.  A talent that has to be honed just like any other skill.  Don't be afraid to hone the skill and don't close your mind.  In order to incorporate the skills a reader should have an open mind.  Why? It means they are listening, learning and loving the total experience of the novel.

Giving Thanks for Libraries

This should be a quick but useful entry today. As today is a day of thanks here in the United States, it would seem very un-holiday like to not say anything about libraries and why there is much to give thanks for libraries, small or large. Before heading off to big family dinners or waiting for the clock to strike at midnight for the Black Friday shopping frenzy to begin, here is a the top ten reasons to be thankful for libraries. 10. Libraries offer a wonderful and safe place for children to visit after school, on weekends or on family program nights. Suffice it to say, it's a little bit safer than the mall and it's a little easier on mom and dad's pocket books too! 9. Libraries are places where everyone is welcomed and no one is excluded. Whatever the need, be it for education or entertainment, no one is denied access. 8. Librarians are great resources for helping in finding the exact information that is needed. Not quite sure where to find the famous quote written by Einstein about God and Science? Librarians know where to find it and verify if it's correct. 7. Without libraries, great works of literature might never have been discovered or preserved. Can you imagine a life without the great works of Shakespeare, Austen or Twain? Neither can we! 6. Libraries are the first place where toddlers can dissever the joy of reading together. Storytimes are excellent opportunities to introduce children to soil groups and wells reading. Sharing Stories is always a good thing. 5. Books are the records of civilization. Who better to preserve the stories of who we are and where we've been. Fiction or non-fiction every book holds the key to our past, present and future. Without libraries histories would be lost. 4. Libraries offer the tools and resources needed to rebuild a career or helping someone get back on their feet. In hard economic times libraries offer the "hope" that things can get better. 3. Librareis offer a unique opportunity for anyone to self-educate themselves. It is the first DIY institution. 2. Librarians often find themselves between wanting to give more and not having enough funds to get the job done. Yet, it is amazing that librarians have found ways to do more with less. 1. If it wren't for libraries, there wouldn't be a bright future for children who dare to dream. Every child that walks into the door of a library is one who aspires to do great things. Some wish to be doctors, some firemen and some even think it might be cool to be a librarian. Whatever their dreams, they find the means to make it possible by reading books, finding answers and exploring bookshelves loaded with books waiting to be discovered. If reading this seems a little over the top, we beg to differ. We know it's true at least for one little girl. She became Mrs. Nowc Librarian at large.