Eugene Library adds thousands of Kindle titles

EUGENE, Ore. - There are many ways to download books from the library, but Kindle users complained they didn't have access.

All that changed last week.

"Last Wednesday when Kindle books first became available (at the Eugene Library), at the moment they were available there were 11,000 titles," said Connie Bennett, the library director. "So just like that they turned the switch."

Bennett said this gives libarary card holders one more way to borrow an e-book. A best seller that costs you $10 at Amazon can now be downloaded to a Kindle for free.

Bennett said libraries have been struggling with the growing demand for e-books for some time.

"Libraries and the whole publishing industry is trying to find out how to meet that need," she said.

As with the introduction of any new technology, the library said the challenge is training the staff so they can help borrowers. She said the trouble is more than worth it.

"The library's mission is to connect to the ideas and information, whatever format," she said.