The Library has just learned from a blog post on the Library Journal website that the publisher, Penguin Group USA, is no longer making available for public library users any Kindle format eBooks (article available here). Kindle format editions of Penguin eBook titles had recently been made available to Southern Adirondack Library System (SALS) users through the Library’s OverDrive platform.
SALS received no notification of this fact before it was implemented by Overdrive and Penguin USA. OverDrive has confirmed the details, stating on its Digital Library blog that the company was “instructed to suspend availability of new Penguin eBook titles from Library catalogs and disable Get for Kindle functionality for all Penguin eBooks.”
What this news means to SALS customers is that holds on Kindle format eBooks published by Penguin Group cannot be fulfilled at this time. We are hoping that in the near future OverDrive can restore access to Kindle editions of Penguin USA titles. EPUB and PDF versions of Penguin USA titles do remain available through the Overdrive platform and holds can be fulfilled in these formats. The Library apologizes for this service disruption for Kindle eBook users and we will provide additional information as it is received.
UPDATE:
November 23:
‘Get for Kindle’ for all Penguin eBooks in your catalog has been restored. Penguin titles are available for check out by Kindle users and the Kindle format will be available for patrons who are currently on a waiting list for a Penguin title. This does not affect new releases, which remain unavailable.