Author Topic: KOLL coming to an end in January (Read 2175 times) Tweet

barryem · « **on:** October 31, 2020, 01:51:07 pm »

I just saw this announcement in the Ereader Blog that Amazon is closing the Kindle Owners Lending Library on January 4th. Prime reading and Kindle Unlimited presumably won't be affected. Here's a link to the article:

https://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/2020/10/31/kindle-owners-lending-library-officially-ending-in-january/

Barry

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Ann in Arlington · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2020, 02:46:50 pm »

I seem to recall there were rumors earlier in the year but this seems a bit more certain.

I guess it's just one more thing to monitor. I kinda like it. Not going to pay for KU, but with KOLL, I can get most KU books anyway, albeit only one a month.

Oh well. No biggie, really.

FWIW, I have NOT gotten an email about it.

Linjeakel · « **Reply #2 on:** November 01, 2020, 09:47:48 am »

I suppose as you have to be a Prime member to get it and - if you are - you now have Prime Reading anyway which allows you to borrow all the same books without restriction, then it's pretty pointless keeping it going.

I'm a KU subscriber but I've noticed I haven't been using it as much as I should to get my money's worth, so I've been making a concerted effort to use it more for the next few months till I've read all the series I want to use it for and then I'll probably cancel it and just go with Prime Reading. The one or two books in KU I'll occasionally have to buy after that will probably amount to less than a KU subscription.

It's a shame that there isn't a wider choice in PR - but then I suppose no-one would pay for KU if there was.

Ann in Arlington · « **Reply #3 on:** November 02, 2020, 03:58:12 am »

Quote from: Linjeakel on November 01, 2020, 09:47:48 am

I suppose as you have to be a Prime member to get it and - if you are - you now have Prime Reading anyway which allows you to borrow all the same books without restriction, then it's pretty pointless keeping it going.

Except it's not the same selection of books. With KOLL, it's been my experience that you pretty much have access to the entire KU library, if only one a month. Prime Reading, though you can borrow up to 10 at a time, is a much smaller set that certainly intersects the KU set, but includes other books NOT in KU as well, some fairly big names. Like the Harry Potter books seem to rotate in and out of it. Of the KU books that are in Prime, presumably they're somewhat curated.

That said, I have a whole wish list of books that are in KU but most are NOT in Prime. They're mostly relatively inexpensive to buy, of course, but I prefer to start by borrowing if I can.

I had KU for a year and found that about half of what I borrowed was mediocre at best, so I'm not keen to plunk down cash on complete unknowns. But also not keen to pay for KU when there's so much I want to read that is NOT in the program for one reason or another.

I didn't recall that you have to be a Prime Member to use KOLL; thought it was just that you had to borrow using a kindle device vs using the kindle app. Not sure about that, though, as I am both, of course; I could be completely misremembering.

* (And there's no info on Amazon about it that I can find to confirm one way or the other -- which speaks to the article linked being accurate. OTOH, I don't think there has been for a while -- it's not been touted as a kindle device benefit for years.)

I suspect that there's a large overlap between the set of kindle owners and the set of Prime subscribers. I also suspect that there is a larger percentage of kindle readers who use the app. I prefer a dedicated eInk reading device, but I increasingly here from people that they're happy using an app on their tablet so don't see the point of buying a kindle device. And I wonder how many kindle owners have been regularly using KOLL? I bet it's a really small percentage, but also probably some of the longest tenured kindle customers.

FWIW, I was just able to borrow a KOLL book for November and it said I can borrow again in December. I guess we'll see what happens next month.

*edited to correct myself: did some research and KOLL did require both that you own an actual kindle device and be a Prime member.

Paperbackstash · « **Reply #4 on:** November 02, 2020, 08:20:10 pm »

I thought with Prime reading you could only borrow one book at a time, once per month. I know with KU it is 10 at a time.

Ann in Arlington · « **Reply #5 on:** November 03, 2020, 04:14:43 am »

Quote from: Paperbackstash on November 02, 2020, 08:20:10 pm

I thought with Prime reading you could only borrow one book at a time, once per month. I know with KU it is 10 at a time.

What you describe is KOLL -- Kindle Owners Lending Library. KOLL is a Prime benefit of owning an actual Kindle device; it was introduced in fall of 2011. Books available via KOLL were mostly ones published directly through Amazon. When KU began in 2014 or so, it essentially expanded KOLL as a subscription service and removed the 1 a month limitation. So the KOLL and KU catalogs are nearly exactly congruent. My recollection is they never pushed KOLL much and certainly since the introduction of KU haven't promoted it. My guess is it was a first effort to see if people would be willing to borrow books.

Then, in 2016 they introduced Prime Reading. Which was a different sort of expansion of KOLL. It operates more like KU but without a subscription (except that you have to be paying for Prime already). BUT does NOT include the whole KU catalog, which is HUGE -- like millions of titles. Rather, it has a catalog of something around 1000 which may include books by big name authors/publishers as well as magazines and comic books. The titles in the catalog do rotate in and out but once you've borrowed something you can keep it as long as you like. I have about 6 borrowed right now -- the oldest from April. You can hold up to 10 at a time.

I seem to recall discussion here, when Prime Reading was introduced, that it would mean the end of KOLL. But it's still been available all along. The main reason people don't know about it is that it is NOT promoted as a benefit of owning a kindle and hasn't been for years. Probably since they introduced KU -- of course they'd rather have people pay for a subscription. AND, you can't really find out about it on Amazon's website. You have to go in through your kindle (maybe a Fire qualifies) and navigate through the menu system to find the KOLL catalog. You're not likely to find it on your own, though -- you kind of have to know it's there. I would guess that anyone who didn't already own a kindle in 2011 and learned about it then, hasn't a clue.

The question remains: is KOLL really going away or not. The article mentioned in the OP says Amazon have started sending emails about it. So far, I've not gotten one and, as noted, I was able to borrow for November and was reminded I couldn't borrow again until December.

Linjeakel · « **Reply #6 on:** November 03, 2020, 08:39:44 am »

Quote from: Ann in Arlington on November 02, 2020, 03:58:12 am

Except it's not the same selection of books. With KOLL, it's been my experience that you pretty much have access to the entire KU library, if only one a month.

It's been a while since I've used KOLL so I didn't remember that - but if that's the case then it's a shame that they're phasing it out. As I said, I'm thinking of giving up my KU subscription in the next few months and, if I do, having that as a fall back would have been good. Timing is everything!

Andra · « **Reply #7 on:** November 03, 2020, 10:43:43 am »

KOLL never did much for me. It rarely takes me more than a day to read a book - so a single borrow in a month is tiny.
But I've been going through some different series in KU lately that are keeping me entertained. I buy 6 months or a year at a time when they have it on sale.

Ann in Arlington · « **Reply #8 on:** November 03, 2020, 11:01:16 am »

Quote from: Andra on November 03, 2020, 10:43:43 am

KOLL never did much for me. It rarely takes me more than a day to read a book - so a single borrow in a month is tiny.
But I've been going through some different series in KU lately that are keeping me entertained. I buy 6 months or a year at a time when they have it on sale.

I also read pretty quickly. But I have always grabbed my one a month because I can. Got plenty else to read from many other sources -- Prime reading, library borrows, and books I've bought* -- that it's no big deal to wait until the next month to borrow again.

*including many I bought ages ago and it's about time I get to reading them!

Paperbackstash · « **Reply #9 on:** November 08, 2020, 04:40:46 pm »

Quote from: Ann in Arlington on November 03, 2020, 04:14:43 am

What you describe is KOLL -- Kindle Owners Lending Library. KOLL is a Prime benefit of owning an actual Kindle device; it was introduced in fall of 2011. Books available via KOLL were mostly ones published directly through Amazon. When KU began in 2014 or so, it essentially expanded KOLL as a subscription service and removed the 1 a month limitation. So the KOLL and KU catalogs are nearly exactly congruent. My recollection is they never pushed KOLL much and certainly since the introduction of KU haven't promoted it. My guess is it was a first effort to see if people would be willing to borrow books.

Then, in 2016 they introduced Prime Reading. Which was a different sort of expansion of KOLL. It operates more like KU but without a subscription (except that you have to be paying for Prime already). BUT does NOT include the whole KU catalog, which is HUGE -- like millions of titles. Rather, it has a catalog of something around 1000 which may include books by big name authors/publishers as well as magazines and comic books. The titles in the catalog do rotate in and out but once you've borrowed something you can keep it as long as you like. I have about 6 borrowed right now -- the oldest from April. You can hold up to 10 at a time.

I seem to recall discussion here, when Prime Reading was introduced, that it would mean the end of KOLL. But it's still been available all along. The main reason people don't know about it is that it is NOT promoted as a benefit of owning a kindle and hasn't been for years. Probably since they introduced KU -- of course they'd rather have people pay for a subscription. AND, you can't really find out about it on Amazon's website. You have to go in through your kindle (maybe a Fire qualifies) and navigate through the menu system to find the KOLL catalog. You're not likely to find it on your own, though -- you kind of have to know it's there. I would guess that anyone who didn't already own a kindle in 2011 and learned about it then, hasn't a clue.

The question remains: is KOLL really going away or not. The article mentioned in the OP says Amazon have started sending emails about it. So far, I've not gotten one and, as noted, I was able to borrow for November and was reminded I couldn't borrow again until December.

TY for the clarification.

I don't use reading with Prime so I did not keep up with it as much, or the KOLL others are mentioning. That's a shame if it's ending and some readers find good use with it.

icanhaskindle · « **Reply #10 on:** November 09, 2020, 01:46:40 pm »

I just reread the announcement email from Amazon, and it says KOLL ends on January 4th. I expect that means I can still borrow a book in very early January. Hope they don't yank it away on the 4th if I'm not finished.

KOLL has been a big source of books for me. I generally read 2 or 3 books a month, with one of those from KOLL. KU has never looked cost effective for me since most of the KU selection, like KOLL, seems to be really cheap books. I would need to read a few more books per month to make it worthwhile. I've not been terribly impressed with the Prime Reading selection. Whenever I browse Prime Reading, I often can't find anything that fits my relatively narrow interests that I haven't already read.

I will mourn the loss of KOLL.

The Hooded Claw · « **Reply #11 on:** November 12, 2020, 03:37:00 pm »

I haven�t seen an email...I�ve actually been using KOLL lately, sorry to see it go!:(

Ann in Arlington · « **Reply #12 on:** January 02, 2021, 04:17:00 am »

FWIW, I was able to borrow via KOLL for January 2021.

crebel · « **Reply #13 on:** January 02, 2021, 04:42:40 am »

Quote from: Ann in Arlington on January 02, 2021, 04:17:00 am

FWIW, I was able to borrow via KOLL for January 2021.

I was not able to borrow via KOLL yesterday.

Ann in Arlington · « **Reply #14 on:** January 02, 2021, 05:05:54 am »

Quote from: crebel on January 02, 2021, 04:42:40 am

I was not able to borrow via KOLL yesterday.

Huh.

You tried from a kindle, right? You can't do it from the website.

crebel · « **Reply #15 on:** January 02, 2021, 06:30:55 am »

Quote from: Ann in Arlington on January 02, 2021, 05:05:54 am

Huh.

You tried from a kindle, right? You can't do it from the website.

Correct. Series I've been reading through KOLL. Just released book still listed as a KU choice, accessed book page from wish list on my Oasis2 (the way I have always done it). Read for Free not a choice except as KU. December book was returned mid-December and I double-checked just in case the "you must return previous borrow" message wasn't coming up.

Ann in Arlington · « **Reply #16 on:** January 02, 2021, 07:59:25 am »

Quote from: crebel on January 02, 2021, 06:30:55 am

Correct. Series I've been reading through KOLL. Just released book still listed as a KU choice, accessed book page from wish list on my Oasis2 (the way I have always done it). Read for Free not a choice except as KU. December book was returned mid-December and I double-checked just in case the "you must return previous borrow" message wasn't coming up.

Hmmm.

I don't subscribe to KU ... I wonder if that has something to do with it. In other words: if you have KU, KOLL is gone, but it will be ongoing for Prime members that don't have KU. Because: the KOLL catalog is basically the KU catalog as far as I can tell.

crebel · « **Reply #17 on:** January 02, 2021, 08:04:20 am »

I don't subscribe to KU either. Since KOLL started, however, a book being listed in KU has been the best indicator of it also being KOLL eligible.

icanhaskindle · « **Reply #18 on:** January 02, 2021, 09:25:20 am »

I borrowed a KOLL book yesterday (Jan 1) and chuckled when it told me I would be eligible to borrow my next KOLL book on Feb 1.

I've noted over the years that many KU titles are not KOLL titles, but all KOLL titles seem to also be in KU (if that makes sense). So keep checking those KU eligible books until you find one you can borrow with KOLL. But do it by Jan 3!

crebel · « **Reply #19 on:** January 02, 2021, 01:33:12 pm »

Okay, must just be me. I cannot find a book listed as a KOLL borrow from my Kindle this month. Someone give me a title you have borrowed for January so I can see what options it shows for me.

Ann in Arlington · « **Reply #20 on:** January 02, 2021, 06:12:18 pm »

Quote from: crebel on January 02, 2021, 08:04:20 am

I don't subscribe to KU either. Since KOLL started, however, a book being listed in KU has been the best indicator of it also being KOLL eligible.

I'd agree about availability. You do have Prime, right? I think that's also a requirement.

Quote from: crebel on January 02, 2021, 01:33:12 pm

Okay, must just be me. I cannot find a book listed as a KOLL borrow from my Kindle this month. Someone give me a title you have borrowed for January so I can see what options it shows for me.

the book I borrowed is called The Reversible Mask by Loretta Goldberg. Here's a link -- though I know it won't really help you, but you can at least see what the cover looks like to be sure you have the right book:

crebel · « **Reply #21 on:** January 03, 2021, 10:38:46 am »

Quote from: Ann in Arlington on January 02, 2021, 06:12:18 pm

I'd agree about availability. You do have Prime, right? I think that's also a requirement.

the book I borrowed is called The Reversible Mask by Loretta Goldberg. Here's a link -- though I know it won't really help you, but you can at least see what the cover looks like to be sure you have the right book:

Thanks, Ann! The Reversible Mask does come up as "Read Now Download with Kindle Lending Library" on my Oasis. Guess KOLL isn't gone after all, I just have to search harder for an option since KU eligible books by independent authors are not a failsafe method of adding future potential reads to my KOLL wish list.

barryem · « **Reply #22 on:** January 03, 2021, 05:49:27 pm »

I just took a look at the article I saw about KOLL ending and the date given was January 4th. Here's a link to the article:

https://blog.the-ebook-reader.com/2020/10/31/kindle-owners-lending-library-officially-ending-in-january/

I guess we'll know soon enough.

Barry

Fogeydc · « **Reply #23 on:** January 03, 2021, 06:51:17 pm »

I don't think I ever got that email notice, and IAC the KOLL is so hard to find that I haven't bothered to try in many months.
I borrowed very few books from there anyway.

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