Kindle in Library Program
Amazon said last week that some time before the end of the year Kindle owners will be able to borrow books from public libraries. Working with vendor OverDrive, which manages e-book lending for the vast majority of public libraries, the deal will make thousands of titles available via more than 11,000 of OverDrive's public library partners.
Ingram, Recorded Books in Deal
Ingram is teaming with Recorded Books to launch a new downloadable audio service for libraries. Ingram will move its downloadable audio content to Recorded Books' new OneClickdigital platform, with the transition being completed sometime in the second quarter. Ingram will add just under 14,000 digital spoken-word audio titles, mostly from its MyiLibrary audio service, to Recorded Books' digital library. Although Recorded Books has not yet released all the details about OneClickdigital, the deal with Ingram positions Recorded Book to compete with OverDrive in the digital audiobook space.
Disappointing Courier Quarter
In disclosing disappointing second-quarter results for the period ended March 26, Courier said the Borders bankruptcy contributed to a decline in its publishing group sales while also hurting results in the manufacturing group. In addition, Courier took a write-down of $750,000 to cover Borders's bad debt. The Borders bankruptcy was not the only event that affected Courier. The closing of its Stoughton, Mass., plant, which printed paperbacks, resulted in a onetime charge to earnings. As a result, Courier reported a net loss in the quarter of $4.8 million compared to earnings of $1.4 million in last year's second quarter. Without the charges, net income would have been $350,000. Revenue in the period rose 6%, to $62.7 million.
Kobo Gets More Funding
E-book and e-reader retailer Kobo received $50 million in new financing last week, including $13 million from its majority shareholder, Indigo Books and Music. Kobo said it will use the money to continue its international expansion.
Penguin Still Behind Mortenson
After a damning exposé on 60 Minutes a week ago, in which Greg Mortenson's charity, Central Asia Institute, and his two memoirs, Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools, were called into question, the author's publisher had not announced any plans to recall books or change text. Penguin's Viking imprint, which published the books, said the company is "reviewing the entire situation." Penguin's Dial imprint also has a children's book from Mortenson scheduled for November, Listen to the Children: The Story of Dr. Greg and Stones into Schools.
Borders Bonuses Approved
The judge overseeing the Borders's bankruptcy case approved a modified plan for both the Key Employee Incentive Plan for five senior managers and 10 additional managers, and the Key Employee Retention Plan, which covers 25 critical employees.