I remember tht when the Kindles first came out, that Amazon didn't have a deal with public libraries to download books. Now they do. And I know that the library Kindle/mobi eBook files have to be downloaded to a computer and then transfered to the Kindle.

A friend of a friend has a first generation Kindle, she's not sure if that Kindle is capable of reading library Kindle books. Is she just going on the outdated info that Kindles weren't capable of library eBooks because Amazon didn't have a deal with the libraries? Or is her version of the Kindle not capable of downloading them at all?

If the second is true, can she just convert them through Calibre, then transfer them to her Kindle and be able to read them that way? Which would be the best format to transfer them into? Mobi?

My friend wants to buy the Philly Public Library out of state library membership for her friend as a Christmas present. So she can't simply download a Kindle library eBook to that Kindle to test it out ahead of time.

Thanks.

We use the Philly library for our Kindles. (we do not have first generation).  If the publisher allows you can request the book from the library and then download it wirelessly via Amazon.  Only a few books I have tried to borrow cannot be done wirelessly.

does it have wi-fi or 3g capability?  if yes, then most of the books should be able to be downloaded this way because once you accept the loan from the library you are directed to Amazon's site to get the book.

Yes, all kindles work with the library lending because it goes through amazon.

Thanks gals! I'll let her know.