Online book rental is a service wherein users rent books via the internet. Users browse books online and have their choices home-delivered, rather than physically visiting a library to borrow a book. This e-commerce model is comparable to the video rental service provided Netflix.
In 2009, online book rental was gaining popularity in India, with a number of websites offering free doorstep delivery for a small monthly fee. The popularity of such websites can be attributed to increasing internet usage in the country; India is expected to have the third-largest number of internet users in the world by 2013.[1] Statistics for the publishing industry are also promising. India is the world's third-largest market for English books,[2] and its entire book market — in English, as well as regional languages — is estimated to generate Rs. 10,000 crore annually.[3] The online book market in India is expected to grow at 30–35% annually for the next five years.[4]
In the United States, Amazon.com offered a textbook rental system for students, but retired the program in 2022.[5]
- ^ India to have 3rd largest number of Internet users by 2013 – The Times of India. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2009-07-26). Retrieved on 2012-08-08.
- ^ Publishers look to China and India to help them weather recession | Books. The Guardian (2009-04-22). Retrieved on 2012-08-08.
- ^ Literary Review : New horizons, new challenges. The Hindu (2009-01-04). Retrieved on 2012-08-08.
- ^ Indian online book market pegged at Rs 59 crore; expected to grow by 35% a year. alootechie.com (2009-11-03).
- ^ Roemmich, Aubrey (3 May 2023). "Amazon Terminates Print Textbook Rental Services". Dakota Student. Retrieved 26 March 2024.