Book rental service
Book rental services let people borrow books instead of buying them. They come in many forms—from public and private libraries to online stores that rent books.
A quick history
Libraries have lent books for thousands of years. The earliest libraries appeared around 2600 BC in ancient Sumer. Today, most lending is done by public libraries run by local governments. They usually lend for free and are funded by taxes, donations, or the state. Public libraries are open to everyone and are run by civil servants, staff, or volunteers. Some of the largest libraries are the Library of Congress and the British Library.
Private libraries also lend books. They are run by individuals, clubs, universities, or companies and usually require a membership.
Before mass production, books were very expensive, so some shops rented books, such as the kashi-hon libraries in Japan.
Modern book rental
In many countries, for‑profit rental services lend physical books, e‑books, and audiobooks online or in stores, often with doorstep delivery. Many use a Netflix‑style model with unlimited rentals, free shipping, and no late fees.
How they are categorized
- By rental method: physical books, e‑books, and audiobooks.
- By provider: public libraries, private libraries, or university/enterprise libraries.
Licensing note
E‑book rights are different from physical book rights, so some small companies can’t rent e‑books from large publishers because licensing fees are high.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 02:00 (CET).