Setting up a Family Library allows Kindle users to share eBooks, audiobooks, apps, and games with family members. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set it up and start sharing Kindle content.
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What is the Amazon Family Library?
The Amazon Family Library is a feature that lets you share digital content like Kindle eBooks with eligible family members in your household. Here are some key things to know:
- You can share content between two adults and up to four children per household.
- To use it, you need to set up an Amazon Household and enable sharing.
- Family Library lets you share apps, games, audiobooks, and Kindle eBooks.
- It works across Kindle e-readers and the Kindle app on iOS, Android and more.
Step 1: Set Up an Amazon Household
To share Kindle books using the Family Library feature, you first need to create an Amazon Household. Here’s how:
- Go to Amazon Household and login.
- Click “Add Adult” to create a Household with another adult account.
- Enter their name and email address.
- They’ll need to login and verify their account.
You can also add up to 4 children’s profiles to your Household. This allows you to share content with teens and monitor children’s reading.
Step 2: Enable Family Library Sharing
Once your Amazon Household is set up, you need to enable sharing:
- Go to Manage Your Content and Devices.
- Click on Preferences.
- Under Households and Family Library, choose Manage Your Family Library.
- Toggle Sharing to On for categories like Kindle eBooks.
Enabling sharing means all eBooks will be shared by default. You can also selectively share titles later.
Step 3: Add Kindle eBooks to Your Family Library
To share specific Kindle books rather than your entire library:
- Go to Manage Your Content and Devices > Content.
- Select eBooks you want to share.
- Click Add to Library and choose family members.
Once shared, the Kindle books will appear in your family members’ libraries.
Family members can read shared Kindle eBooks on:
- Their Kindle e-readers
- Kindle reading apps for iOS, Android and more
- The Kindle Cloud Reader on web browsers
The books will remain available in your library too. Family members can download titles or read them directly in the cloud.
Tips for Sharing Kindle Books
Here are some additional tips:
- Monitor children’s reading with educational goals and time limits.
- Revoke access to shared Kindle books at any time.
- Use Kindle FreeTime to create child profiles and share age-appropriate content.
- Both adults must share a payment method to use the Family Library.
- Amazon Prime membership is not required, just an Amazon account.
The Amazon Family Library makes it easy to access more content and share your favorite reads with family members. With just a few steps, you can start sharing Kindle books today.
My Experience Setting Up Family Sharing
As an avid Kindle user for over 5 years, I’ve utilized the Family Library feature extensively to share books with my wife and two kids.
Here are some things I’ve learned from first-hand experience:
- Set up an Amazon Household first. This links accounts.
- Share your entire library to start. Selective sharing can come later.
- Use FreeTime to make child profiles and control reading time/content.
- Lend individual books instead of sharing to maintain ownership rights.
- Revoke lending/sharing if you don’t want someone to read a book anymore.
- Share new book purchases right away using 1-click sharing button.
- Remind family members to return borrowed Kindle books when done reading.
The Family Library has enabled my family to access and share hundreds of Kindle books instantly. It’s a feature I would highly recommend to any regular Kindle user with a family.
While setup takes a bit of work, the effort is well worth it. With an Amazon Household established, sharing books is easy and intuitive. Family Library allows for worry-free lending within a household.
