Sharing is caring for others. But by keeping a copy of your books, music CDs or other items to yourself while sharing will mitigate the pain of letting that valued possession go. This is the difference between sharing a printed hardcover or paperback and an electronic book (or e-cook). Moreover, printed books cannot be shared with multiple people, all at the same time. However, e-books have no such restrictions, especially those shared over Amazon Kindle Family Library.

Everything you need to know about Kindle Family Library

Kindle Family Library is designed to facilitate sharing content with people in your ‘Household’ having Kindle-compatible devices and apps. So, what Kindle Family Library is and how you can set it up.  

What is Kindle Family Library?

Amazon has rolled out an update in November, 2014 to enable you to create a Kindle Family Library. Once you create a ‘Household’ in Kindle Family Library, you can link Amazon accounts to share what you love on Kindle. The best part of it is that not just books, you can share any type of content over Kindle Family Library including –

• E-books
• Audiobooks
• Music
• Game
• Magazines and newspapers
• Newsstand subscriptions
• Software downloads
• Apps that you like.

Oh yes, and let’s not forget – your credit cards too. That’s right – Amazon lets you share credit card with people in Family Library – whether spouse, parents, siblings or just great minds that think alike! You can simply authorize them using saved credit card details and let them purchase anything on Amazon. Isn’t it a fascinating way to create Household on Kindle Family Library to keep sharing and spreading love? Then, let’s get started and set up Kindle Family Library now. Trust me, it is easy.                   

Things to check before Kindle Family Library setup

First things first: before you begin with Family Library setup, you need to meet some technical requirements. You must ensure that intended people are using Kindle Family Library-compatible devices such as –

• Kindle Touch
• Kindle Voyage
• Kindle Paperwhite 1st Generation
• Kindle Paperwhite 2nd Generation
• Kindle Paperwhite 7th-Generation
• Kindle Fire
• Kindle Fire HD
• Kindle Fire HD 8.9”
• Kindle Fire HDX
• Kindle Fire HDX 8.9”
• Kindle Fire HD 6
• Kindle Fire HD 7
• Kindle Fire HDX 8.9

Following tips will help how to check if your device is compatible.  

1. If you are yet unsure if the intended device is compatible with the service, then navigate to Amazon's Family Library compatibility page to check compatibility.
2. If your Kindle supports the service, then you need to ensure that is equipped with the latest software updates. If you have set automatic updates, then latest updates will be installed automatically. To verify latest updates, you need to check with device settings if the number of latest version matches with the version found under the settings. If it doesn’t match, then install the update before you set up.  

Currently, Amazon restrains its circle of "household" on Kindle Family Library within two adults and up to four children. Each adult member requires own accounts, however, children’s accounts can be part of those two adult accounts. Being adult users, you need to grant permissions to each other in using payment details linked to their accounts.

Quick steps to set up and share Kindle Family Library

1. Login with your Amazon account.
2. Next, swipe from top to the bottom of the screen on your own Kindle device which will be the admin and manage Family Library settings.
3. Next, select ‘Settings’
4. Tap or select ‘Profiles & Family Library’ option.
5. Select ‘Add Adult’
6. Now, give the device to the respective person whose account you are creating.
7. Nonetheless, you can also furnish the online form on their behalf. Add your preferred e-mail address you want to use.
8. Type in the password of his/her account
9. Select ‘Continue’ to create the account.
10. Then, follow on-screen instructions to authorize the sharing, payment details and other required details to enable sharing. Here, you can choose the type of content you want to share via Kindle Family Library.  
11. After selection, you have to navigate to the ‘Books’ section on Kindle.
12. Find ‘Sort’ option on Kindle.
13. There you will see two sections called ‘My Books’ and ‘Shared Books’ sections to find content you had and all shared content via ‘Household’ of Kindle Family Library.

Every time, your spouse, family or friends share a book, music, game, app or any other content, you will receive a notification mail to the associated email address asking you to confirm content shared on ‘Household’. Once you confirm, you will see the item displayed under ‘Shared Books’.

Now you are ready to share and pass on e-books with your children and next generation so that they can read on their tablet and e-reader on the go. So, get started and share your new electronic ‘Household’ on Kindle Family Library with us – we are keen to hear.