Just placed onto the wire, Amazon announced that it will commence library processing services.  According to the release, this will “enable its thousands of library customers to receive Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC) records and have books and other media they order from Amazon.com fitted with Mylar jackets, barcodes, and other essential preparation services.”  The release also pointed readers to an aggregate list of services provided for libraries.

These new services take direct aim at Alibris, who has done a great job courting and maintaining library business through its Alibris for Libraries program.  One of the great aspects of this program, and one that Amazon probably will never be able to touch, is its “real person” customer service - a big hit with many of the librarians with whom I’ve talked.  In addition, Alibris maintains a significant competitive advantage when it comes to stocking pre-ISBN books, something that may be a consideration for many libraries, especially academic ones.

There is no doubt Amazon will now begin burrowing its way further into this market.  How deep, and how fast, remains to be seen.