librifyTarget has announced it’s going to start offering ebooks through a partnership with Librify, according to USA Today.

Even though the new service is still a few months off, the announcement of the program seems interesting. First, BookExpo America is this week, so companies tend to make their big announcements around the event. However, we can’t get away from the Amazon vs. Hachette news – and customers looking for easier ways to get their books.

Partnering with Target gives Librify a big get, especially when it comes to marketing and reach.

From USA Today:

Librify, which started beta testing with select users in March, offers a social-subscription service for e-books. For $8.99 a month, you get access to a recommended book each month, and a 10%-20% discount on all other e-books. Librify has more than 500,000 titles available for purchase so far — that’s about half of what Amazon offers through the Kindle.

“From my experience in the publishing industry, there is a consumer need for a book club- like experience that allows readers to fit books into their full and busy lives,” said Joanna Stone Herman, CEO and co-founder, Librify. “We’re looking to satisfy the needs of aspirational readers who want to enjoy and engage more around books. Librify will make new releases and current best sellers easily accessible while also providing a membership platform.”

As negative attention focused on Amazon and Hachette over a supplier dispute, other companies may see an opening. After all, Amazon did encourage readers to purchase their books from competitors if they are in a rush to get physical books. But how many readers will be turned off by this dispute and want to do their business elsewhere?

That’s something that can’t be quantified at this point.

The biggest drawback, however, is that Librify only has about 500,000 ebooks in its catalog, which is not as much as Amazon offers.

It’s possible that I am overthinking this whole thing – it wouldn’t be the first time. However, in the simplest form, many brick and mortar-first companies are looking for ways to improve their online presence. Target making ebooks available is just another incentive to get people to shop there.

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