// How can it be a "better deal" than free?
You currently have to be a "Prime" member with Amazon to use their loaner service. If I recall correctly, it is about $79 per year to be a Prime member. You can only loan one book at a time, one per week, and it must be on the approved list. The major publishers are not buying into the Amazon deal from what I have read.
The public library loaner program for Kindle and other ereaders is "free". Hence, a better deal.
Jeff
Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Kindle and Prime membership supporter. I read a lot of books, both on the Kindle and hard copy. I just don't think Amazon's loan program is a deal maker.