I made the effort and took the time to download my Kindle books. What I see in Finder doesn’t identify the books. Should I copy these files to my Kindle Archive folder or am I in the wrong location? I’m running sequoia 15.3.1.
Finder Path:
Files:
I followed this How to bulk download Kindle files, while you can – Six Colors and got proper book titles etc. 880 books
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Thanks for that information, but unfortunately, I have none of this: “You will need some Terminal know-how.” It is a bit above my “tech pay grade.” 
That looks like you downloaded the books using the Kindle app on the Mac. Do you have an e-ink Kindle?
I did download from the Kindle app. I could not find a way to do so online. I do not have an e-ink Kindle. I use the Kindle app on my iPad.
I could be wrong, but from my testing last week I unfortunately don’t think those will do you any good. It’s not just the lack of details about what’s what, but that I couldn’t find anything that could remove the drm from that type of download. It can work (so I read) on windows, but it does not (so I read) on macOS. Our only option is the type of download intended for a hardware kindle device.
Sorry for the bad news and someone please correct me if I’m wrong.
The lack of an e-ink Kindle is the issue.
When I was experimenting last week, I tried downloading from the Kindle app on Mac, just to see what it looked like. It looked exactly like your screenshot. The files were unidentifiable, and Calibre had no idea what to do with them.
But with an application like OpenMTP, an e-ink Kindle can be mounted as an external drive. Files and folders will be easily identifiable, and Calibre handles them with no problem. That provides a usable backup in Amazon’s format. If you need or want to remove DRM from books you’ve purchased, you can use the Kindle’s serial number in the appropriate tools.
Using an e-ink Kindle to get the books this way should continue to work even after tomorrow’s download deadline. It’s only website downloads that are going away.
As I mentioned here before (possibly in this thread — I don’t really remember), Unclaimed Baggage is a good place to pick up an older Kindle if you don’t want to buy new. (I’ve no affiliation with them. I’ve just had good luck with them picking up an inexpensive Kindle for trade in purposes.)
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Thanks for taking the time to explain why what I have is not going to work
I’m not that concerned. I plan to be in the Amazon book ecosystem indefinitely, so I will probably always have access to my books. And, even if the worst happens, I have all of my book highlights and notes exported to DEVONthink, so I’ll always have what is most important.
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Yes, that seems to be the issue. I’ll just move along and continue using the Kindle app on my iPad. It is meeting my needs and I doubt I’ll lose access to my books. 
Thanks for the thorough reply, much appreciated!
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Heads up its not just Eink Kindle. You could also use a Kindle fire as well. I had one in the past and it still shows up on my Amazon account.
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I appreciate the heads up. I’ve used a Kindle in the past, but given that I have an expensive M4 iPad, I can’t justify (to my wife ) purchasing another device to read on. I know my limits. 
Currently trying to offload my iPad so that I can go all in on Eink. I have a Kindle and an iPad Air. I want the Remarkable and and a Kobo next round.
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How? I completely missed this news and today is the last day apparently…
I also only have Apple devices (iPhone, iPad, Mac) as Kindle devices.
How can I save / back up my purchases?
Go to the Amazon website and find your digital purchases. You should be able to hit “download and transfer to USB” on each book.
Apparently, this can only be done if you have a Kindle device: Go to the 2 minute mark on this video:
I tried to download to my Mac. It cannot be done.
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Even ahead of the deadline, I don’t think that option will be there unless you have an eligible Kindle device. That option’s been gone for me for since early January, when I traded in an older Paperwhite for a Colorsoft. So far as I know, the Colorsoft and the current Paperwhite have never had the download and transfer option.
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Wow, I never thought I’d feel “rich” in services in New Hampshire (zero income tax and the motto “Live Free or Die”). But my library in my town of 600 people can get free inter-library loan of physical books from any library in the state including the University. I’ve ordered some pretty obscure academic books and have been amazed when they showed up a week later and I could keep them for several weeks. So I’m counting my blessings.
I am in Kentucky (a demonstrably not rich state) and I have never heard of Libraries charging fees for the cards. Only thing my Library charges for are late fees and Tote Bags.
Interlibrary loans are usually free but they’re expensive for libraries. Providing free ILL averages out to around $20/book for the library. Some books are pretty expensive to obtain, especially if it’s your library’s first request from the lending library and/or the book is somewhat valuable.
Providing ILL is essential missional work and part of the academic roots of libraries so most don’t charge for standard ILL, but they reserve the right.
Financially strapped districts far from most libraries will be passing on more of the fees and admin overhead.
Also, remember that if you’re too late returning your ILL, you can get your local library blocked or at least carefully reviewed by the lending library.
The option is there but I can (indeed) not use it because I don’t have physical Kindle devices (hence my question).