Library Stuff

Library Journal has an update

Oakland Tribune – “City libraries soon will offer a new borrowing system that borrows from Netflix, the mail-based, no-late-fee movie rental service. For a monthly fee, library users will be able to check out a limited number of materials for an unlimited amount of time. The optional system will eliminate due dates and overdue fees, asking for money upfront in return for no worries later. Pricing would begin at $2.99 a month for up to three items out at a time.”

Will people pay to rent books?

Seth Godin – “[W]hile a few passionate people may wish for handbags or jewelry or books or watches to be available this way, none of them are even close to matching the dynamic of Netflix.”

Great news today:

"In what would be a first in the United States, the Brooklyn Public Library hopes to team up with Netflix to deliver DVDs and videos to anyone in the borough with a library card, The Post has learned.  The price would be unbeatable – free."

But, keep reading and you’ll see….

"Netflix spokesman Steve Swasey said he knew nothing about a possible partnership with the library and seemed surprised by the news."

Doh!  I hope that this deal doesn’t fall through and get the hopes up of the many library users in Brooklyn.  Fingers crossed.

Update:  Michael has more.