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An observation re-DVDs
how about the various film guides - I don't know if the Millennium Library stocks these or has them readily available but they can provide a help.
 
This does raise an interesting point though - more and more people are using DVD subscription libraries (LoveFilm, TimeOut etc) where you get sent a number of DVDs  and each time you return one another is mailed. As far as I am aware they don't allow you to select titles, just genre/director/actor etc on the basis that the sub stays the same whether you watch three a month or 30 so if you don't like the film you simply return it unwatched or partly watched and get another. Most people I know who subscribe like the 'unlimited' nature of the offer, the fact they don't have to worry about due dates and, most importantly, the convenience of the postal service. So where does that leave the library DVD collections?
-----Original Message-----
From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Hill, Michael
Sent: 09 January 2006 17:29
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [LIS-PUB-LIBS] An observation re-DVDs

This might be a Friday comment - so any responses can be reserved for a quiet moment then.

As Terry Wigan says "Is it me?". Am I alone in my inability to select a DVD from the vast range available in the Millennium Library in Norwich? If they were books, then as I browse - being attracted by whatever whimsy (author, title, the (sorry!) artwork on the jacket, general classification (spy, sea, crime, etc)) - I can confirm my choice by examining a few paragraphs, looking at the author's biography, reading the blurb, considering the list of other publications. The library even has helpful staff who can point me towards books / authors similar to the one I last enjoyed.

With DVDs there is nothing except marketing hype on the covers to aid you at the shelf. They are organised by alphabetical order of title. I tend not to know the writers, am vaguely aware of producers/directors, have heard of some actors (whether super-stars or otherwise). I suspect though that even if I did know it would not help me in my selection! Even my memory is of little help - since I can barely recall the last blockbuster title let alone what it is about! So, unless the content is known beforehand, I'm on my own and effectively taking lucky dip.

So, "Is it me"? What's to be done?

Happy Monday

Michael


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