Regarding A/V income in libraries, Jackie Mennis at Slough wrote: '... we had seen steady rises year on year until we peaked in 04-05. The decline is now spiralling despite many creative attempts '
I'd like to invite responses please to my thoughts below, which ask for a joined-up approach to DOWNLOADING in public libraries:
"Yes it's a downward spiral because the market place is changing dramatically now. Formats are changing, file sharing is taking over and methods of delivering media is getting a digital overhaul. Libraries joined in to the 'high street' method of hiring items out to users but it's not been our main duty or reason for being. Retailers are also suffering from the downturns in CD sales. Tesco, with it's giant presence has taken other company's revenues maybe (through their diversification programme) but probably still don't make the profits they want.
CDs and DVDs will be around for a while. But:
We need to diversify to some extent too.The People's Network (along with at-home internet access via your library membership number) is the tool to enable us to continually develop electronic resources, including music and film downloads. But I ask the panel again: who will front the approach to enable libraries to offer downloading opportunities (MP3s etc) at specific prices, through partnership with dedicated sites - and make it an offer that is competitive! Like libraries achieved with vinyl and then CDs through the LA. - albeit with the 3month holdback.
'Downloads via library membership': It will be a political decision because we will have to side with agreed partners on such a project. Please can I ask for responses on this point of 'paid-for (and free) downloads via library membership' - are we (CILIP etc) making any progress as a national body please? I'm sorry I don't know the detail of such an approach, but I know we can't all try and find the solutions individually. It's power in numbers surely. We have to future-proof the end of disc-hire, somehow."
Many thanks,
Ben Wallis
Ben Wallis
Trading Services Officer, Bristol Libraries,
Bristol Central Library
College Green,
Bristol,
BS1 5TL
Tel. (0117) 9037393; mob. 079-855-48255
e-mail me: [log in to unmask]
Browse our web pages: www.bristol-city.gov.uk/libraries
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