Good sense as ever from Linda
But of course she was one of the 'Bright Young things David refers to, who
contributed to the attached look at the future.
As with all things libraries, we seem to talk about it a lot, but change not
so much, and in small clusters. Why not think Nationally, and get away from
these councils and councilors, who get allocated the library brief often as
the as the short stick, and not out of a passion for libraries.
f
Frances Hendrix
Martin House Farm, Hilltop Lane, Whittle le Woods, Chorley, Lancs PR6 7QR,
UK
tel: 01257 274 833. fax: 01257 266 488
email: [log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Linda Berube" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2010 12:11 PM
Subject: Re: Hands off our libraries!
Hello
I have never liked the Amazon comparison although I think there are a few
things to be learned from it, and one that is especially pertinent for
public libraries: the LoveFilm offer. With Amazon, you can buy the film or
rent it through LoveFilm (see
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/subs/rentals/list-page/list.html). There are a
number of subscription deals as well as certain rules to ensure (as best
they can) the return of the material. Interestingly enough, no late fees.
So why not with books? Buy it new, buy it used, or check it out from your
nearest public library? If libraries are really serious about being part of
the digital environment and can acknowledge that there is quite a bit of
competition for like services out there, they will have to change their
business and service model--collectively, not one at a time.
How could libraries offer something like this? Not by being Amazon, with
the warehouse model (although we did talk about that a bit while Co-East was
something of a force in the East of England), but by adopting the Interflora
franchising model of service delivery. In other words, put in your request
through Amazon to check the book out, and the request gets routed to the
nearest library. Subsciption services on line can be structured for
sustainability and perhaps some income generation; local users coming
through library doors still check the books out without charge.
Jo John and I even came up with a name and a slogan: Don't be a plonker,
PLinc it! (as in Public Libraries Inc) I have gone into it in a bit more
detail in my book "Do You Web 2.0?" (ruthless self-promotion, I know.
Please don't hold it against me). By the way, Co-East also came up with a
concept for a somewhat related service, an e-books commons, and we were
working on user interaction as well as a collaborative e-book offer with
Overdrive. Unfortunately, according to some people at the time, an idea
before its time.
Risks are enormous, but judging from this spirited discussion so are the
stakes.
Linda Berube
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