One of the reasons that libraries have been able to remain successful ventures through good times and bad is their willingness and ability to change with the times. A perfect example of this can be seen through a new program being implemented by the Hayward Public Library in California. When folks in “The Earthquake Capital of The World” are not hanging on from the latest tremor, they can be hanging on to their library books for as long as they like.
Following the Netflix model, the Hayward Public Library is implementing a voluntary program that allows patrons to pay a monthly fee and return their books whenever they like – with no late fees. Patrons can pay from $2.99 to $8.99 per month for up to ten books – no due dates, no overdue fees. The program is completely voluntary and participants can cancel at any time.
A lot of libraries around the country will be keeping an eye on this program. It really is a shining example of a library’s ability to adapt and change. There was even an article recently in the New York Times about how libraries are morphing the concept of fees and fines. Some libraries are even accepting canned goods in lieu of fines. Good on them, I say.
Other library thoughts:
A Library Rant
I’m driving down the road the other day and I hear this news story about how the recession and these tough economic times are spelling doom for libraries around the country as they end up on the budgetary chopping blocks before most any other government expenditure. So, as soon as I get to a computer I go to the Foxnews site (the report was on Fox radio news) and try to find the article online. No luck. Okay, I Google “Library Recession” and all ten of the top results are articles describing how recessions are good for libraries. Patronage is up as the newly unemployed use the library to update their resume, search for jobs and cheapen their entertainment budget. What the…?
Let me get this straight. More folks are using (and in need of) the services being provided by a facility, yet these facilities are often the first to get cut by short sighted and dim witted politicians and bureaucrats.
Ridiculous.
In the interest of full disclosure, I work at the Wasilla Meta Rose Public Library. My job isn’t in danger ( we have a very supportive local government)
One More Library Bit:
It’s kind of a cool program that the Wasilla Meta Rose Public Library has just implemented. The Iditapage Challenge is challenging our patronage to collectively read one million pages before the first musher crosses the finish line in Nome, sometime in March. Frankly, I am amazed at how this program has rocketed off the ground. The patronage is very much into the challenge and the kids are digging it as much as the adults. The way it looks now, I think they’re going to do it!
Back To You
So, do you have thoughts about the bookflix concept? What about the library/recession thing? Iditapage? I’d love to hear what you have to say.
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Well, the Netflix approach might be a very good thing for libraries.
However, my local DC library may have only a copy or two of book. So if a person is allowed to keep it without a due date, how will others be able to have access to book?
.-= Marisa Birns´s last blog ..Gasp! =-.
Hi Marisa,
That is a very valid point. I’m sure it’s bound to be a bug-a-boo with the system. There is a bit of a debate in library circles about how to handle issues just like that. Also, while most patrons are honest, upstanding folk, what about the person who decides they will just pay the 8.99 and go pick out the ten books they want to add to their collection?
Thanks for coming by. I’ll bet this will be an interesting discussion.
George
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@Marisa: That’s a good question! Hmmm….
@George: Thanks for all your librarian thoughts.
I think the Bookflix idea is cool. But, like Marisa asks, what about the number of copies available? What are your thoughts on that? Cross that bridge when we come to it?
Anyway, I gave this a stumble and review – great work!
*smiles*
Michele
.-= Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl´s last blog ..Vita-Mix Giveaway at Chocolate-Covered Katie’s Blog! =-.
Hi Michele, and thanks!
I think that it will be one of those things that gets sorted out after a trial period. It definitely is an experiment worth watching tho.
Cheers!
George
Great post George.
Not sure how the library works in your part of the world but here in Ireland it may be a little different. I joined with my daughter last year when she started school. It was free for her and €5 for me. We are allowed to choose 10 books each and we get to keep them for three weeks. If we need to keep them longer it can be done online or via phone. The only time you can’t keep the books is if someone else is waiting for them. This system works really well and three weeks is plenty of time for us to get through our books.
I don’t think I would like the idea of having to pay every month for the library especially considering I don’t have to pay at all now. I also agree with the other people who have commented and think that more planning needs to go into this project.
Amanda
.-= Amanda Evans´s last blog ..14 Places To Find Freelance Writing Jobs in 2010 =-.
Hi Amanda,
Participation is strictly voluntary. Patrons can still do things the regular way and pay the fines if they are late. This program will be a boon to those folks who – with the best of intentions – have some difficulty in getting their books back on time. Interestingly enough, the biggest offenders of not bringing books on time are… Library staff!
George
I like the concept of Bookflix…I always have a hard time getting the books back on time, and usually end up paying some fines. Honestly I don’t mind the fines at all becuase I know they go to a good cause (keeping the library open), so if I had a choice I would do the monthly subscription – it’d be like paying my fines up front without all the akward “oh hey, yeah I need to pay a few fines today” conversation. Everyone wins!
Matt
.-= Matt | Small Biz Bee´s last blog ..New HR Management Tool for Small Businesses =-.
Matt, you are the man – in so many ways. You are specifically the type of patron to whom a program like this is targeted. That pesky (and awkward) fines conversation could be a thing of the past, and you can have the peace of mind knowing fines are not an issue for ya!
Cheers
George
I think that’s an awesome idea. I hope it works and that other libraries adopt it. While I’m not too far from Oakland, it’s a little far to go to check out a book. (Unless you worked there. Then I would totally drive to Oakland.) I’d love if my library adopted the policy. I almost always pay late fees. (I know, I’m bad.
Hey Judy,
Heck-a-rooski, I’d drive all the way to Oakland just to check you out! Err, I mean check your books out.
George
I still prefer to visit libraries sometimes because it create a nice atmosphere for me to learn more things. It is a place to see old and new books.
Lea,
Yup, nothing quite like the library. I love the organization, the quiet, the smell of the books – pretty much everything about it!
George
I’m for whatever will keep the library up and running, and employees paid. I love the library! But, I’m an uber-type-A geek and me returning a book late would surly mean public shame and humiliation. I MUST NOT BE LATE! If I’m not five minutes early, I’m late.
That’s an interesting concept, though, the analog to Netflix. I feel I have plenty of time to read a book during the rental period, but what happens when people hold on to books forever while someone out there is waiting for the same book? How does the library control waiting times for popular books? Just curious.
Finally, the Iditapage Challenge is one of the grooviest things I’ve heard about in a long time. How cool is that???!!??
Let me know how it turns out.
All x’s and oh’s~
Lori
(Your rocking your blog, George!)
.-= Lori´s last blog ..Your Body is a Fortress, Part 8 – Go Nuts! =-.
Hey Lori, you gooey, yummy, basket of writer all tied up in rainbow ribbons!
(Guess whooooo?)
Library staff are the WORST at being late. Truly.
The Iditapage challenge is rockin’! The whole patronage is SO into it. It’s been less that two weeks and we already have over 60,000 pages read!
In asking around, it sounds like the library can recall a book if another patron has put it on hold. It will be interesting to see how successful this program may be.
Cheers!
George
I know who you are, George! You’re my favorite writer!!
YOU ARE SOOO FUNNY!!
Your starship of rainbows sprinkles fairy dust over everyone and dips us in moonshine!
(Oops, did I say moonshine??)
.-= Lori´s last blog ..Front Porch: Only in Lance World =-.
Woot!
A dip in the moonshine! I’ll grab my trunks!
or maybe I won’t…
Hehe.
George
I think this is an interesting idea, George. In the UK, most libraries that I’ve used have extended borrowing periods and you can borrow lots of books, but I can see how in a system with short loans this might revitalize the library. Anything that gets more books to more people sounds good to me, but there’s definitely an issue to handle in terms of book stocks.
.-= Sharon Hurley Hall´s last blog ..Dragon NaturallySpeaking Review =-.
Hi Sharon,
I’ve asked our Library Director about the book stocks aspect and she agrees it could be a problem with this concept. At what point do you decide, “Okay this book is never coming back, let’s order a new copy.”?
I’ve decided to contact Hayward in a few months to see how it’s going and what issues have arisen.
George