Psst. Wanna know a secret? The majority of public libraries have a vast DVD collection - new and classic; major studio releases and indie films. Seriously, they have 'em and just like the books, they're free. However, don't expect to find Blu-ray or HD DVD titles just yet, not in
New York 's public library system at least. We can see where David Callahan of the Donnel Library in
Manhattan is coming from when he states that it is simply too big of an investment to be wrong. Many libraries are having a tough time these days with lower funding due to lower demand so we don't expect public libraries to stock high-def titles just yet. Once they do though, you can bet we're going to dig up our old library card and pray there isn't an old missing book charge.
[pic via Wikipedia]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
tranzparentl @ Aug 29th 2007 11:52AM
No shit. If Libraries started stocking HD movies right now I think it would be a huge waste of taxpayer dollars.
Xyzzy @ Aug 29th 2007 1:12PM
I think it's a waste to stock regular movies, to be honest... Maybe the indie films, but mainstream movies? No way.
Landlocked @ Aug 29th 2007 2:06PM
Correct me if I'm wrong...but don't most libraries get donated DVDs from stores and rental places that are no longer used?
FOL @ Aug 29th 2007 2:29PM
Libraries I've dealt with purchase movies, etc. new just like they do with books. Perhaps some smaller libraries take donations, but I don't know of any. Many libraries take reserves over the phone or on-line, as well as calling you when they arrive. It's like the Blockbuster program, but free (after tax dollars, etc.)!
One interesting tidbit--a friend of mine who works in the circulation department at a local library remarks that DVDs actually average fewer circs before retirement than VHS tapes did. This seems odd given that playing tapes involves stress on the tape itself; no physical contact is involved in playing DVDs.
The problem is the DVD case. If a disc becomes "unsnapped", if you will, it jostles all around on the inside, getting scratched up and eventually becoming unreadable. If studios redesigned the case to conform more to the disc's actual dimensions (think CDs), perhaps it would be cheaper for libraries and rental corps to stock their movies? The reason DVD cases are the size they are is so they line up nice with VHS tapes; why perpetuate a wasteful form factor any further?
Dan @ Aug 29th 2007 3:27PM
From some inside information, I am aware of at least 1 central Ohio library system currently planning a deployment of HD-DVDs/Blu-Rays (Don't know which format yet.) I personally would be more willing to lay down the $$$ for a player knowing that the library systems are planning on gradually rolling it out.
Stocking HD-DVDs/Blu-rays would not be a huge waste of taxpayers money. Many times the libraries are buying new printed matter that has circulation next to zero and is checked out maybe once a year. Libraries investing in new High-Def formats would be a great source for new circulation. Currently many libraries in the US give the least amount of funding to A/V Materials and yet that is their current source of the highest circulation numbers. Circulation is the metric that judges wheather or not a library stays open, gets funding, etc. If libraries have become reliant on this system of media circulation, why not embrace new formats? It will sure as heck bring in more use than that nature book that has been sitting on the shelf for 8 years without anyone checking it out.
h0mi @ Aug 29th 2007 6:06PM
I think it would be a good investment for libraries to stockpile titles like blue planet, etc. Assorted educational titles.
Classic movies wouldn't be a bad idea either.