Future Of Libraries: Legal Providers Of Free Content

from the entertainment-industry-suing-libraries-next? dept

Tue, Jul 24th 2007 12:57pm — Mike Masnick

Quite often when there's a discussion about free content online someone will eventually bring up the library comparison, pointing out that libraries provide free access to books and it certainly never killed off the book business (though, there are still some publishers who mistakenly think that libraries are bad for business). At the same time, however, libraries have been struggling with how to update in order to be more relevant in this digital age. Well, apparently one area they could focus on is becoming the legal provider to all kinds of free content -- even beyond the areas of content they're already known for providing. This certainly won't endear libraries to the entertainment industry (at least those in the entertainment industry who are still convinced that their obsolete business model makes sense), but certainly could bring in plenty of younger folks who are interested in checking out the available content and experiencing new books, music, movies and data that would otherwise be difficult to access.

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team

Filed Under: content, copyright, free, libraries

20 Comments

If you liked this post, you may also be interested in...

Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread

Ben, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:19pm

Beyond the areas of content
What like music and movies? I remember borrowing records from our local library in the early '80s. Just had to get them before they really got scratched up. Guess my library was decades ahead of the others.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
hoeppner, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:27pm

our library has a bunch of movies, DVD's, and CD's for check out. along with a whole bunch of magazines that make better resources on papers than a handful of internet websites, or just for enjoyment reading on topics you've never thought to go over.

and if my college didn't already have access to databases they'd be great for that too... the only database/agent you can't find is a good one for recommending what to read next for your general fiction.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Michael Long, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:27pm

A physical location?
You mean, actually take the time to go and visit a real-world physical location that can only stock a fraction of the potential content available on its shelves?

How quaint.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Crysm, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:29pm

Libraries already lend movies
My local library system has been lending out movies and music to its members for a long time, albeit not completely free of charge. Movies that aren't free are $2 for a week, and I think CDs are a quarter. Still, it's cheaper than a rental store.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
spencermatthewp, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:33pm

You must be back east
I don't know how it is back there, but in the Northwest where I live you can't go to a library that doesn't have a huge selection of videos, DVDs, cassettes, CDs, and more. Not to mention a several (as in more than 10 in even a very small library) computers accessing the internet. It;s been that way for years here. I've checked out the entire first 4 seasons of 24 at the library (The first episode I saw on tv was in Season 5) Not to mention movies -- Talk about a cheap date night. The only problem is that since they are free to check out they are often checked out. Not to worry, just get on the waiting list (Hmmmm. sounds like Netflix but without the door to door delivery)

OH and get this, I've never been to a library and seen it empty. Because of all the free services, there is someone there using it all the time. Sounds like your libraries simply need to get caught up to the present, rather than thinking that this is the future.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Beck, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:41pm

Xerox
Why do libraries have copy machines?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
RoyalPeasantry, 24 Jul 2007 @ 1:48pm

I know my college is hooked into a large number of online information databases that you can't access without being a student. Libraries should get get hooked up the same way.

Most librarians I've met are experts at finding information on whatever topic a person might need. Instead of stumbling around looking for information on your own, go to a library and talk to people who do it all the time.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 2:15pm

Re: You must be back east
Huh, I live in the Northwest....maybe I should strat going to the library.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Streaker, 24 Jul 2007 @ 2:16pm

News flash! Libraries do not provide anything for "free". They are funded by tax dollars. It's always sad when someone refers to any government service as being free.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 2:19pm

Re:
Most librarians I've met are experts at finding information on whatever topic a person might need. Instead of stumbling around looking for information on your own, go to a library and talk to people who do it all the time.
Be careful what you ask about though. Everything you access in a public library that leaves a record can wind up in your FBI file. And without any explanation things can look a lot worse than you might imagine.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 2:22pm

UHLS
Where I am, not only can you borrow books, movies, CD, etc., but you can get them from other libraries as well. The entire area is linked together in one system. You go to uhls.org, look up the item you want, and they'll send it to your local library.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
kuru oujou, 24 Jul 2007 @ 2:23pm

Librarys already are
Libraries already are, for the most part, multi-content providers. At the local library here, there are about 40 computers in the children's area, and about 40 in groups in the adult stacks, along with a few scattered about for catalog lookup (not the old text-based system, it's actually a website that they have them set too, and you can search their stacks anywhere you want in the world if you have internet). It has tons of CD's, about as many as the local...er...ex-cd store (it went out recently due to lack of business). It has a section for VHS and DVD's that's huge, and even a section for software. (although they don't have a lot of software yet). It has all sorts of media. The other libraries that I have been too also have most of this media (with the exception of the software, I have yet to visit another library that has software). I think that this post is just a little out-of-date...by what it sounds from my experience and other commenters, most libraries already do this...ok, i'm done blathering about useless crap, no one here probably cares anyway.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Anonymous Coward, 24 Jul 2007 @ 2:25pm

Re:
"News flash! Libraries do not provide anything for "free". They are funded by tax dollars. It's always sad when someone refers to any government service as being free."
I think sometimes people use the word "free" to mean "without additional cost" rather than "without any cost".
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Busybody, 24 Jul 2007 @ 3:49pm

Re: Re: You must be back east
Maybe you should "Start" by finishing school...
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Big Brother, 24 Jul 2007 @ 4:44pm

Re: Re:
Be careful what you ask about though. Everything you access in a public library that leaves a record can wind up in your FBI file. And without any explanation things can look a lot worse than you might imagine.

Same as the 'net dude. I'm watching you!!!
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Simon, 24 Jul 2007 @ 7:32pm

Re: A physical location?
RTFA: it was talking about using public libraries to access subscription databases, with a wealth of content from magazines, journals and newspapers. Most people can't afford to pay thousands of dollars to subscribe to these databases, but they're available free of charge to public library users. Already. Via the library's website.

(Plus you still get to use libraries to access physical media, if that's what you want; and you may not even have to drive to the library, seeing as many libraries will deliver books by mail these days).
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Simon, 24 Jul 2007 @ 7:34pm

Re: Xerox
Um, so people can copy things?

It's legal to copy parts of a work, after all, under fair use/fair dealing. Most libraries I'm familiar with have copyright notices stating what can and can't be copied.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Roger Thompson, 25 Jul 2007 @ 7:27am

Re: Fiction Recommendations
For exploring Fiction, give a look at fictionfinder.oclc.org

It is a free prototype.

Comments and suggestions are welcome. It is currently being re-engineered, so input might get taken seriously. The database is not current--about a year old.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
john, 31 Jul 2007 @ 2:14pm

Re:
[ link to this | view in thread ]
john, 31 Jul 2007 @ 2:16pm

Re: free libraries
If you look at the actual cost..(in your property tax usually) it is for all practical purposes free (highly efficient) for the utility delivered.
[ link to this | view in thread ]