Future Of Libraries: Legal Providers Of Free Content
from the entertainment-industry-suing-libraries-next? dept
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
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
Beyond the areas of content
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
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 chronology ]
Re: Fiction Recommendations
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 chronology ]
A physical location?
How quaint.
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: A physical location?
(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 chronology ]
Libraries already lend movies
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
You must be back east
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 chronology ]
Re: You must be back east
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re: You must be back east
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Xerox
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Xerox
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 chronology ]
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 chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: Re:
Same as the 'net dude. I'm watching you!!!
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re:
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Re: free libraries
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
UHLS
[ link to this | view in chronology ]
Librarys already are
[ link to this | view in chronology ]