rent-a-book?

Snowflake · 10-31-2007, 01:20 PM

Is it me? This so works for Netflix, but, uh, excuse me, how about the library folks?

BookSwim

Gemini Cricket · 10-31-2007, 01:22 PM

For us lazy folk, I think it's an interesting idea.
I very well may plan to read a book someday and when I do, I'd like to get it through the mail.

Could you imagine CP having to deliver door to door to compete with this service?

Snowflake · 10-31-2007, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

For us lazy folk, I think it's an interesting idea.
I very well may plan to read a book someday and when I do, I'd like to get it through the mail.

Could you imagine CP having to deliver door to door to compete with this service?

Oh, bwahaha.

I love my books, I'm more apt to buy them, new, used, antiquarian (if I can get them).

CP could drive the bookmobile, though! Do they still have them?

Tom · 10-31-2007, 01:41 PM

I haven't had a chance to peruse the site at length, but if they had a selection on the order of Netflix, that would give them a big advantage over my local library, at least, and would make them something that might interest me.

Cadaverous Pallor · 10-31-2007, 01:41 PM

Some places still have bookmobiles. They're usually a stopgap for cities that don't have enough money to build more branches. I've heard of high tech bookmobiles that are also computer learning centers/internet cafes - big ol' RVs filled with workstations.

Rental books have been around forever, just not widely used by consumers. You remember when all libraries seemed to be moving towards rental of current bestsellers? It's because libraries of almost any size rent extra copies of bestsellers from companies. No one wants to buy 10 copies of the new Sue Grafton because you really don't need that many in the long run, though you do need that many when it's red hot. Some libraries are now passing that cost onto the patron. (Ours gave up charging patrons.)

Even with 10 copies, we always have an extremely long holds list for the red hot new books. I just called a patron to tell them we finally got "A Thousand Splendid Suns" in for her, and she was ecstatic.

In short - this is a great idea for people who want the newest stuff right now, and don't want to pay a full purchase price.

Ghoulish Delight · 10-31-2007, 01:41 PM

I saw a bookmobile while traveling, I don't recall which city (Boston maybe).

Snowflake · 10-31-2007, 02:10 PM

I dunno, for me this concept does not work. It works for DVDs that I know I will never every buy. I enjoy books, obtaining books, reading and fondling books, and, ultimately dying under a fallen tower of books.

Alex · 10-31-2007, 02:19 PM

Not a bad idea, but the only reason I'm willing to deal with Netflix is because the envelopes are pretty standard sized and can fit in a normal mail box. With this I would have to deal with shipping boxes and go to the post office to mail a book back.

Too much hassle when I have a B&N across the street.

I don't know if they still do it, but when I was a kid the Fort Vancouver Regional Library System (severing Clark County, Washington) would mail books for free; also, there were no overdue fees and you didn't have to have a library card. It worked pretty well for them and I've never understood why more systems didn't go that way (when they went electronic in 1992 they did put library cards in place).

Kevy Baby · 10-31-2007, 05:27 PM

What they do need is AUDIO books. That would make for simpler shipping.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom

I haven't had a chance to peruse the site at length, but if they had a selection on the order of Netflix, that would give them a big advantage over my local library, at least, and would make them something that might interest me.

Quote:

Whether it's New Releases, Bestsellers, or Classics, we've got 150,000 titles to choose from...

Kevy Baby · 10-31-2007, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

...when I was a kid the Fort Vancouver Regional Library System (severing Clark County, Washington)...

It must have been a huge library if they were able to sever an entire county

10-31-2007, 01:20 PM	#1
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	rent-a-book? Is it me? This so works for Netflix, but, uh, excuse me, how about the library folks? BookSwim __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
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10-31-2007, 01:22 PM	#2
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	For us lazy folk, I think it's an interesting idea. I very well may plan to read a book someday and when I do, I'd like to get it through the mail. Could you imagine CP having to deliver door to door to compete with this service?
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10-31-2007, 01:41 PM	#4
Tom Valued member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 541	I haven't had a chance to peruse the site at length, but if they had a selection on the order of Netflix, that would give them a big advantage over my local library, at least, and would make them something that might interest me.
	Submit to Quotes

10-31-2007, 01:41 PM	#5
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	Some places still have bookmobiles. They're usually a stopgap for cities that don't have enough money to build more branches. I've heard of high tech bookmobiles that are also computer learning centers/internet cafes - big ol' RVs filled with workstations. Rental books have been around forever, just not widely used by consumers. You remember when all libraries seemed to be moving towards rental of current bestsellers? It's because libraries of almost any size rent extra copies of bestsellers from companies. No one wants to buy 10 copies of the new Sue Grafton because you really don't need that many in the long run, though you do need that many when it's red hot. Some libraries are now passing that cost onto the patron. (Ours gave up charging patrons.) Even with 10 copies, we always have an extremely long holds list for the red hot new books. I just called a patron to tell them we finally got "A Thousand Splendid Suns" in for her, and she was ecstatic. In short - this is a great idea for people who want the newest stuff right now, and don't want to pay a full purchase price. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
	Submit to Quotes

10-31-2007, 01:41 PM	#6
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	I saw a bookmobile while traveling, I don't recall which city (Boston maybe). __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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10-31-2007, 02:10 PM	#7
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	I dunno, for me this concept does not work. It works for DVDs that I know I will never every buy. I enjoy books, obtaining books, reading and fondling books, and, ultimately dying under a fallen tower of books. __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
	Submit to Quotes

10-31-2007, 02:19 PM	#8
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Not a bad idea, but the only reason I'm willing to deal with Netflix is because the envelopes are pretty standard sized and can fit in a normal mail box. With this I would have to deal with shipping boxes and go to the post office to mail a book back. Too much hassle when I have a B&N across the street. I don't know if they still do it, but when I was a kid the Fort Vancouver Regional Library System (severing Clark County, Washington) would mail books for free; also, there were no overdue fees and you didn't have to have a library card. It worked pretty well for them and I've never understood why more systems didn't go that way (when they went electronic in 1992 they did put library cards in place).
	Submit to Quotes