Comments on: Death of The Library and rise of the Kindle. http://directmarketingobservations.com/2008/01/18/death-of-the-library-and-rise-of-the-kindle/ Quick hits on Social Media, Marketing, and Technology Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:38:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: It’s Never Boring with Dave Doering! » The Wonder of the Library http://directmarketingobservations.com/2008/01/18/death-of-the-library-and-rise-of-the-kindle/#comment-3683 Sat, 08 Aug 2009 06:01:53 +0000 http://emersondirect.wordpress.com/2008/01/18/death-of-the-library-and-rise-of-the-kindle/#comment-3683 [...] “Generation “C” (content) has no use for a library.” [...]

]]> By: Diane http://directmarketingobservations.com/2008/01/18/death-of-the-library-and-rise-of-the-kindle/#comment-1579 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 05:51:41 +0000 http://emersondirect.wordpress.com/2008/01/18/death-of-the-library-and-rise-of-the-kindle/#comment-1579 I’m from the Sparta Library and we are NOT a dying institution, that’s for sure! We are the hub of a growing and changing community, and we purchased the Kindles in response to our tech-savvy patrons’ demands for the best we can get them. The Kindles have had a great reception and are always in circulation.

We support the notion that if your library’s not giving you what you want and need, tell someone who can fix that. Talk to the director who should realize that it’s your money that’s being used! You are the one for whom we build the collection; of course you should have a voice. Don’t be hesitant! We’re in business for YOU!

]]> By: Librarylion http://directmarketingobservations.com/2008/01/18/death-of-the-library-and-rise-of-the-kindle/#comment-1407 Sat, 26 Jan 2008 05:58:07 +0000 http://emersondirect.wordpress.com/2008/01/18/death-of-the-library-and-rise-of-the-kindle/#comment-1407 It’s worth saying one more time, because the real problem here is with inadequate library marketing/branding. Most libraries are steadily replacing their print copies of reference works with proprietary databases that library users can access from anywhere for free via the library’s web site. Three AM and you need some market share information? Science project information? A literary criticism article for (tomorrow’s) term paper? No problem. Go to your library’s website, and chances are you’ll find a product there that can provide it for you. Online. At three AM. For free.

Many libraries are also providing free downloadable movies that you “check out.” Instead of having to go to the library to borrow & return a DVD, you just download it & it stops working when the checkout period expires. Just like Amazon, Netflix, and now Apple want you to do…only there is no up front cost to you. Everyone’s taxes already paid for it all.

According to an article in librarian professional literature, there is already a library system circulating Kindles. (Sparta PL in NJ.) Does that really sound like the act of a dying institution? If people aren’t satisfied with the resources of their public library, they need to go to the library’s administration and let them know what they want. They’ll also want to go to the political body that funds the library and demand funding for what you want to see @ your library. Librarians ask for funding for things, but often if the public isn’t saying they want it too, government just spends the money someplace else instead.

Good night & good luck! :)

]]> By: Roger Hiles http://directmarketingobservations.com/2008/01/18/death-of-the-library-and-rise-of-the-kindle/#comment-1384 Sat, 19 Jan 2008 00:16:04 +0000 http://emersondirect.wordpress.com/2008/01/18/death-of-the-library-and-rise-of-the-kindle/#comment-1384 Until information is free to all, or everyone has a lot more disposable income than today, libraries will still make sense as purchasing co-ops. I agree with the earlier poster– you need to look at the online content available through most libraries. Many libraries spend more to provide access to online resources than they spend on print materials these days.

Next, there’s a significant teaching function in libraries– people often have only a superficial understanding of online searching techniques, or how to evaluate sites for reliability or bias. Libraries have a role here as well.

Most librarians are working hard to move into the digital realm. I’d say that any report of the death of libraries is exaggerated.

]]> By: edruda http://directmarketingobservations.com/2008/01/18/death-of-the-library-and-rise-of-the-kindle/#comment-1383 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:57:09 +0000 http://emersondirect.wordpress.com/2008/01/18/death-of-the-library-and-rise-of-the-kindle/#comment-1383 Have you ever looked at your library’s website? I’m guessing there are a lot of resources available online that give better information than
Google. Many libraries also offer downloadable audio books and movies and music. They have a huge online presence and are way more than books on a shelf. Although they have that too.

]]> By: Library Revolution » Blog Archive » Hatin’ On The Library http://directmarketingobservations.com/2008/01/18/death-of-the-library-and-rise-of-the-kindle/#comment-1382 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:16:32 +0000 http://emersondirect.wordpress.com/2008/01/18/death-of-the-library-and-rise-of-the-kindle/#comment-1382 [...] Read this blog post about the “Death of the Library.” [...]

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