I think the first place I came across the idea was at Jenny Levine’s blog – see The Shifted Librarian: The Exeter Public Library Does Netflix .
Here I am two years later still wondering how Netflix is working in libraries. Is it still working? Have the executives at Netflix shut everyone down? Did all the ‘naughty’ libraries get a copy of “There Will Be Blood” as recommended in that NEWSWEEK article? I really wanted to know.
So, I decided to just go ahead and ask.
I chose to check in on the Cook Memorial Library way up in Tamworth, NH from that article in Library Journal. Library director Jay Rancourt had this to say about Netflix’s successful and continued use in her library:
Yes, we are still using Netflix. We are circulating two at a time now. Very popular service. Even more so in this lousy economy. There are (red) cards on the circ desk to be filled out by the patrons with their request. We queue the patron requests up on the Netflix website, and loan only one unit per person at a time. Then the patrons must queue up again. It’s a two-day rental to keep the queue moving. I think it’s well worth the $13.99 per month it costs…
I did the math and I’d say she’s getting a great deal. Economically, it’s like buying one new DVD a month, but having access to around 30. Smart, smart, smart. Why not take advantage of an easy and inexpensive way to provide users with what they want? Way to go Jay!
It looks like no one has seen any kind of ‘reminder’ from Netflix the corporate entity banning libraries from using this service. I’m sure they realize how many new subscribers they will gain from the pool of people who have access to their service through libraries. Impatience is commonplace in America, eventually everyone wants their own subscription. Netflix should consider paying libraries to offer the service!