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A public library streaming/digital lending system

Posted on 5/19/17 at 8:50 pm
Posted by ManBearTiger
BRLA
Member since Jun 2007
22670 posts
Posted on 5/19/17 at 8:50 pm
I had an idea for something that could be cool.

Libraries can lend out any movie, CD, or book because of something called the first sale doctrine. This allows for the purchaser of any media to lend that item to another person.

My streaming box for Netflix/Amazon Prime broke a few months back and I procrastinated on getting a new one until I decided to not get another and try to get back to reading more at night instead of watching TV. I love movies though and remembered that the library has a surprisingly good selection, so usually on Fridays I'll go pick up a few to watch over the weekend. For new releases they often have multiple copies- the Bluebonnet location must have five or six in circulation. In this way I've managed to continue watching new releases/ classics, while cutting out a lot of crap I would settle for streaming.

Would it be viable for the library to create and offer an online streaming system available to the public? My thinking with regards to the first sale doctrine is that with the arrival of digital copies a portion of the money going towards DVD purchases could be diverted towards purchasing digital copies for circulation.

You might ask, "Why?" Well an annoying amount of dvd's /blurays the library loans out have been well-worn or damaged, resulting in many being unwatchable. A digital copy would never "wear down" or degrade in quality. Same for CD's of audio books or music as well as digital books. A digital copy never sustains water damage and the loan period would expire automatically, so their loaned media would always come back punctually.

The main stipulation that I think could make this work would be that the library would be restricted to only loaning out for streaming the same amount of digital copies as they purchased.

Are there laws respecting digital media being used in this way?
This post was edited on 5/19/17 at 8:53 pm
Posted by Kvothe
Member since Sep 2016
2101 posts
Posted on 5/19/17 at 8:53 pm to
Overdrive app. Your welcome.
Posted by FalseProphet
Mecca
Member since Dec 2011
11723 posts
Posted on 5/19/17 at 8:54 pm to
My library already has a digital lending system. It accesses some national database. I never have to leave my house to check out books.
Posted by Peazey
Metry
Member since Apr 2012
25427 posts
Posted on 5/19/17 at 8:55 pm to
They already do. Overdrive as has already been mentioned, and there are also other streaming options on the ebrpl site. You can stream every movie in the criterion collection from their website. I watched Seven Samurai on it a while ago. I think they even have other streaming services, but I haven't looked into it.

Sorry, chief. Someone already thought of your brilliant idea.
This post was edited on 5/19/17 at 8:57 pm
Posted by ManBearTiger
BRLA
Member since Jun 2007
22670 posts
Posted on 5/19/17 at 8:56 pm to
That's great, I wonder if BR libraries have looked into this, I only go to Bluebonnet location and they don't have any literature on display advertising it so I assume they don't have such a system
Posted by Kvothe
Member since Sep 2016
2101 posts
Posted on 5/19/17 at 8:57 pm to
Download overdrive, sign up to a bunch of different large city libraries online, get what you want for free without getting off the couch. 2017 is badass.
Posted by ManBearTiger
BRLA
Member since Jun 2007
22670 posts
Posted on 5/19/17 at 9:00 pm to
I'll check it out. Are new releases of movies/ television series available?
Posted by Peazey
Metry
Member since Apr 2012
25427 posts
Posted on 5/19/17 at 9:00 pm to
You can also search their catalog online for physical copies and have them put something on hold for you at the branch of your choice in the ebrpl system. It's good for in case they have the movie or book or whatever you want is at a different branch than the one you go to. It also saves the hassle of searching through the shelves. You just go straight up to the desk. It usually takes them a couple of days to move the items around for you, but it isn't a big deal if you plan ahead.
This post was edited on 5/19/17 at 9:01 pm
Posted by ManBearTiger
BRLA
Member since Jun 2007
22670 posts
Posted on 5/19/17 at 9:02 pm to
Can you browse the selection online?

Eta: I missed where you already answered my question
This post was edited on 5/19/17 at 9:04 pm
Posted by Kvothe
Member since Sep 2016
2101 posts
Posted on 5/19/17 at 9:03 pm to
I use it strictly for e-books on my kindle. It's great. Can't speak for movies/tv series
Posted by East Coast Band
Member since Nov 2010
66993 posts
Posted on 5/19/17 at 9:03 pm to
My library allows me to check out all sorts of books, magazines, etc. Not sure about movies, for I don't watch many to look into it.

With my Kindle, that's is how I get any book I read.

Further, I use my mother's library account to get books from her that my library may be "out" of.
Posted by TIGERSTORM
parts unknown
Member since Feb 2009
4843 posts
Posted on 5/19/17 at 9:07 pm to
With ebr library card you can also access oneplay to download pc games. I've yet to test it out but got an email this week.
Posted by Peazey
Metry
Member since Apr 2012
25427 posts
Posted on 5/19/17 at 9:08 pm to
I think overdrive is only for audio books, and e books and stuff. I don't think a streaming service is part of it. Could be wrong though. I have only used it for audio books to listen to while driving. There are some kind of limited streaming services on the ebrpl website. I'm not sure what exactly is all on it. I think their physical collection of movies is just better.
This post was edited on 5/19/17 at 9:09 pm
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