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Message

A public library streaming/digital lending system
Posted on 5/19/17 at 8:50 pm
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?
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 on 5/19/17 at 8:53 pm to ManBearTiger
Overdrive app. Your welcome.
Posted on 5/19/17 at 8:54 pm to ManBearTiger
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 on 5/19/17 at 8:55 pm to ManBearTiger
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.
Sorry, chief. Someone already thought of your brilliant idea.
This post was edited on 5/19/17 at 8:57 pm
Posted on 5/19/17 at 8:56 pm to FalseProphet
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 on 5/19/17 at 8:57 pm to ManBearTiger
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 on 5/19/17 at 9:00 pm to Kvothe
I'll check it out. Are new releases of movies/ television series available?
Posted on 5/19/17 at 9:00 pm to ManBearTiger
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 on 5/19/17 at 9:02 pm to Peazey
Can you browse the selection online?
Eta: I missed where you already answered my question
Eta: I missed where you already answered my question
This post was edited on 5/19/17 at 9:04 pm
Posted on 5/19/17 at 9:03 pm to ManBearTiger
I use it strictly for e-books on my kindle. It's great. Can't speak for movies/tv series
Posted on 5/19/17 at 9:03 pm to ManBearTiger
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.
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 on 5/19/17 at 9:07 pm to ManBearTiger
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 on 5/19/17 at 9:08 pm to Kvothe
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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