So this post does not follow infodoodading rules on a couple of counts - the service soon-to-be reviewed is not free and it is not exactly a Web 2.0 tool. That said, this is one of those services that I want to know about as a librarian, so I’ll assume that’s true for at least 2-3 of you.
Okay now that I’ve got that out of the way, prepare to be shocked by this new service/business idea. BookSwim’s advertising tag line is “don’t buy books, rent them.” Or, hello? Go to the library and check them out??? BookSwim is being referred to as the Netflix of books, or as a the “first online book library rental club.” The basic idea is that you pay $14.99 a month (the cheapest option where you can have 3 books out at a time), make a booklist of stuff you’d like to read based on titles that they have in their “library” and as they become available you get the book. When you finish a book, you send it back and they send you another one.
So even the non-librarian reviewer that I linked to early thought this was a totally weird niche. What about the social element of going to a bookstore? What about the fact that there is NO limit on how many books I can have checked out for FREE from my local public library at one time? The only redeeming feature I see to BookSwim is that they have a recommender system that shows the people who rented this book have also rented… (ala Amazon). But you don’t even have to subscribe to BookSwim to see this recommender information.
Does BookSwim make me nervous for libraries? Not really, but it does make me curious about the gap that BookSwim’s creators must have perceived between the way people want books delivered and the way most libraries currently work. Maybe this service will push direct delivery conversations a bit further along in library land.
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dumbest. idea. ever.
i just paid 5 bucks to replace my lost library card…do people even know that they can not only “rent” limitless books from local libraries and connected libraries (networks like in boston) but ALSO dvd’s (netflix) and music (itunes) - hello? people? anybody wonder what town taxes are for? the library is like the only great socialized service in america!!
The thing that sounds appealing to me about this service is that it sounds like I might actually get the books I want to read. Right now I have about 20 books on my “wish” list with my local library. In most cases, I’m the 150th person who wants that book and I’m going to have to wait FOREVER to get it. The killer part is that these books could come to me from any of the dozen or so libraries in my county. It’s very clear to me that they simply don’t have enough books to meet the demand. In fact, they’ve started renting out popular books too. If BookSwim could fix this problem, I’d definitely consider paying up.
If our public library had a well-running site that worked like Netflix and they’d deliver my book right to my door along with a pre-paid return envelope, honestly I wouldn’t mind paying a monthly fee at all!
Darn, you totally pulled this one out from under me!
It’s a neat idea. Related to what Laurie said, I think the key factor to its potential success is that it delivers to/from your door. People are darned lazy. Libraries are perceived to have inconvenient hours for “regular” people who work during the week. I at the moment don’t have time to track down the individual libraries I recall but there are some already doing this sort of service. Others do a hybrid, books are mailed to you and you return them to secure and convenient drive-up bookdrops that are not necessarily located AT the library, but possibly at a bank or shopping center. For most people that isn’t any more inconvenient than dropping something into the mail.
I do not think these guys will be in business in 12 months. To liken this to the “Netflix for books” is a joke. The only thing they have in common is that the service is being delivered in the mail….to those dumb enough to sign up. Let’s be realistic…the reason Netflix succeeded where Blockbuster was floundering, is because Netflix did not have the infrastructure costs(building, inventory, etc.) that Blockbuster had….and it was very convenient and LOW COST to deliver dvd’s(light weight) in the mail. Anyone believe BookSwim can be profitable, ever, shipping books? Margin on holding that inventory? Value of BookSwim’s service vs. simply buying the books you want online/used book store? My recommendation is to hit the control-alt-delete button, rewrite the business plan to offer consumers something they want that is unique, instead of copying someone else’s model.
Not to mention the fact that your average American can hardly make it through 1 book a year, let alone 3 books per month (the lowest priced BookSwim plan). Plus people were already used to renting videos (getting feature film videos from the library is a little bit more of a recent phenomenon), whereas it has been all about the borrowing or buying model for books.
Look! Another rental service for books!! http://www.paperspine.com/ This is craziness.
I think Mary Jo above hits the nail. When people answer to book rental services with “but you can do that at the library,” that is all fine and dandy if your library has a selection of books to begin with. My local public library has books that were probably there during the Hoover administration. To say that the selection is dismal would be making a generous statement. Personally, I would not pony up to rent the books a la Netflix, but I can certainly see where such a service would be appealing, especially if you are living in the boonies with a library that clearly has not been updated in ages in terms of their selections (and don’t even get me started on what passes for their A/V collection).
I am a believer in libraries. After all, I am a librarian, but the library clearly has to offer some value. It’s when it fails to do that, that the patrons go elsewhere. 150th in the cue to get a book? That’s just not right. By that time, I can probably buy it cheaply someplace else.
150th? What small-town library do you go to? Popular books (read: Patterson, Higgins, Lindsey, etc) will generally get four to five hundred requests before the book comes out. Really popular books like Harry Potter easily get over a thousand or two. The thing is our 17 branch library buys about four hundred Harry Potter books to meet demand.
The trick with HP was the request the book six months early. You get an automated message telling you to request it on such and such a date (usually three months early). Then you request it at 12:05 that morning. Number one for the Deathly Hallows. I was a little late for HP6. I requested it three days late and was number 37 for the book. Oh, I bought it anyway, but it’s a sign of pride. Or having no life…. whatever.
Glad to see the intelligent debate flying around here. I think that the most common misconception about BookSwim is that it is designed to compete with local libraries when, in fact, it is designed to compete with book stores who are overcharging people for books that they don’t want laying around the house forever and ever. Libraries are great, and for the people in America who live near terrific libraries, we would love to see libraries better utilized. However, there are more areas in our country than we’d care to believe where the closest library can be 40-60 miles away, and many people, still who haven’t the means of the time to get to a library, even if there’s a good one nearby. BookSwim and libraries, alike, are both about encouraging people to read more by making it more feasible. And, while you’re correct that the average American doesn’t read three books a month, a one-month subscription to BookSwim can be less than even one new release hardcover at the store, and people are, unfortunately, paying for them through the nose. So, BookSwim is here to stay, not as a thorn in anyone’s side, but as a supplement to libraries, and an alternative to high-priced book stores.
Eric - it’s really good to hear your 2 cents on the mission of BookSwim. However, I would still have to say that even though libraries certainly aren’t only about books, we do still see books, people’s desire to read books and people’s access to books as a huge part of what we’re about too (thus the defensive tone when it seems like someone else might be trying to do us one better). There are definitely library communities out there who are already mulling over how they can provide a more Netflix-like service, for example there is a pilot project in Montana that is working on providing home delivery to patrons in remote areas (http://www.msl.mt.gov/For_Librarians/Pilot_Projects/). Library services certainly still vary especially as funding for libraries varies across municipalities/counties/states, etc…But don’t be surprised if you continue to hear librarians remarking about your project with both interest and dismay as we try to figure out where we fit into evolving models of customer service.
I think we are not thinking about the many shut-ins, older people who cannot get out and do not have transportation to get to a library easily and who do not have a lot of money to buy books but really like to read. (Many libraries also do not provide a service that delivers books requested to people’s homes.) People who are confined to their homes would really like a service like BookSwim.
As a librarian I think Bookswim is an interesting concept, but…ehhh…why pay the money to have books delivered? Me, I’m into big art books can those be shipped? And just now I looked at their browse feature and it seems to still have some bugs in it. I clicked on Artists A-Z and the first book listed the “Secrets of Angels and Demons”???
For those with the wishlists, most libraries have something called Interlibrary Loan where you can get books from other places. It won’t help you get the Harry Potters or the sellouts faster, but those wishlists items that you library won’t buy you can get from other places. Most libraries don’t charge anything for Interlibrary Loan (ILL), some do charge a minimal fee.
I think its great that Eric says its to help those that don’t live close by, but all that says to me is that libraries (aka City and State govts.) needed to get their butts in gear and help supply to the community.
Maybe Bookswim and others will succeed, but for me libraries, buying the book or a really cool site called Bookmooch.com is a place to check out. Trade your books for others.
Here in Maine we have Books by Mail. Same thing, but free. You are eligible if you have a disability and cannot leave the house, and you are eligible if your town does not have a full-service library. Libraries are usually behind on slick marketing, though. Score one for BookSwim.
The business niche for online book-rental makes sense to me, and I am a librarian. Certainly, libraries offer book loans without a rental fee, but there are other significant costs and inconveniences that library users face:
* Time and expense of traveling to the library to borrow and return books
* Difficulty in locating books on the shelf (and possibly embarrassment at needing help)
* Competition with other patrons for popular books
* Late fees
* Lack of anonymity (when face-to-face transactions are needed)
* Free service is limited to the patron’s own public library or academic library.
Full service libraries will always have their unique benefits, but the niche for a fee-based book-rental service exists. I wish Bookswim and similar companies’ success. Libraries should consider following their lead.
South Dakota is a huge and sparsely populated state, and the South Dakota State library used to mail you library books to any South Dakotan who asked…. for free! Except you had to pay to mail the book back to them, but the cost to do that is less than this.
Not sure if this library still does this though.
This is an interesting endeavor. However, the Orange County Library System in Orlando, Florida has been offering a free and successful books by mail system since the 1970’s when we had the first gasoline crisis ~ not that I remember! They deliver all types of materials (books, cd’s, dvd’s) to everyone in the library district who has a valid library card! It’s s Super Service! http://www.ocls.info
Lots of libraries will mail items to you for a small fee. The advantage of a Netflix-like service — and why it blows the library out of the water — is that you will get the titles you want when you want them.
Libraries can do a better job in this ‘market’, but the fact is, they don’t serve the impatient, monied crowd. They serve those of us willing to give up convenience because we can’t afford to go out and buy (or rent) the materials we want. The other, more important market served by libraries is parents and immigrant populations. Will this system hurt libraries? Not really. Most of the folks who will us it are already going to bookstores and Amazon.
CF
Clyde:
“The advantage of a Netflix-like service — and why it blows the library out of the water — is that you will get the titles you want when you want them.”
Your mileage may vary.
We ran a test at my library. I signed up for the mid-tier Netflix account and requested several new titles from Netflix at the same time I requested them at my library. It was a pretty even split: about 60% of the time I got Netflix’s disc first. The other 40% the library’s. In most instances they were within 5 business days of each other no matter who got them to me first. So on the basis of cost/speed I am not entirely sure that Netflix is a clear win.
In a few notable instances: a Teletubbies DVD, Dr. Who Season 2, and Pen & Teller Bull***t Season 1 disc 2, where I never received the titles in the 6 months I was a member of the Netflix service the library always got me the item. (Note: the Pen & Teller was a test of Interlibrary Loan for us. Disc 1 & 3 came much faster from Netflix (4 business days from request), but the complete set came via ILL in 12 days.)
The real difference we saw was content based - Netflix, as a corporation, has a very different focus than a public library. They stock predominantly popular titles from the past couple of years and notable titles going back a little further. Netflix was also much stronger in current television series, carrying all of the most current popular series, which most libraries cannot afford to purchase. The library was much stronger on documentaries, non-fiction, Foreign filmsand non-current titles.
To me, what this really showed was the strength of the Public Library system (at least in Illinois): To wit: any disc I wanted I could find, somewhere, via ILL. It might take a little while (6 months for new discs of popular television shows that we do not purchase) or require you to visit another local library to pick it up, but we will eventually get it for you. With Netflix, if they didn’t have it that was the end of it, there was no ILL option to expand your ability to get the item - No ability to use your Netflix account at another vendor to pick it up there.
Now, I will grant you, we have a much larger than average collection of DVDs for a public library and do order multiple copies of popular/high grossing titles. However, I think the real difference between Netflix and MPOW in the end, is our advertising budget.
Somehow I think we’ll see the same thing with the crop of book lending companies that are popping up. Lots of excited press (”Why has nobody ever thought of lending books before!”) lots of advertising budget. But nowhere near the depth a good public (or academic) library can provide.
Just my 2 cents.
I say libraries ought be doing this anyway. Could be quite an expense, but so is interlibrary loan. I’m blogging right back at you with more on this topic.
I can see the value in this for shut-ins or invalids–people who have trouble getting to the library. Otherwise, what is the point?
You’re paying $15 mo. for 3 books. May as well buy from a 2nd hand vendor.
Something that is overlooked: people might complain about the unavailability of certain materials at a bricks & mortar library. But they’ll have to wait for the bestsellers, as well, on a rental website.
Nothing in life is free (except libraries). If you want something for nothing, you have to wait to get it.
When you buy a book, it’s not just the author/publisher who profits, but you yourself –you have the book in your hand, right away & to keep as long as you want.
See you at Barnes & Noble.
I realize I am joining this discussion late, but I just found it and want to add in my 2 cents.
I am just getting ready to sign up for this service and have to say I think it is a great idea. I live in a rural area, in a county with one county library (and a very small “branch”). Our library has the Hoover administration bookshelves, “new fiction” that is five years old and rude librarians to boot. They used to get books from other counties, but about 6 years ago stopped because it cost them too much (per the head librarian). IF they get a new book, it takes nearly a year to get your hands on the one copy they get. They get 2 copies of the Harry Potter books. I used to get books when they were able to get them from other libraries, but no longer find myself willing to wait. Unlike “average” Americans, I read a whole lot more than 1 book a year. I like to read about 5 - 7 books a month or more if I find them.
With the cost of gas increasing so quickly, my book budget is taking a big cut. I like hardcovers and I am impatient - when one of my favorite authors writes a new book, I want to read it. I spend at least $100/month on books now and definitely think someone like me could benefit from this service.
One last note on my library. I used to donate my hardcovers to the library (I am not a book keeper, once I’ve read a book, I am done with it) until I got tired of the attitude of the accepting librarians. Not once did I get a thank you, instead I got a snotty “Just put them over there” from the librarian on duty (including the head librarian). I was taking them hot off the press hardcovers that still looked new, and they acted like I was giving them junk. I looked around and found a small town library in a neighboring county that has about $500 a year to spend on books and started helping them build their new fiction section. They are very appreciative and tell me how much the local folks (mostly elderly) have loved being able to borrow books that were so recently published.
I will still buy books and donate them (just not as many), but this service will help me feel freer to read books that I am not willing to spend $25 on.
While I hope public libraries never become a thing of the past (they are entirely too valuable in too many ways), I do like the idea of Bookswim.
In addition to getting books delivered to your door, which is a wonderful service, I am also hoping for increased selection.
My library is fairly decent, and connected to to others through an inter-library lending system. Still, not all the newer titles I wish I could get my hands on are available.
And I’m getting pretty tired of seeing my favorite older authors removed from the shelves to make way for the growing oeuvres of Stephen King et al.
Plus, I would *love* to have access to out of print books you don’t see very often - ex., Cornell Woolrich mysteries, other humor (besides Please Don’t Eat the Daisies) by Jean Kerr, etc.