Netflix for Libraries?

The Hayward Public Library in Northern California is launching an interesting new service for library patrons. For a fee, library patrons can have a set number of books out indefinitely, without incurring additional fines and fees. Here is the article about the Hayward Library service. (I have to thank Kathy Gould of Palos Verdes Public Library - I saw this in her blog and I had to go see what Hayward was up to. Thanks Kathy!)

Hayward has chosen not to mail materials – so patrons come into the library, but they don’t have to worry about due dates or renewals.

I would love to hear what you think about this idea – Would you be willing to pay the library a monthly fee so you wouldn’t have to worry about due dates and fines? Would this work in Huntington Beach?

Reading at the Beach...

Here’s an interesting idea –

In the Netherlands, a number of public libraries set up Beach Branch Libraries. The Beach library was set up right on the sand, during the summer for 6 weeks. There were no fines, no fees, no library cards. To borrow something you just sign your name and address.

They have averaged 15,000 circulations during the 6 week period with only 1% of borrowed items not being returned. About 25,000 people visit the beach branches during the same period. The Beach libraries have circulated everything from books to IPods, audiobooks to Ebooks. The Beach libraries have also offered yoga classes and creative writing workshops for beachgoers.

Some preliminary research shows that the beach branches don’t bring new patrons to the regular library. But it is one way to take the library to the people.

I’d love to hear what people think about Libraries on the Sand…