The big techie news last Friday (7/18/2014) was Amazon's announcement of Kindle Unlimited. The reviews of this new product has been mixed reviews. The response ranged from Bezo has done it again to it's too early to tell if this will be a hit. What is Kindle Unlimited? A subscription service through Kindle that allows readers to download up to ten titles per month for the amazing low price of $9.99 or $120 a year. Sounds wonderful, right? On the surface it does seem like a dream come true. However, as parents have always warned their children for ages, "If it sounds too good to be true, it is too good to be true." Before plopping down that money, think of these questions.
Question One, does this duplicate something that is already provided? Nine out of ten people should say yes. The reason being is that almost all communities have libraries. These days, all libraries, public or private, small or large, have access to downloading books. If a customer pays $120 per year to Amazon for the subscription, how much does she pay her local library for the same service? Most people would say $0 but that's not true. Property taxes pay for the majority of public libraries in America. Having said that, most communities pay roughly about $80 to $155 per household per year to support the library. Not a bad price for being able to check out just about anything, including digital materials.
Question Two, how many titles are in the selection? Amazon boosts that it has over 600,000 titles to choose from in this package. However the five major have stepped away from this wonderful venture and their titles are not included in the service (Harper Collins, Simon & Schuster are just two of the publishers who opted out.) What books are included? On a first glance, many of the titles from independent publishers that need an audience. Now one may say that this is just a step for Amazon to take to try out the market for an idea like this and publishers are just stepping back to see if it's a hit. True, but when the bigger publishers join the "party" of book subscriptions what happens to the year fee? Prices rarely go further down one a low, low fee has been set. With no rocket science degree, it would be a safe bet to say the fee would increase.
Question Three: How many books would need to be read to make this program a good deal to the avid reader? If a reader read three to four books a month, it would be worthwhile. Quite frankly a really good deal. However, see question two. Do they have the titles of interest?
Question Four: If the subscription is terminated does the consumer keep the books? According to Amazon's website the answer is no. This might be a non factor since checking out books at a library (ebook or paper) the borrower does not keep the book.
After all these questions have been thoughtfully answered there can only be one question left. For a reorder where is the first place to turn to when looking for the perfect book, article, or movie. The Library. It is probably not Amazon's intent to do away with libraries as one author may have suggested. (Forbes, T. Worstall Close All the Libraries and Buy Everyone An Amazon Kindle, 7-18-14) Amazon is merely trying to do what Netflix has done for movies. Lots of choices, one low price which will probably increase just as every other service fee from Amazon has. Which brings another important to mind. Would a Kindle subscription stop avid readers from using a library. Not any more going to Barnes and Noble to purchase a book. Readers just love to read and finding that perfect book or books can lead them to the library, the bookstore or online.
To say the least, it will be interesting to see how and if Amazon Unlimited grows in demand. As for libraries, well they have been around long before Amazon and quite frankly, they will be around long after Amazon too.
Showing posts with label library cards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label library cards. Show all posts
Monday, July 21, 2014
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Need Ideas For Back To School Programs?
All schools, public, private and homeschool, are getting back into the day to day schedule of classes. While children might be dreading the routine of classes, reading and homework, parents are welcoming the fall and going back to the grind. For the summer, libraries have been the fun reading places with programs that kept children busy. The Fall, should be no different. The purpose of summer reading programs is to help children maintain their reading skills during the summer so that they are ready to return to school in the fall. If librarians stop with just summer reading program and offer no assistance for the children's trek back to school, then its just as if the library posted a sign saying "Thanks for the memories. See You Next Summer!" That would be a crying shame! What can a librarian do to get involved in the Back to School Activities? Plenty and it doesn't have to take much planning or money.
School supplies are a huge concern for parents, especially in hard economic times. Notebooks, pencils, rulers, calculators and backpacks quickly add up to big bucks. With this in mind, why not host a "School Supply day" where families can come in to pick up needed supplies at the library for free. The funds needed to provide these supplies can come from friends group, donations from local businesses, and donations from patrons. It's a terrific community outreach opportunity because it reminds the community that helping neighbors not only does the heart good but builds stronger ties to the city.
Mothers are always worried about if their children are eating properly. It can be a struggle to keep their children from choosing the right food to not trading their apples for their friends cookies. Bringing in a nutritionist for a program on helping parents and children eat wisely is a terrific way to help solve this problem. Local hospitals or healthcare centers will often offer these programs without costs to the library as a way to promote healthier community. If there isn't the time or room to hold a program. Why not offer a drop in recipe exchange for patrons? Put out the call for unique lunch box recipes to all patrons. Choose an area in the library where patrons can drop off twenty copies of their child's favorite lunches. Place all recipes on the table for people to pick up one or two that they want to try. To tie it all in, place some of the library's cookbooks on display to provide even more ideas for great lunches.
Children should be encouraged to read for pleasure throughout the year. A library card is a wonderful "free" back to school gift for children of all ages. Once a child has a library card, another great way to encourage reading for pleasure (also, a great way to clean out bedrooms) is to host an old fashioned book swap. The books donated at this event should be clean and in good condition. Every level of reading should be covered, from beginners to adult, because EVERYONE in the family should be reading. Invite patrons to donate a book and pick out a another book or themselves. It is great fun and the conversations about the books will be endless.
Tweens and teens like to explore their individuality and a wonderful way to give them an outlet for that creativity is with a Back To School Craft Night. Provide a variety of crafts for the tweens/teens choose from like beaded pins that they can put on their backpacks. Mirror magnets are perfect for lockers and with craft foam, fake gems, a hot glue gun, an evening of fun is ready to begin. For guys' lockers, let them create their own magnets with their favorite quote or picture.
One thing that is universal about all kids is that they want to look "cool" and not stick out like a sore thumb. Host a what's hot and what's not night in fashion where fashion experts (you can find them at the mall in major department stores) and even hair stylist to give advice on how to look great on the first day of school. After the program remind your patrons that the latest beauty/teen magazine is available as well as other books on beauty tips.
These are just a few ideas of how to engage the community in unique yet affordable ways as the students make the trek back to school. The old tried and true annotated book list about returning to school is great but those lists will not keep the patrons coming back for more. These programs are geared to not only lure them back but to build a positive relationship with the community. What library would want to put up the sign: 'Thanks for Coming! See you next summer"? The better sign that every library would love to put up is "Come Again, and again and again!"
School supplies are a huge concern for parents, especially in hard economic times. Notebooks, pencils, rulers, calculators and backpacks quickly add up to big bucks. With this in mind, why not host a "School Supply day" where families can come in to pick up needed supplies at the library for free. The funds needed to provide these supplies can come from friends group, donations from local businesses, and donations from patrons. It's a terrific community outreach opportunity because it reminds the community that helping neighbors not only does the heart good but builds stronger ties to the city.
Mothers are always worried about if their children are eating properly. It can be a struggle to keep their children from choosing the right food to not trading their apples for their friends cookies. Bringing in a nutritionist for a program on helping parents and children eat wisely is a terrific way to help solve this problem. Local hospitals or healthcare centers will often offer these programs without costs to the library as a way to promote healthier community. If there isn't the time or room to hold a program. Why not offer a drop in recipe exchange for patrons? Put out the call for unique lunch box recipes to all patrons. Choose an area in the library where patrons can drop off twenty copies of their child's favorite lunches. Place all recipes on the table for people to pick up one or two that they want to try. To tie it all in, place some of the library's cookbooks on display to provide even more ideas for great lunches.
Children should be encouraged to read for pleasure throughout the year. A library card is a wonderful "free" back to school gift for children of all ages. Once a child has a library card, another great way to encourage reading for pleasure (also, a great way to clean out bedrooms) is to host an old fashioned book swap. The books donated at this event should be clean and in good condition. Every level of reading should be covered, from beginners to adult, because EVERYONE in the family should be reading. Invite patrons to donate a book and pick out a another book or themselves. It is great fun and the conversations about the books will be endless.
Tweens and teens like to explore their individuality and a wonderful way to give them an outlet for that creativity is with a Back To School Craft Night. Provide a variety of crafts for the tweens/teens choose from like beaded pins that they can put on their backpacks. Mirror magnets are perfect for lockers and with craft foam, fake gems, a hot glue gun, an evening of fun is ready to begin. For guys' lockers, let them create their own magnets with their favorite quote or picture.
One thing that is universal about all kids is that they want to look "cool" and not stick out like a sore thumb. Host a what's hot and what's not night in fashion where fashion experts (you can find them at the mall in major department stores) and even hair stylist to give advice on how to look great on the first day of school. After the program remind your patrons that the latest beauty/teen magazine is available as well as other books on beauty tips.
These are just a few ideas of how to engage the community in unique yet affordable ways as the students make the trek back to school. The old tried and true annotated book list about returning to school is great but those lists will not keep the patrons coming back for more. These programs are geared to not only lure them back but to build a positive relationship with the community. What library would want to put up the sign: 'Thanks for Coming! See you next summer"? The better sign that every library would love to put up is "Come Again, and again and again!"
Monday, April 11, 2011
Celebrating With Weird & Wonderful Facts About Libraries
National Library Week kicked off officially yesterday, April 10th. At the beginning of any week's celebration, be it National Pie Week or National Fire Prevention week, there must be the obligatory statistics and weird facts to share about the week's topic. Libraries are not from weird facts. Some may come as a surprise, while others might generate a yawn or two. However, if you love libraries these facts will not seem boring at all. In fact, it offers a shot of morale for those who sit behind the reference and circulation desk or conduct storytimes. In no particular order are ten wonderful facts about libraries.
1. The Library of Congress, which was established in the 1800's, is the oldest federal cultural institution in the nation.
2. The largest library in the world is the Library of Congress. Care to guess how may miles of bookshelves there are in this historic building? If your guess is 745 miles, you are correct.
3. There are more library cardholders than VISA card holders. It must be because libraries help families of all sizes save money.
4. Who do you think would have more outlets McDonald's or public libraries? If you guessed that it was the all familiar Golden Arches, you would be wrong. It's actually, the blue and white library signs that point to the many library outlets.
5. The world's "greatest lover" Giacomo Casanova spent the latter part of his life as a librarian for Count Waldstein of Bohemia.
6 Children's materials account for 35% of all circulated transaction in US public libraries.
7. During his undergrad years, Edgar Hoover supported himself by working nights at the Library of Congress.
8. It's common knowledge that Melvil Dewey invented the Dewey Decimal System which is still in use in many public libraries today. Mr. Dewey was a true pioneer in the field of librarianship. He served as the head librarian for Columbia University for five years, and later became the director of the New York State Library.
9. Outside the New York Public Library are two library statues whose names are Patience and Fortitude.
10. What book holds the record for being the book most often stolen form the Public Library?
Guinness Book of Records, of course!
At the next social gathering, perhaps its a library fundraiser, enlighten your friends with library trivia. Who knows? it might even earn you a spot at the head table.
1. The Library of Congress, which was established in the 1800's, is the oldest federal cultural institution in the nation.
2. The largest library in the world is the Library of Congress. Care to guess how may miles of bookshelves there are in this historic building? If your guess is 745 miles, you are correct.
3. There are more library cardholders than VISA card holders. It must be because libraries help families of all sizes save money.
4. Who do you think would have more outlets McDonald's or public libraries? If you guessed that it was the all familiar Golden Arches, you would be wrong. It's actually, the blue and white library signs that point to the many library outlets.
5. The world's "greatest lover" Giacomo Casanova spent the latter part of his life as a librarian for Count Waldstein of Bohemia.
6 Children's materials account for 35% of all circulated transaction in US public libraries.
7. During his undergrad years, Edgar Hoover supported himself by working nights at the Library of Congress.
8. It's common knowledge that Melvil Dewey invented the Dewey Decimal System which is still in use in many public libraries today. Mr. Dewey was a true pioneer in the field of librarianship. He served as the head librarian for Columbia University for five years, and later became the director of the New York State Library.
9. Outside the New York Public Library are two library statues whose names are Patience and Fortitude.
10. What book holds the record for being the book most often stolen form the Public Library?
Guinness Book of Records, of course!
At the next social gathering, perhaps its a library fundraiser, enlighten your friends with library trivia. Who knows? it might even earn you a spot at the head table.
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