Competency: Podcast

Podcast: Longshots #230: Is the Netflix Model the New Library Model?

Search Engine used: Google

April 28, 2010

Sarah talks with Sean Reinhart, director of the Hayward (CA) Public Library, about the launch of Hayward's Fines-Free Library Loan program. Based on the Netflix model, for a low monthly fee, library users have the benefit of unlimited loan periods and no fines. Reinhart believes that like the private sector, libraries must be responsive to changing expectations to ensure continued use and customer satisfaction. With the danger of layoffs and budget cuts we must look into a new model of procuring budget funds for libraries. In this podcast, it gives valuable insight how we can change our current practices to evolve with our communities expectations.

Details:

The Hayward Public Library does a study where they realize 20% of their users accrue late fines high enough to limit their library usage (about an estimated 20,000 persons). The subscription method they implemented saves money on overall work costs. The subscription fee they implement is similar to Netflix's in where they charge a set fee for a set amount of items. The fees are 2.99 for three items out at any given time, 5 items for 4.99, 10 items for 8.99 a month. The Hayward Public Library is trying to gravitate to a more customer service friendly system that major retail sectors have already implemented. Sean Reinhart wants the library to take on a more competitive model and encourage library usage by lessening the impact of fines on their patrons. The system is still in testing at this library.

This podcast was found through Google because of its broad search capabilities. Other search engines provided lesser results and made this type of topic difficult to search for. This particular podcast was chosen for insight into different models of library service that have yet to be tested thoroughly but could potentially change the way we use our public libraries.