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There may be some crappy post offices in Brooklyn, but the Brooklyn Public Library is trying to expand its offerings for members. The Post reports that the library has been talking to Netflix to allow library members to rent DVDs - for free - as well as home delivery. So you could check out books and movies from the comfort of your own home - never leave your apartment again!
Dionne Mack-Harvin was appointed as the new executive director of the Brooklyn Public Library yesterday. Mack-Harvin, who started as a librarian at the Crown Heights library, mentioned home delivery option and said, "What other places have done is they've actually outsourced that to someone else. So we would authorize UPS or FedEx to actually take on that service on behalf of the borough."
Brooklyn Library CFO John Vitali mentioned the Netflix talks, noting that the library could save money by using Netflix since it's expensive to buy new DVDs.
Asked why the company would agree to a deal that might cut into its own subscriber base, Vitali responded: "We'd be paying them to do something. They'd be the provider of a service."That's as good a reason as any! However, Netflix's spokesman had no idea about the deal - maybe it's super top-level and on the DL right now. And did you know the Brooklyn Public Library (not affiliated with the New York Public Library) is the fifth largest is the country?
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Are you certain that the BPL isn't affiliated with the NYPL? I used my BPL card to take books out from Manhattan branches for years.
This is the official borrowing policy from the Brooklyn Public Library:
"you can borrow books from any public library in Brooklyn or from The New York Public Library (NYPL) and from The Queens Borough Public Library (QBPL) —though NYPL and QBPL will ask you for additional identification."
The three borough libraries (NYPL covers the Bronx and Staten Island, too) aren't part of the same system (i.e., you can't look up a book in the NYPL catalog and see copies available at Brooklyn or Queens) but they do offer mutual use of each other's library cards.
Unless I missed it, the article didn't specify how many DVDs patrons would be able to check out under the new Netflix plan. Currently, the Brooklyn Public Library allows you to have 5 DVDs at once. As the most expensive Netflix plan ($23.99/month) allows you to have 4 DVDs out at a time, with unlimited rentals, I'm guessing the BPL-Netflix plan won't be in keeping with the current 5-at-a-time limit.
Also, the Post article did say that the library was planning to use the new Netflix plan as a way to cut down their DVD budget, which is a good idea as a cost-saving measure (DVDs are expensive, get damaged easily, and often get stolen or not returned) but it does seem to mean that there won't be as many DVDs in the library, so for less computer-literate people (who wouldn't be inclined to use Netflix), this could be a problem.
dammmmnnn, may be a good reason to move back to the BK.
you do notice how netflixs doesn't kow what the library is talking about,,,typical BPL
Now that you mention it, I do vaguely remember having to register my BPL card with the NYPL's system. Once I did, I mostly searched for and held books from the NYPL using their LEO (online) system. But you're right: I couldn't pick up those books in Brooklyn - had to go to a Manhattan branch for that.
I am the lady that checks your books in and out and tell you that you owe money, it is a courtesy that the bpl will allow you to use your nypl and queens cards once we have your information, you may not return nypl or queens books to any bklyn location,,we do not access to their records either
Good move ! It's an opportunity to make money for the libraries!