Gothamist: Brooklyn Public Library Considers Delivery and Netflix

Still Not Amused

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 21:33:50 -0500

Good move ! It's an opportunity to make money for the libraries!

Rala

Sat, 24 Mar 2007 17:48:57 -0500

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

anonymass

Sat, 24 Mar 2007 15:44:04 -0500

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.

rala

Sat, 24 Mar 2007 12:47:46 -0500

you do notice how netflixs doesn't kow what the library is talking about,,,typical BPL

Berry

Sat, 24 Mar 2007 11:31:56 -0500

dammmmnnn, may be a good reason to move back to the BK.

cb

Sat, 24 Mar 2007 09:39:28 -0500

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.

anonymass

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 23:06:35 -0500

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.