Library Juice 3:1 Supplement - January 5, 2000
Messages from a variety of discussion lists on Tacoma, WA Public Library's
decision to link directly from their OPAC to Amazon.com's pages for those
books. These messages are roughly in chronological order.
First, messages from PLGnet-L and librarians[at]tao.ca (anarchist librarians).
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 1999 13:49:35 -0500 (EST)
From: Katia Roberto <kroberto[at]csc.albany.edu>
To: plgnet-l[at]listproc.sjsu.edu
Subject: Re: "OPAC" records linked to amazon.comI knew there was a reason I was wary of AUTOCAT; I just couldn't
remember what it was until now.Katia, pondering how many enemies I could make on said list
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 1999 10:26:15 -0800
From: some cataloger (Actually Anne Heller, aheller[at]tpl.lib.wa.us, who
asked to have her name added back to this header. -Ed.)
Reply-To: "AUTOCAT: Library cataloging and authorities discussion group"
<AUTOCAT[at]listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu>
To: AUTOCAT[at]listserv.acsu.buffalo.edu
Subject: Re: "OPAC" records linked to amazon.comAbout a year we started linking titles in our catalog to Amazon through
ISBN's. If a title does not have an ISBN, the connection cannot be made.
We are not promoting Amazon, nor are we encouraging patrons to purchase
books from them. What we are trying to do is provide the added
information that is often available on a title through amazon. While as
an associate of amazon we do earn a small commission on book sales which
originate in our catalog, the operative word here is small.Our patrons seem to like the added information and no one has complained
about it. It does seem to me that some of the major vendors are missing
the boat on this one. Why don't B&T and Ingram make their enriched
information easily available through OPAC's?If you want to see how it works for us, go to
http://www.tpl.lib.wa.us/topcat/.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
>>> kroberto[at]csc.albany.edu 12/20/99 01:42PM >>>
>Our patrons seem to like the added information and no one has complained
about it. It does seem to me that some of the major vendors are missing the
boat on this one. Why don't B&T and Ingram make their enriched information
easily available through OPAC's?Because pinheads like the librarian don't think through the deals they
make with the devil. Last I checked, there were some digital "reader's
advisory" services out there. Whatever happened to Novellist?What librarians should be doing is working on an open source/free software
alternative to Amazon.com's reader's comments. This is the ethical
thing to do. After years of getting screwed by library vendors, it's
amazing that librarians will still pursue poor decisions like partnerships
with Amazon.com.Let's put it in different terms. Developing a cooperatively-run, free
software-based reader's advisory service is the vegan alternative to the Amazon.com
pink snowball (what are those pink globular donuts called?)Boycott Amazon.com and Etoys.com
Chuck0
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From: "Scott R. Jenkins" <srjenkins[at]bsuvc.bsu.edu>
To: librarians[at]lists.tao.ca
Subject: Re: [Fwd: amazon]
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 14:20:37 -0500
: does anyone know who else has signed on with amazon for that
: "service"?...valI believe this was mentioned here before, but the British Library
has a less sophisticated implementation, where you can click on the
amazon advertisement and it will do a keyword search in amazon.uk
using your query as input.If you are interested in the contractual arrangement of
affiliates check out:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/associates/join/operating-agreement.htmlSince Chuck mentioned free software, I was wondering if anyone
had thoughts on some of the problems free software arguments present
to librarians supporting them. For example, I'd like to see an open
source library catalog that librarians could hire consultants to
configure to their needs. However, in every library I have ever
worked there are catalogs, e.g., DRA, SIRSI, etc., databases from a
variety of vendors with their name boldly emblazoned for every
searcher to see, and so forth that are not and will never likely be
free. Is that ok? At what point does blatant consumerism become
distasteful? Why is advocating Amazon through links in the
catalog bad, but running Windows -- which essentially advocates and
advertises Windows in somewhat of an analogous fashion -- on every
machine in the library ok? Is it just a (barely) tolerable technical
situation we will eventually outgrow? Is the rub with the Amazon case
that it is a form of blatant consumerism that directly benefits the
library? Or is it the fact of a supposedly neutral public
organization is supporting a particular company? Or some other
reason? What then of the implications of that stand on other more
commonly accepted library practices?Just thinking out loud...
More on "Open Source" in Libraries:
http://info.med.yale.edu/library/oss4lib/docs/oss4libarticle.htmlCheers,
Scott
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Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1999 21:45:42 -0500
From: "Paul Schultz" <SCHULTZP[at]gwm.sc.edu>
To: <librarians[at]lists.tao.ca>
Subject: Re: "OPAC" records linked to amazon.com (fwd)go, katia! i was disgusted when i discovered the british library of all
places gives amazon prominent advertising space, but to link individual
books to them?? still, i'm not surprised--as you say that's what sucks
about autocat--it's full of lazy ass catalogers who 1) can't even tell
how inadequate and just plain wrong much of the information on amazon
is anyway and 2)who'd much rather just link to amazon instead of enhancing
records in their own opac if patrons really find it that useful ...
well, they certainly learned all those library school "outsourcing"
lessons well ...p.
_____________________________________________________________________________top
Now, messages from the ALA Council list
----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Rosenzweig <iskra[at]earthlink.net>
To: ALA Council List <alacoun[at]ala1.ala.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 1999 12:10 AM
Subject: library catalog links to Amazon.com?
> Dear Colleagues
>
> I know it's the holiday season ...but, what the hell.
> Is this a widespread practice (see below)? What do councilors think of
> this? Isn't it disturbing?
>
> Best wishes for the New Year,
> Mark
>
[Original message from AUTOCAT repeated above. -Rory]
From: "Karen G. Schneider" <kgs[at]bluehighways.com>
To: ALA Council List <alacoun[at]ala1.ala.org>
Subject: Re: library catalog links to Amazon.com?
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 06:51:25 -0500I too don't care for linking catalog records to a specific vendor. It's so
McBook... On the other hand, most of us want enhanced catalog records and
there isn't an easy way to do this. If OPACs weren't so painfully
prehistoric, librarians wouldn't be tempted to do this. We're planning to
have a link between our catalog and Novelist, a commercial readers' advisory
database, assuming it all works. I'm trying to decide if that's better, no
improvement, or whether I should pretend I never thought about the
consequences!Karen G. Schneider kgs[at]bluehighways.com
Assistant Director of Technology
Shenendehowa Public Library, Clifton Park, NY
http://www.shenpublib.org.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 08:24:55 -0600
From: "James B. Casey" <jimcasey[at]lib.oak-lawn.il.us>
To: ALA Council List <alacoun[at]ala1.ala.org>
Subject: Re: library catalog links to Amazon.com?I can readily see Councilor Schneider's point on this in
that improving service to the patrons is what we should be
all about. If the patrons want this service --- it saves time
and gives them what they want in terms of information ---
no breach of ethics would seem to be at work.On the other hand, the "small stipend" which was
mentioned as being paid by Amazon to the Library could pose
a problem in terms of promoting unfair competition.
Much as I like the idea of seeing Libraries get money from
any source possible, it is the local tax dollars which "floats
our boats" rather than the scraps offered by billionaires.Suppose that you owned a book store in the city or county
where the library has those catalog links to Amazon. Would
you be a bit upset at having the Library for which you pay tax
dollars offering an edge to a competitor? A patron sees a
book in the Library and wants to own a copy or buy a copy
as a gift. Where does that patron go to buy the book? The
library can provide information as to where to buy the book, as
long as the information isn't seen to be a recommendation or
isn't offered exclusive of any other relevant information.
At least, the Library in question might see fit to offer all local
bookstores with the right to advertise within the Library or
even put in a sales desk within the Library at some quiet
location (if there is one). Once the Library starts accepting
money for this from any business, the suspicion may arise
as to whom the Library may be serving. The answer should
be "the taxpayer"! Accepting the money may be a risky
matter from the view point of both ethics and legality.E-trade is coming on strong. Libraries are going to have to
find some ways of co-existing with that ever changing
reality and there may be some outstanding opportunities
for Libraries to improve service and to draw revenue.
However, it isn't altogether simple from the perspective
of ethics. Instead of making any firm and fast ruling on this
issue right now, it might be better for Council to delegate
the matter to an appropriate division or committee which
can study the variables.This is an important issue. THX. to Councilor Rosenszweig
for bringing it forth.James B. Casey --- Councilor at Large.
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From: "Therese (Therese Bigelow)" <therese[at]kclibrary.org>
To: ALA Council List <alacoun[at]ala1.ala.org>
Subject: RE: library catalog links to Amazon.com?
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 09:07:39 -0600Actually this all sounds like discussions we've had locally and we are
beginning the link with a local. independtly owned bookstore and then will
probably add Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com later.
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Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 10:21:56 -0500 (EST)
From: Pamela Sieving <pcsievin[at]umich.edu>
To: ALA Council List <alacoun[at]ala1.ala.org>
Subject: [ALACOUN:4086] Re: library catalog links to Amazon.com?
I think there are a number of ethical issues in links such as this. Jim
Casey points to a very important one in the probable reaction of our local
community's leaders if the book is available across the street at the
local store, but the library points prospective purchasers only to a
remote mega-business.I am curious as to the added value of this link. I played around a bit
with the TPL site. It's not as though the link is to a very valuable
source of additional information:
--not all titles link [with no explanation that I could find]
- one link led me to an empty-file message at amazon.com
--many of the reviews are not professionally done, but rather by
individual readers. This seems to me an extension of
the anything-goes aspect of the internet, and I don't
believe it's the best we can do, particularly as the
sole suggested source of information.Has anyone linked an OPAC with a book review database?
amazon.com requires exclusivity in links, so a library or other group
which chooses this link cannot add links to other possible online
sources.The appearance of an endorsement is bothersome to me. I was also
surprised to see a link to Tandem Computers, a division of Compaq, which
"power" the TPL OPAC. There is nothing to indicate the computers were a
gift from Tandem, so again this feels very much like an endorsement or
advertisement.To be honest, I will let you know that the RUSA executive committee
discussed linking to amazon.com from our notable books list
(http://www.ala.org/rusa/notable.html) and decided against it. When I
checked last week, there were no links from the Caldecott and Newbery lists
to amazon.com or other sources.
Yes, I'm feeling a bit "bah, humbuggy" this morning.
Pam Sieving
RUSA Councilor
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Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 10:22:30 -0500 (EST)
From: Frederick W Stoss <fstoss[at]acsu.buffalo.edu>
To: ALA Council List <alacoun[at]ala1.ala.org>
cc: ALA Council List <alacoun[at]ala1.ala.org>
Subject: [ALACOUN:4087] Reply: library catalog links to Amazon.com?
If it looks like a free ad, smells like a free ad, and feels like a free
ad, it's amazon.com! So I guess there is a new standard for non-ads these
days!Fred
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Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 23:21:10 -0500 (EST)
From: Pamela Sieving <pcsievin[at]umich.edu>
To: ALA Council List <alacoun[at]ala1.ala.org>
Subject: [ALACOUN:4092] more on amazon.com
A colleague just forwarded to me an article from the Charlotte NC
Observer on Sunday Dec. 5, concerning the Charlotte Mecklenberg PL's
agreement with amazon.com, which is different from that of Tacoma: there
is a banner urging library users to support the library by buying from
amazon.com, with the take being 5% for general orders, 15% when they come
as a result of staff suggestions. The program was specifically begun to
raise funds; to date, it's generating about $100/month (thought there is a
note that the library has sent out "thousands" of postcards to publicize
the program). There are comments by representatives of Commercial
Alert, and some details about the differences with the Tacoma PL program.This feels different to me: it seems much more like a commercial
operation sponsoring a library's programs. My sons' school libraries have
benefitted from Borders Book Days for many years (buy a book, mention
Angell School, and presto, the school library gets 15% of the sale, or a
credit worth more toward the purchase of library materials).
Greatergood.com and similar programs allow online purchasing, with the
purchaser designating the charity to benefit from a portion of the sale;
the first time I tried greatergood.com, I chose the friends of a small
public library in Alaska to benefit from my small purchase.One of the reasons I am not letting this discussion drop is that the idea
to link from the RUSA notable books list to amazon.com was approved
administratively within ALA HQ. As web policies continue to evolve for
the association, this list is a good place for discussion to take place.
I hope to see some interest on memberforum as well.Pam Sieving
RUSA Councilor
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Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 13:17:28 -0500
To: alacoun[at]ala1.alaorg
From: "Louise R. Brown" <waymail1[at]mln.lib.ma.us>
Subject: library catalog links to Amazon.com
I must express my disapproval of linking titles in the library's catalog
to Amazon. I don't know that this is a widespread practice. I hope not.
At an Ethics workshop in our community yesterday, the speaker warned us,
in accordance with Massachusetts law, about public institutions having
relationships withvendors, even if it is only a "small" commission. If
B & T, and Ingram also did it, and we are their customers, does not a
better offer/deal from one such as "bigger commission" compromise our
integrity and question the ethics involved in expending our materials
budgets? I assume the network I am part of is similar to many others
in the country--we maintain a cataloging center with high standards (full
MARC records, etc.) so neither I nor our patrons (sometimes with a
little assistance) have a problem of finding all kinds of added information
in our very own database.
Louise Brown, Chapt. Councilor, Mass. Lib. Assoc.
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Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 15:47:46 +0000
From: Steve Matthews <smatthews[at]foxcroft.org>
Organization: Foxcroft School
To: ALA Council List <alacoun[at]ala1.ala.org>
Subject: [ALACOUN:4105] Re: library catalog links to Amazon.comI agree with Councilor Brown's comments on this topic. I have also been
thinking about these Amazon links as a possible form of outsourcing.
Will we feel justified in buying fewer titles and fewer copies of things
if we convince ourselves that the patron can always get it from Amazon
and irony of ironies, we will profit from not serving her/his needs. In
fact, we may begin to count on some people buying materials through this
direct link from our catalogs. Is this the second cousin of the fifty
cent turnstile at the door of the library? What emerges clearly for me
here is that libraries serve the needs of users. The need is what
drives the operation. On Amazon, the sale is what drives the operation.
If you cannot afford to buy or do not wish to buy, then the need is
immaterial to the operation. The goal is to turn needs into sales and
then (theoretically in the case of Amazon) into profits. Online sellers
are hawking "relationships." They need to build trust and feelings of
reliability. This is not an evil pursuit, but they are not libraries
serving the public good. Libraries are trusted, and we are now willing
to transfer at least a part of that trust for peanuts in the market
place. I am especially shocked with the Charlotte Mecklenburg scheme
because it is so blatantly self-serving and essentially an institutional
endorsement of a vendor. I wonder how the local bookstores have
responded. Ultimately, this isn't sinister. I'm sure it was done with
the best of intentions to show how "electro-hip" the library is. But it
is incredibly short-sighted as a policy. We need to be fostering
confidence in our users about our own ability to provide electronic
information and provide information in all of its forms. Let's work on
demystifying and harnessing this information motherlode by providing
reliable, free access,not new doors to more dollar signs and credit card
sales. Steve Matthews Councilor-at-large.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 1999 09:17:26 -0800
To: ALA Council List <alacoun[at]ala1.ala.org>
From: Ken Haycock <ken.haycock[at]ubc.ca>
Subject: [ALACOUN:4111] Links to Amazon.com
Would that libraries linked to the database of their local independent
bookseller(s)... so that the client/customer/patron/user could make a
decision to honor a local merchant assumedly dedicated to diversity of
thought and title from both small and large, local and national,
publishers.--Ken****************************************************
Dr. Ken Haycock, Professor and Director
The University of British Columbia
School of Library, Archival and Information Studies
831-1956 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
Voice: 604-822-4991; Fax: 604-822-6006
****************************************************
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..From: "Therese (Therese Bigelow)" <therese[at]kclibrary.org>
To: ALA Council List <alacoun[at]ala1.ala.org>
Subject: [ALACOUN:4114] RE: Links to Amazon.com
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 1999 22:37:55 -0600Actually we are linking to our local independent bookstore --Rainy Day
Books -- first in Kansas City. Do do a lot of cooperative programming with
them even though they are in Kansas rather than Missouri. There is only one
other independent general bookstore in KC and they are going out of business
after the first of the year. This bookstore is in my neighborhood but I
would have had to quit my job to use it since it closed at 6 every evening.
Therese Bigelow___________________________________________________________________________top
And finally, messages from PUBLIB, including justifications from a
library manager at Tacoma Public
Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999 11:39:20 -0800 (PST)
From: "Dan Robinson" <dlrbnsn2[at]eclipse.net>
To: publib <publib[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu>
Subject: Re: FW: library catalog links to Amazon.com?
I sure hope the library gets a 'piece of the action'. But I don't like
the limit to one bookselling site. A library, and even a vendor,
should allow links to whatever bookselling sites do linking. Why
force the patrons to choose one or the other? As for competition, I
can see it as an enhancement. If you've read the book at the
library, and now want to find out more and maybe buy it, why
shouldn't the library get a 'commission' for originating the sale.The world is changing and while my opinions have been changed
on the 'library as bookstore' issue, libraries shouldn't shut
themselves off from adding a new service for their patrons.... and
making a bit of money from it also. I will go to Amazon or B&N
websites to find out the publishing status of a book, and then order
it locally if I can.I can see links to local bookstores if they have websites that will
allow ordering.As for the comments on 'enhancing catalog records' and online
'readers advisory services', they are plain 'mean'. I can tell you
from experience... it isn't easy and it isn't cheap. If you want a
good interface and good information and have it in a timely manner,
you'll have to pay for it... one way or another. .... Or, link to
Amazon or B&N.
Dan Robinson
drobinson[at]hwwilson.com
(much stuff from the original post deleted...)On 22 Dec 99, at 18:46, Nann Blaine Hilyard wrote:
> Here's an ethical issue to chew on, courtesy of the ALA Council list. Karen
> Schneider and Jim Casey have responded on that list, but I thought other
> PubLibbers would like to talk about the matter.
> I go to the Fargo PL's site every so often and noted today that they have a
> link to Barnes & Noble--not from the catalog, but from the website. (Dave
> Davis, can you elaborate? Does FPL get a commission?)
>
> Nann
> At the library in Lake Villa, Illinois
>
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Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999 11:39:33 -0800 (PST)
From: Peter Scott <scottp[at]moondog.usask.ca>
To: publib <publib[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu>
Subject: Re: FW: library catalog links to Amazon.com?
On Wed, 22 Dec 1999, Nann Blaine Hilyard wrote:
>I go to the Fargo PL's site every so often and noted today that they have a
>link to Barnes & Noble--not from the catalog, but from the website. (Dave
>Davis, can you elaborate? Does FPL get a commission?)Yes. See: http://ci.fargo.nd.us/library/book_store.htm
for details.
You might also be interested in seeing which other libraries are running
affiliate programs:http://www.lights.com/webcats/support/
I will be speaking about this topic at Internet Librarian International
next March:http://www.infotoday.com/ili2000/wednesday.htm
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Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999 11:40:55 -0800 (PST)
From: Terry Dawson <tdawson[at]apl.org>
To: publib <publib[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu>
Subject: Amazon in the catalog
In PUBLIB Digest 1098, Nann Blaine Hilyard wrote:
>Here's an ethical issue to chew on, courtesy of the ALA Council list. Karen
>Schneider and Jim Casey have responded on that list, but I thought other
>PubLibbers would like to talk about the matter.
---
>>About a year we started linking titles in our catalog to Amazon through
>>ISBN's. If a title does not have an ISBN, the connection cannot be made.
>>We are not promoting Amazon, nor are we encouraging patrons to purchase
>>books from them. ...
>>http://www.tpl.lib.wa.us/topcat/>>2 Responses :
>>that's what sucks about autocat-it's
>>full of lazy ass catalogers who 1) can't even tell how inadequate and just
>>plain wrong much of the information on amazon is anyway and 2)who'd much
>>rather just link to amazon instead of enhancing records in their own opac if
>>patrons really find it that useful>>Because pinheads like the librarian don't think through the deals they make
>>with the devil. Last I checked, there were some digital "reader's advisory"
>>services out there. Whatever happened to Novellist?Linking our catalogs to Amazon concerns me, but not as much as the
responses do. This is a thorny one, and to assume that those who decide to
do this are "lazy ass catalogers" and "pinheads" does not seem helpful.
It's a lot cheaper and faster to link an ISBN to Amzon or B&N than it is to
develop enrichment tools of one's own. In many cases, the libraries will
have no resources to do this kind of work, so the choice might be to link
to Amzaon or do nothing. If the patrons like it AND it produces some badly
needed revenue for the library, there are points to recommend it.I'd be more concerned with contributing to the death of our local
bookstores. There are our neighbors and partners, so I'm not enthralled by
recommending the net megastore over a local resource.As for "Whatever happened to Novellist?", lessee, if you want to linkto
Novelist, I think you pay them (for our library, our experience with the
CDROM product was not such that we wanted to continue, but your mileage may
vary). If you want to link to Amazon, they pay you. You need money to buy
books and run programs. It may be a deal with the devil, but it's not
stupid. My bottom line is I would not be inclined to do this, but those
who do are making a legitimate choice.>What librarians should be doing is working on an open source/free software
>alternative to Amazon.com's reader's comments. This is the ethical thing to
>do. After years of getting screwed by library vendors, it's amazing that
>librarians will still pursue poor decisions like partnerships with
>Amazon.com....Internet ratings said Amazon got 6.9 million unique visitors last week.
Like it or not, our patrons know Amazon and many use it. We can easily
associate with a well-known and generally useful service or we can do a lot
of hard work and invent a better one. To whoever said this (after too many
quoted messages, who can tell?): go ahead, get it started. Sounds like a
good contribution to "earth's largest library". Figure out how to do it
right and lots of us can do it together; but creating and sustaining such a
beast and making it useful and viable is a daunting task at least. I can't
blame those who have found an expedient alternative.Happy holidays to all!
Terry
--
"Only |Terry Dawson, Director |tdawson[at]apl.org |"Information
connect!" |Appleton Public Library|http://www.apl.org| WANTS to
|225 North Oneida Street|920 832-6170 voice| be free."
E.M.Forster|Appleton WI 54911 |920 832-6182 fax | S. Brand.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999 17:44:23 -0800 (PST)
From: "David Biek" <dbiek[at]tpl.lib.wa.us>
To: publib <publib[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu>
Subject: Re: library catalog links to Amazon.com?
Dan Robinson made a point that I can address, based upon our own experience
in linking with booksellers.
He wrote:>I sure hope the library gets a 'piece of the action'. But I don't like
>the limit to one bookselling site. A library, and even a vendor,
>should allow links to whatever bookselling sites do linking. Why
>force the patrons to choose one or the other?We have a link to amazon.com from our catalog - more specifically, from each
bib record in which the record includes an ISBN. Our contract with amazon is
non-exclusive and, at times, we've pursued the idea with local booksellers,
too. Barnes and Noble, at the time we were in negotiation with amazon,
insisted upon an exclusive arrangement and so we did not choose to link with
them. I don't know if that's still B&N's position.David Biek
Manager, Main Library
Tacoma Public Library
1102 Tacoma Ave S
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-591-5693
dbiek[at]tpl.lib.wa.us--my opinions only--
Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999 17:44:38 -0800 (PST)
From: "David Biek" <dbiek[at]tpl.lib.wa.us>
To: publib <publib[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu>
Subject: Re: library catalog links to Amazon.com?
At Tacoma Public, we've taken some hits on the issue of linking our catalog
to amazon.com (and some of the email could be fairly described as hate
mail).I should tell you how this got started. It was about two years ago that a
citizens' task force studying the Library included this with their
suggestions, with credit for the idea going to Paul Frankenberg, one of
TPL's strongest supporters and advocates. His analysis included a
consideration of whether such an arrangement might undermine local
government support for the library. He found, to the contrary, that the
prevailing sentiment throughout local government was to support
entrepreneurial activities.I believe we were the first library anywhere to set up such an arrangement
with a bookseller and reception from our users has been wholly positive.To see how it works, go to <www.tpl.lib.wa.us/topcat> Search a title in the
catalog and, if the bib record includes an ISBN, you get a link to "check
the amazon.com on-line bookstore for review and other information."David Biek
Manager, Main Library
Tacoma Public Library
1102 Tacoma Ave S
Tacoma, WA 98402
253-591-5693
dbiek[at]tpl.lib.wa.us--my opinions only--
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 18:33:37 -0800 (PST)
From: Liz Mason <LKMason[at]ci.fargo.nd.us>
To: publib <publib[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu>,
Subject: fpl & b&n linkHello-
We've recently started promoting our website on bookmarks. So far, our link
with Barnes & Noble hasn't been too successful income-wise. Perhaps
business will increase as our patrons start using our site more. Since
July 1- $173.48 has been spent in sales through our site, with $8.67 income
for the library. Our agreement with B&N is that this is an exclusive
arrangement.
I guess I like that the user can get to B&N directly or through our
"bookstore." The statement explaining the benefit to the library is on the
bookstore page for those who want to know. If you just want to skip a step,
then you can click on an icon or banner.Liz Mason, Technical Services Coordinator from Fargo Public Library
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