[WEB4LIB] Booklend??

[Andrew I. Mutch]

As the original "sulker" on this topic, I'm still at a loss at what we are
supposed to learn from this personal attempt at ILL.  If I had seen
something truly original or instructive in the idea, I wouldn't have
posted any comments about it. But I didn't see anything in his process
that I would want to replicate in any ILL process.  My goal wasn't to bash
on his project or him personally but to express my frustration that this
is something that libraries, in my experience, already do and do much
better.

Maybe my experience with online ILL is not the norm. In our system, once I
locate the title I want, it's fairly simple to request the title through
the cooperative.  It's a very popular feature with our patrons and our
only failing, in my opinion, is that we don't advertise its availablity as  
much as I think we should. This is in DRA's Web2 system, which is hardly
on the cutting-edge of new technology. I would expect the experience would
be even easier in more advanced systems. But perhaps our patrons see it
another way?

I'm open to any ideas that can be learned from Booklend. If you have any
share, please do so.

Andrew Mutch
Library Systems Technician
Waterford Township Public Library
Waterford, MI


On Mon, 25 Mar 2002, Nathan Williams wrote:

> Maybe we should all take a moment and relish in the simplicity of the idea.
> There's no bloated process associated with him lending these books (as in
> the case of many ILL operations).  Also, he's paying for every step of the
> process and being nice about it, which is unfortunately not an ideal held by
> many lending libraries.  Many of the complaints about coverage of this item
> are reminiscent of librarian's cries over the web.  Although noone will
> admit it now that we all love the web, it wasn't too long ago that response
> to it was "why's there so much hype about online sources, we have databases
> right here".  The response and negative attitude regarding this item are
> exemplary of why libraries are losing out in this day and age.  Rather than
> trying to gleam ideas from the media's reaction or partner up with this guy
> and share in the publicity, there are people who would be more content with
> sulking about it.  If you want to write the NY Times or this guy a letter
> expressing your discontent, fine.  But, IMHO the goal of this list has been
> and should be forward-thinking progress.  Why not keep it that way and
> figure out what NY Times sees in this guy that's not in libraries?  And,
> even more specifically, think of requesting a book over the web and I don't
> think it's possible to defend ILL as being as simple or elegant.  There is
> knowledge to be gained here, let's not waste the opportunity by being
> defensive on account of pride or frustration.
> nathan
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Andrew Mutch [mailto:amutch at waterford.lib.mi.us]
> Sent: Friday, March 22, 2002 5:42 PM
> To: Multiple recipients of list
> Subject: [WEB4LIB] Booklend??
> 
> 
> I've seen a few references lately to "Booklend" and I guess I just don't see
> what the excitement is all about. The premise behind "Booklend" is that this
> guy
> in Boston will loan out books from his collection to people across the US
> and
> Canada who request them through his site.  He'll even pay for the shipping
> to
> send them to you and ship them back and there's no due date. OK, so if you
> get a
> book through ILL, they normally expect it back at some point. But other than
> that, it sounds like this guy is spending a lot of money to try and
> duplicate
> what libraries all over the country are doing.
> 
> Maybe people don't realize that many libraries allow you to place online
> requests and that they can get titles from all over the country via ILL?
> Someone needs to tell this reviewer:
> 
> "If the awkward mating dance of libraries and the web could break into a
> smooth
> waltz, it'd look something like Booklend..."
> 
> or this
> 
> "...Booklend is a thrilling example of web's power to democratize reading
> and a
> love of books."
> 
> http://www.centralbooking.com/readfreeordie_current.shtml?readFreeOrDie=18
> 
> OK, there are some awkward issues involving libraries and the web but the
> ability to request items from libraries via the web has only been a huge
> positive in my experience.  Even "Booklend" admits this:
> 
> "...If the book you're interested in is always unavailable, keep checking
> back
> or check out some of our other fascinating books. And think about looking
> for
> the popular book at your local library. Remember, Booklend is like your
> local
> library. Except smaller. And less convenient."
> 
> http://www.booklend.net/faq.php
> 
> Or maybe start by checking your local libraries online catalog.
> 
> OK, it's cool that this guy is willing to provide this service and it's his
> money and he can do what he wants with it. But it is frustrating to see
> people
> and the press coo over a service that libraries provide every day like its
> never
> been done before.  I guess it's one more example of how libraries need to
> work a
> lot harder to make people aware of the range of services that are available
> online.
> 
> Andrew Mutch
> Library Systems Technician
> Waterford Township Public Library
> Waterford, MI
>