[WEB4LIB] Linking to Amazon.com for Big Bucks

[Dan Lester]

I realize that we all operate under different laws in different 
environments and even in different countries.  Also, the differences in 
administrators and how they develop and interpret regulations can be 
tremendous.

All that being said, what the heck is wrong with making some money for the 
library?  A few examples follow.

Some libraries run coffee shops, often by contracting to an outside 
business.  It makes the library money, and the outside business too.

We provide copy machines and other devices, which often make another 
business money.  You had to choose brand X over brand Y somehow and let 
them make money.

Libraries often sell their names.  Well, they don't call it that, they call 
it "recognizing a major donor".  I work at the Albertsons 
Library....because the Albertsons, Inc. (USA's second largest grocery 
chain, founded and headquartered in Boise) gave us six million 
dollars.  Almost every building on campus is named after some business or 
individual who gave a few million bucks to help build it.  Many libraries 
have named rooms or other spaces for the same reason.

Public spaces are often named for donors or renters of the name.  Many 
public stadia are now named thus.  These are usually publicly owned buildings.

If 3Com can take over the name of Candlestick Park in San Francisco, why 
shouldn't we earn some money too?

Tomorrow's football game here will have a sponsor.  Budweiser.  Coca 
Cola.  The phone company.  Whoever.  Some company has paid a five figure 
donation to the athletic department for their name to be featured on 
programs, announced at the game, and so forth.  Advertising signs also are 
visible in the stadium, just as there are in most others.  Why not?

Even if I provide a list of online bookstores, or of all bookstores in my 
community, someone will still whine.  I may have missed one.  I may have 
not covered a wide enough area.  I may get a complaint that one of the 
bookstores "sells dirty books".

Many charitable organizations provide links to Amazon.com or other online 
stores, thus receiving significant income.  Why is it not reasonable for a 
library (a charitable organization if there ever was one) to do the same?

Time to head to the gym and push some iron around.  Y'all have a good weekend.

dan

--
Good, Fast, and Cheap: Which two of the three would you like?
Dan Lester, 3577 East Pecan, Boise, ID 83716 USA 208-383-0165
dan at 84.com   http://www.84.com/  http://www.postcard.org/