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Netflix versus Blockbuster / eBooks versus Libraries

I know that this metaphor has been played to death but this infographic does a good job of showing how it played out when the ultimately online, digital Netflix business strategy did Blockbusters physical rental strategy in.

For public libraries we know that the DVD lending / borrowing business model under stress and possibly in extreme decline depending on what hapens with licensing and pricing models. Again, the physical and digital models are still evolving and a new hybrid strategy may emerge.

Now check out this article. It’s a nice summary of Google’s potential to change the access model to books (since it has 15 million digital titles already):

Google Enters the E-Book Fray. What Does It Mean?
The new Google eBooks platform could change the way readers look at digital literature.
Campus Technology, Feb. 28, 2011
by John K. Waters

“When one of the country’s biggest technology companies–a company that has already digitized more than 15 million volumes as part of a mission to make humanity’s literary treasures available to all–decides to sell e-books, it’s easy to see the move as a defining moment.

But it might be more accurate to call Google’s entry into the e-book biz a validating moment, particularly for the publishing industry. The very company that generated so many headlines (not to mention controversy) by providing online access to millions of titles for free is now promoting a retail/wholesale model. In the process, it’s sanctioning the idea that not all information on the Web is free.

In December, the Internet search giant launched Google eBooks exclusively in the United States. Within a few weeks, its free e-book reader apps had been downloaded more than a million times. (The company promised to roll out an international version of eBooks in early 2011.) The service offers access to more than 3 million titles–including classics, which users can view for free, and current bestsellers, which readers can buy and store in the cloud on Google’s servers.

Readers can get to those books from virtually any modern, HTML5-enabled Web browser.”

Printable version here.

How Netflix Bankrupted And Destroyed Blockbuster [INFOGRAPHIC]

Like I always say, it is a good thing that libraries aren’t just or only about books and DVDs!

Stephen

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Posted on: March 1, 2011, 11:40 am Category: Uncategorized

One Response

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  1. Too bad there is not a large chorus singing that tune – “Libraries aren’t just or only about books and DVDs.”

    OCLC’s Report to the Membership “Perceptions of Libraries, 2010: Context and Community” is the latest in a series of such reports on OCLC’s efforts to “learn about the attitudes and habits of the emerging ‘online information consumer’.”

    Putting the study results in “Context”, OCLC announces; “Not only are Americans using the library and its many services more, they also see increased value of the library for themselves and for their communities. They agree—overwhelmingly—that librarians are valuable. And they believe—overwhelmingly—that libraries equal books.

    We are in a whole lot of trouble with the library’s image!
    (21st Century Library Blog)