Netflix and libraries

Note: this Netflix issue seems to be a hoax. Here is the reply from Netflix that I received today. It seems that they are not exploring this as a possibility...
"Thank you for your interest in Netflix. You referenced a "partnership"
with the Brooklyn Public Library, which you must have read about in the
newspaper or heard on the news. The story was misleading. Netflix has
no partnership with the Brooklyn Public Library, and Netflix is not in
any discussions or negotiations for any partnership with the Brooklyn
Public Library or any other library. Netflix delivers DVDs to
individual members who join Netflix for their personal enjoyment. The
company has no services available for public libraries. You can find
more information about Netflix membership at www.netflix.com.

Best,
Netflix"


At ALA midwinter, I heard of libraries collaborating
with Netflix to deliver media to their patrons. What
a great idea, especially for those libraries that are
poorly funded. I love the idea of offering our
community all the resources that Netflix has to offer
with us paying subscriptions for the use. Although
there are some implications such as student damages
the DVD, loses it, doesn't return it, we face those
possibilities anyway. I called Netflix and they are
test marketing a program at Brooklyn Public...
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8O1T6BG0.htm

They
will send me more information as it becomes available.

-------------------------------
email to: Netflix Public Relations:
I am the Dean of Library Services at Pasadena City
College and am on sabbatical leave this year,
exploring new technologies and their implications for
community college libraries.

At ALA midwinter, I heard of collaborations between
Netflix and libraries and am very anxious to know
more. And, if you need a community college library to
test the implications of such a program, I would
gladly offer and agree to write an article to publish
about the collaboration.

Please keep me in the loop!
Mary Ann Laun
Pasadena City College
alternate email: maryannlaun@yahoo.com