Scott's Stuff - Lessons Learned from Netherlands Libraries

[SaltLight7]

I think you have to define what a library is or should be and not necessarily in a historical sense. Should a library be a business or be run like a business? Should it be open to anyone? Should it house entertainment or food? Should it be a place that encourages culture or simply preserves culture? Should you expect to find "hard to find" items at a library or only "common" ones?

Only after these (and many other) questions are answered can one determine the validity of a given library form.

[snicholson]

@SaltLight7 That's not for me to define. A library is a service organization for a specified community, and that community defines what the library's role needs to be. Different communities have different needs, therefore, there is no common definition as to what a library is.

[SaltLight7]

@snicholson That's actually a very good definition of a library. I take it you've thought about this before. :)

[rross27]

Interesting and informative video! Nice job 8)

[Melville10]

Given the dismal state of the states' economies, pay to use isn't a bad idea.

[kittyminty]

I wonder if it is like this in all libraries in the netherlands. It's kind of a strange idea anyway.

I remember libraries being used often. So I don't see the need to try to attract even more people.

these days a librarie is also a great place to get free internet for many people.

I don't know anything about the library system in the US, I'm from Belgium myself. But starting to pay for acces to knowledge, I have my doubts, I should visit it and see for myself before I judge though.

[MechanicalBug]

Certainly not a fan of this idea for American libraries. Even under the existing system here, there is a focus on movies that ends up doing nothing but diverting library funds over to 10 copies of the latest Michael Bay mediocrity.

In short, people want dreck. Libraries should rise above the common denominator.

[jenninwp]

Interesting video. But it is worth remembering that Amsterdam and Delft are commercial and educational centers. I could see libraries in major cities and universities in the U.S. explore this, but I truly wonder if it would work in a rural setting? Could a fee based system actually function in an economic region that is economically suffering?

[lhk890419]

Maybe we should implement library fees, but maybe we can get the card free if we donate books.

[Serp1313]

If I had to pay an annual fee to get books I'd just want my books digital and transferred through the internet completely phasing out the brick and mortar library.

[JediSoulTrain]

Watching this brought back memories of when I was a child and absolutely loved the massive world contained within the library.

[alandesmet]

Are out of copyright (or never copyrighted) books free to rent? If not, who gets the money?

Mores seriously, if the library is so heavily focused on pleasing their customers, isn't there incentive to focus on the lowest common denominator? They might cut investments in lesser used reference works in order to get more popular movies. I believe part of the idea of the American public library is ensure access to information people need, even if it's sadly never used.

[alandesmet]

All that said, it was very interesting. I'm glad to get my mind stretched. :-)

[nutherefurlong]

I was initially annoyed by the community hub model because of the relative noise, but I soon realized that what it was was a library plus. It was a place to read and check out books, AND a place to meet. It wound up increasing the use of the place, and it really felt, to me at any rate, as the center of the town. They do have reading areas, quiet areas, study rooms, so it's not like I can't get a quiet area if I want one, but I've wound up using it as a meeting place quite a bit!

[chavaflamenco]

Great video! Is the Amsterdam library subsidized at all by the government, or is the funding 100% from the customer?

[Peter13101984]

Most dutch libararies are getting money from their local government, but to keep the open community model they are dependant on their customers.

It is a good thing to note that those 2 Dutch libraries are the cherry on the pie.

In the rural area's things are a bit less good looking, but a library still has the same function.

Great Job Scott, it nicely depicts our Dutch library system.

[Evilnitsuj]

You talk refer to these libraries as public, but then you go on to say that you must be a member to use their services. That sounds to me like they are actually private libraries. Is the membership only necessary to check out media or is it need to just get through the door?

Also, do any private libraries exist here in the US that operate on a membership model similar to this one?

[snicholson]

I had the same struggle of "public" vs. private - but anyone can come into the library and look at things there, use many of the computers. In addition, anyone on welfare can use it for free.  So, it's more like the tax is applied to the users rather than to everyone. But it is a different model than how we think of a US public library.

[amuzulo]

Interesting. When I lived in Rotterdam, one of the reasons I didn't use the library was because I thought (from my American viewpoint) it was outrageous to charge people an annual membership fee. Thanks for your interesting counterpoint. This is encouraging me to see what libraries Berlin has to offer!

[BoardGamesChicago]

Great Video Scott! Raises some interesting points. I am always in favor of considering the customer needs.

[Petrov202]

Excellent example of the Free Market at work.

[snicholson]

Thanks for your comment! I've added an annotation making a note of it.

[qtonic]

Excellent video with lots to think about!  Thanks : )