LibraryTechtonics

OK, in my previous post, I said I wouldn’t get too specific. I lied. This post has a lot of specific stuff.

Roger Corriveau of Recorded Books is a funny, entertaining gent speaking about the new MyLibraryDV service, which just launched about a month ago. It’s much like subscribing to cable, where there’s a basic package, or you can upgrade to the more “Hollywood-type stuff.”

Before I get into the details of the packages, and the sales sheet type stuff, some observations I want to float on top…

Grab ‘em before you lose ‘em: Netflix is going to start offering downloadable video. Wongo and Movielink already made downloading popular. Amazon, WalMart, and other online stores offer downloads that last only 24 hours. So, this is an opportunity for libraries to not lose this market to capitalism, a salient point Roger made later in the presentation. Unfortunately, the packages are really, really expensive, and there is no option for consortia to go in on a group deal, so it may be an instance where cost will keep libraries from doing something progressive. Also, the service is *not* available for academic libraries, the licensing doesn’t allow it.

“Because what do we know”: Not only has Recorded Books hired a producer to work on their original content (see below), they’ve hired a PR person to promote the service for the first time ever in Recorded Books history. I *love* that. Libraries need to learn from this, to bring in outside folks to help the library where it’s lacking, and make the knowledge transferable from the outside industries to librarianship.

OK, Sales Sheet commences now –

The basic package includes:

* Classic (32) Independent/Foreign (20) feature films

* Travel programs – Globe Trekker, etc.

* Cooking shows – Julia Child, etc.

* Health and Wellness – working on fitness video, yoga, pilates, etc.

* How-To progamming – including Antiques Road Show!

* Original productions – produced by MyLibraryTV, developed by a 4-time Emmy award winning producer, “because what do we know?”

* Contributed Video Content from subscriber libraries – YouTube for libraries! Kinda. What you upload becomes part of your subscription. So if an author comes for a book talk, and you record it on video, and using the prefab authorization forms from Recorded Books, you’re all set. Subscriber libraries will see the nationwide pool of library content. This would be awesome for recording classes, screencasts, author talks, events, everything! (Uploading is *not* instant. You send them the video on DVD or digital file, and it takes 3 weeks to upload. Not as instant as YouTube, and not as wide an audience since it’s limited to MyLibraryDV subscribers. However, they *can* do some editing for you.)

How does it work?
Patrons need a download manager, a la Overdrive, a 2 minute download. Authentication is by barcode only, plain and simple.

This is on-demand, simultaneous access with progressive download (you can start watching the video before it’s done downloading). So, you must have high speed, broadband internet.

Licensed content, exclusive to their market, so no one can sell you what they have. Patron can download up to 10 packages for up to 7 days.

The interface is sexy, slick, simple, and *visual*. Videos are not burnable, nor can they be downloaded to a portable device. The video isn’t exactly DVD quality for everything (he showed us a movie and a Julia Child cooking show episode).

What libraries get:
* Subscription for access (over 450 hours of content to start)
* Package of upload hours for local content
* Download hours
* Customized web site
* Administrative site: stats, content control, customer service, tech support, all planned network additional video content at no additional charge (entire database for one price)
* Free MARC records
* Marketing materials package

Basic pricing:
They’re currently offering a deal on all their packages, where you get 1/2 off for the first year, but the discount expires next week (prices reflect discount):
Category 2 library (100k+ circ, 500k+ population): $1325, 26 upload hours
Category 1 library (>100,000 circs): $500

May 1 is the next start date.

Hollywood Favorites
* 700+ DVDs to start

* Unlimited simultaneous access, no platform fee

* Feature films, TV shows, and *British* TV

* Need the basic package to get the Hollywood package

Each patron gets 1 movie in each 24-hour period, and the same movie can’t be downloaded more than 2x in a 6-month period. 24 hours starts from 1st play of file, multiple views available within that 24 hours, like RCN Video On-Demand and Pay-Per-View.

Cat 2 library: 100,000+ circs, $4000 annual, 1600 downloads, $2.50/download
Cat 1 library: >100,000 circs, $2000 annual, 800 downloads

Hollywood Hits!
* 55 films that feature what’s out now

* DV simultaneous drop with DVD in stores and rental places

* List changes every month, about 5 films come off and 6 go on, like HBO or a leasing plan for films. They’re working out the final negotiations for this package.

Cat 2 library: $3000 annual, 800 downloads, $3.50/download
Cat 1 library: $1500 annual, 400 downloads

Tags: technology
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