Comments on: Redbox Rights and Wrongs

By: Swiss Army Librarian » Library Media Box and Other Vending Machines :: Brian Herzog

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:21:06 +0000

[...] libraries do have a RedBox, but that approach never sat well with me – it seemed like an uncomfortable competitive fit. But an easy-access vending machine that [...]

By: Swiss Army Librarian » Chelmsford Library to get Electric Car Charging Station :: Brian Herzog

Thu, 18 Aug 2011 13:05:53 +0000

[...] situated in the center of town. But it still does seem like an odd fit for a library – even more of a stretch than a Redbox. However, our solar panel array was also part of a Town grant, and the library was chosen in that [...]

By: Cari

Cari — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 19:43:11 +0000

I don’t like the Redbox idea… for most of the reasons you specified. I just think it would be more of a headache that we would have to deal with (and all the cons you mention resonate with me). I currently buy 10+ copies of popular movies–I’m lucky I’ve been able to do that even with the budget cuts–and it’s not nearly enough to satisfy demand, but once the buzz goes down for a new release, I have plenty of copies (and often I have to get rid of them, which puts me in a unique situation).

By: Oleg K.

Oleg K. — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:37:00 +0000

I wonder if Redbox allows libraries to remove items from their selections if, for example, a movie that is marketed as a documentary is full of misinformation (similar to “The Last Train from Hiroshima”) or folks complain about a title that is inappropriate for children, etc.. For both of these a lot depends on library policy, but how much control the library has over the items in the ‘box may be a factor.

By: Brian Herzog

Brian Herzog — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:59:36 +0000

It seems there are 200+ libraries already on Redbox’s waiting list, so us getting one any time soon is a moot point.

However, I thought of another analogy: every item in our catalog has two buttons, one to “Request Item” and one to “Add to My List.” Should libraries also include a “Buy from Amazon” button? It would be faster for patrons to purchase it instead of waiting on the request list (probably in almost all cases), and the library would get a little kickback through Amazon’s affiliate program. We could then cut back on items we purchase, but still create catalog records for non-purchased items, because it gives patrons a way to find them from other sources.

By: Vickie

Vickie — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:04:47 +0000

Adding RedBox at my library would probably not affect my AV budget (it’s already pretty small) and we can’t meet DVD demand (we rarely buy more than 2 copies of a title.) There aren’t any more DVD rental places around (except grocery stores, and they’re converting to RedBox, too.) We’d probably just gain back some of the folks who use Netflix now instead of the library because we can’t meet their needs. And any patron who returns a RedBox title to the library and pays a penalty will learn pretty quickly not to do it again.

By: Jessi

Jessi — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 20:18:54 +0000

I have nothing against Redbox in general, but I don’t think libraries are the place for them. McDonalds and Wal-mart already provide them in many cases. Also, I don’t like the argument of using these to lower AV budget – it smacks of elitism. Movies are just as much an information source as books and I am loath to judge my patrons’ use of resources.

By: Maureen

Maureen — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:52:02 +0000

I think this is a great idea, especially in libraries where DVD theft is a major issue. Blockbuster stores are going out of business where I live but library circulation of DVDs is higher than ever. I agree with other commenters who point out that a Redbox or other similar unit would free up collection development money for other uses, and provide an alternative funding stream for the library. Too bad it’s so low – but every penny counts these days.

By: Thomas

Thomas — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:59:21 +0000

Netflix and Redbox offer primarily popular new releases, a lot of which you’ll see on the 5 for $20 tables six months from now at Blockbuster. Seems a shame to spend limited funds trying to emulate a commercial model that functions on high volume. Carry a few of the “hot new releases” as feasible, but more classics (cult and otherwise), foreign, indie. I don’t see this as a conflict as much as an option to focus MORE of your collection on the stuff that people will want to view years from. Think of movies people say “Did you ever see this?”

By: Janet

Janet — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 15:25:53 +0000

“Its biggest benefit would be providing patrons access to DVDs 24 hours a day, but it also means patrons have a reason to be at the front door 24 hours a day, doing who knows what – the police department might not like that idea. Then there’s also the patrons who return the RedBox DVDs in our dropbox, those who put ours into the RedBox, patrons demanding refunds and tech support from the circ desk, blah blah blah.”

This, especially the part about patrons at the front door 24 hours a day.