Bookswim
There are a ton of book-swap sites out there, but a new online book service is up and running. Bookswim claims to be a Netflix-like service for books-- details here.
I am not the first person, by a long shot, to ask the question "...Can't I just go the library?" I like the convenience of having the books delivered to my doorstep, but this service is more expensive than a Netflix plan (3 at-a-time through the 'Flix: $17ish. 3 at-a-time through Bookswim: $24). So the prices aren't really comparable, on top of the fact that I can watch a movie in 2-3 hours and pop it back in the mail the same day, meaning I get a ton more movies per month that I could possibly receive per month through Bookswim.
Their response to the Bookworm vs Public Library issue is that the library keeps odd hours and you have the inconvenience of driving there. That's a case I could get behind if Bookworm weren't asking $20+/month for their cheapest plan!
They also mention that they have a much better selection, which is probably a valid point, but I have never had a problem finding something to read. That would only come into play for me if I were on the hunt for a specific book, and that happens pretty rarely.
I don't mean to cut on Bookswim-- it probably works for someone, but I can't see the benefit. I'll stick to sites like Bookmooch, where you can swap books you've already read for ones you haven't. ...For free.
6 Comments:
Another big difference is that there really aren't many ways to rent movies for free (although libraries often have a small selection of DVD's these days). Paying for Netflix seems valid because you still pay less than you would for the same service somewhere else. Paying for Bookswim is paying for a service nearly identical to the one a library provides for free. I know it's got to cost more to ship books than DVD's, but I for one love going in libraries and browsing for my next read anyway. Bookswim is a nice idea, but I doubt it'll take off.
August 21, 2007
I guess this would be convenient if you lived out in the boonies and didn't have a library nearby... but I'm still kind of amused by the whole concept, like the library has been put on the "obsolete" shelf next to floppy disks and phones with cords.
I love the library sounds and smells much more than Blockbuster's aesthetics, so even though I'll keep spending money on Netflix and sacrifice convenience for a trip to the library.
August 21, 2007
It seems like books would cost waaaay too much to ship to have any sort of business model at all.
August 21, 2007
Ryan makes a good point. Books weigh more than simple plastic DVDs. Secondly, not all libraries have a consumer friendly feel. Convenience does have a price. But I also think libraries should offer similar services. The Westerville library here in the Central Ohio area have a drive through window. So you can request books online, and just stop by. Libraries are heading more in this direction, but I think services like Netflix and Bookswim will develop more rapidly based on their paying user base. Some libraries are completely underfunded.
August 21, 2007
I actually found out about BookSwim at the beginning of this year, and contacted them to find out more about the service. I introduced myself as a librarian (although then I was just finishing my last semester in library school) and one of their reps told me that they had plans to try to cooperate with libraries. For instance, one of their hopes was that libraries might purchase plans from them and use their service for customers who want a particular book that the library doesn't have. (Of course, libraries already loan books to other libraries all the time through a cooperative called Interlibrary Loan, but that's beside the point.) I think it would be interesting to see if any of these cooperatives with libraries pan out as the service grows.
Jared pointed out that not all libraries are consumer-friendly, and that's certainly true. However, many libraries now realize this and are readily changing and updating their services to reflect what customers want. Public libraries might not be delivering books right to your door (unless you count outreach services and bookmobiles), but they are free, and even with the budget cuts many libraries face every year, most work together and trade books back and forth to meet the needs of their customers.
I'm very curious to see if BookSwim takes off.
August 21, 2007
I've never even seen a bookmobile. Sounds like a cool thing...
August 21, 2007
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