Head Tale

Libraries are best known for creating efficiencies of scale by buying books one time but lending them out dozens or even hundreds of times.

Increasingly, libraries are expanding their offerings, not just to other things they buy and loan multiple times (DVDs, video games, even musical instruments) but also buying and providing useful items with no expectation of them being “returned” after being used.

1. Food and drink – most people don’t think of it this way but every time we buy cookies or pizza or juice boxes or coffee or whatever for a program or event, we’re basically spending money on stuff that will never be returned unlike our usual offerings of books and other materials.
2. MP3’s – certain subscription services require libraries to buy music tracks on behalf of their patrons, no different than if the patron bought for themselves directly from iTunes – the library pays $0.99 per track or whatever and the patron gets to keep the track instead of the library re-loaning.
3. Tampons.  (There are probably some things you don’t want returned after use!)
4. Bike Locks (ideally, these get returned but that’s not always the case!)
5. Headphones (see bike locks)

What are some other items libraries could buy on behalf of patrons that couldn’t be lent?

1. Bus tickets – having a supply of bus tickets for those in need could be a great service, doubly so since most libraries are very closely linked with municipalities who already run transit services.
2. Electricity – this isn’t a huge expense but letting people plug-in their devices does incur a singular cost that can only be used once.
3. Office Supplies – libraries often offer photocopying at no or minimal cost but I wonder if we should also offer envelopes and similar items for free or low cost as well?
4. Food and drink – I mentioned this above in the context of food and drink we provide for programs and special events but I wonder if libraries should always “have the coffee on?”
5. Used Books – most libraries have a used book table where they sell withdrawn books at low cost.  Why not give these books away for free instead of the minimal returns they generate?