Anderson- the "long tail" in our collections

I think libraries can utilize the long tail in order to enhance library services, but I believe we have to be careful how we go about it. For instance, I wouldn’t recommend raising taxes to get libraries access to niche/long-tail items. As Anderson explained, people aren’t necessarily interested in paying more for the privilege of the long tail. I also wouldn’t recommend printing books and/or DVDs on demand. It just wouldn’t be profitable. What works for Amazon won’t necessarily work for libraries. There’s a big difference between buying and renting, and as every renter knows, demand often changes over time.

So, we’ll need a cheap way to gain access to more obscure items. The easiest (and lowest tech) way to gain access to niche items is to work with other libraries, through consortiums or ILL, to develop highly specialized collections across libraries. In this case, we could make niche items available even if they’re not housed in each particular library.

A more high tech way of making niche items available is by creating access to digital books. As digital books only require bits of file space (as opposed to paper, binding, shelf space, etc.), they should be less expensive for libraries to own. In addition, one digital book can be placed in multiple book categories. This can make the book easier to find, AND (more importantly for budgets) the library won’t need to buy and shelve multiple copies of the same book within the library.

In order to have a successful digital collection, libraries must highly organize their digital books so they are easy to find and access. In addition, libraries should be willing to offer a lot of assistance when it comes to digital books since many people are new to them. Allowing online recommendations, suggestions, and peer reviews within the digital books collection may help patrons feel more comfortable using a digital collection.

A variety of distribution methods is also something to consider. Previously we’ve had hardcover and paperback books, books on tape, books on CD, etc. With a digital library perhaps we could offer books downloadable to computers (maybe even cell phones), book available on memory cards/memory sticks, streaming online books, etc. However we offer the books, there will be people who prefer them in the various ways. We should take note of the preferred methods, and work to give patrons what they like (“Don’t predict; measure and respond.” Anderson, p. 223).

Finding ways to offer patrons more variety for less money is always worth the work we might need to put into attaining the goal.