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January 11, 2007

Library Book Rental Service

A service where someone checks out library books for you and then returns them on time.

I love the idea of big piles of changing constantly free books around my house, but every time I check something out I invariably end up with at least a $20 fine. It's just not worth it. Also, I have no real taste, so I never know what to get. I suck. I never used to have this problem.

I know some people who are horrified when other people don't really have directed, specific tastes in things like books and music, and I don't really have a response or an excuse. I just don't have passionate feelings that drive me to seek things out. I mean, I have things that I like and don't like, but just not that much. I don't know that I'm doing anything better with that part of my brain -- I hope so, but I suspect it's actually replaying old episodes of Perry Mason.

Anyway, I know that there are plenty of people out there who are strongly passionate, up-to-date, and opinionated about things, and they should get busy making money off of lame people like me, not just giving it away, like Chris does with his media.

It's similar to my idea for more personalized TiVo programming services, and identical to my suggestion that library books are a great gift idea.

You'd interview the client, see what their interests were, or if they had some other motive (like looking smart in a particular area when their friends visited).

I think Erin would be great at this. Maybe I'll see if I can give her $5 to rent some books for me next time she goes to the library.

Posted by mary at January 11, 2007 1:21 PM

Comments

I think some library should just cut out all the overhead of handling the books, and when some patron requests a book that is out past its date, they could just look it up and tell the person: "Oh, it's over at Mary's house, which is at NNN XXXX St., and her number is YYY-YYYY. Go get it from her. And good luck." People like me who don't like strangers coming over to their place would be very motivated to get the books back on time. (Though I don't know that there are a lot of books I'd want to go to a stranger's house to pick up, either.)

Posted by: Rich Magahiz [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 12, 2007 9:38 AM

But Erin beta has flaws, sometimes she loops on one particular genre, or author for months. Do you really want to have to read about ten books by Terry Pratchett a year?

As an alternative, Amazon.com already knows me well enough to let me know whenever Simon Winchester or Mark Straand put out a new book. You could always add books you've like in the past and then delete them after it makes its recommendations.

I would also like the library to give out people's address, because I can feel a little spiteful when there is one copy that I have on hold, but it overdue. My egg throwing arm gets itchy.

Posted by: erindneofight [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 12, 2007 4:12 PM

I think Rich's idea is very libertarian, or anarchist, or something. And brilliant. And just ... might ... work.

I have an even better job for Erin. The plug goes like this:

When fines alone aren't enough, it's time for Erin H.: Library Hitwoman.

Posted by: maryherself [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 12, 2007 4:22 PM

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