That's exactly what a library in Pennsylvania has been doing since last year. But is it a good idea to expend limited funds, that could be used for more books, for a device that requires services many patrons may not have?
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A Roku lending program launched last year by Ephrata Public Library (EPL) in Pennsylvania has proven so popular that the library is planning to invest in several more of the media streaming devices in the coming months.
“We’re adding our third and our fourth [soon], and I would say this year, we will probably add six to eight,” said EPL Executive Director Penny Talbert. “There are always holds on them, and they’re circulating for a week.”
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But then, is this legal?
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And, although the matter has not been challenged in court, there have been debates about whether library programs that involve Netflix or similar consumer lending programs may violate those companies’ terms of service. Talbert said that the library has read the terms of service for the content providers carefully, and believes that EPL is in compliance, due to the maintenance of dedicated subscriptions for each device, and the fact that EPL does not use the devices to broadcast content to public audiences within the library.
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