Free Library of Philadelphia discontinuing remote memberships

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by stumped

it would be good to know, though, what other big libraries still offer pay-for memberships options for non USA residents.
being able to join a usa library makes it possible to borrow kindle formats, which cant be done in other countries

The biggest is also the most expensive. Orange County Florida (Orlando) allows remote access for non-residents for $125/yr. The have over 110,000 with Overdrive plus Freading, Axis360 and Hoopla.

[BadBilly]

I'm glad to see people being understanding about this change. I'm fortunate to have a very good local library, but I can see how remote access could be good for a lot of folks. Unfortunately, with the prices for e-books that libraries must pay, there's no way they're breaking even on the service. The kind of people who seek out and subscribe for remote access are going to be heavier users. Issy's back-of-envelope numbers show that the library is likely losing money on those remote users, who are being subsidized by the local users whose taxes support the place. Add in the additional delays local users might experience because of borrowing by remote users and the principle of providing access to as many people as they can trips over the reality of budget.

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by BadBilly

Issy's back-of-envelope numbers show that the library is likely losing money on those remote users, who are being subsidized by the local users whose taxes support the place.

Brooklyn certainly makes money off of me if that envelope back is anywhere close to correct.

I realize that's no evidence. But how many people really read thirty books a year from one source?

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

I realize that's no evidence. But how many people really read thirty books a year from one source?

A person doesn't need to read them just borrow them.

[Catlady]

The Houston Public Library offers a nonresident card for $40/yr. I'm tempted.

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by Fbone

A person doesn't need to read them just borrow them.

That's a good point.

I myself only finish maybe 60 percent of the books I start, although the percentage seems to go up as I age, and I think it is higher with eBooks.

There might be some who read very large numbers of quite short books. While short books are cheaper, they tend to be much more expensive, per word, than long ones.

Others might borrow a lot more books than they could ever even get to by the due date, perhaps in a triumph of hope over experience.

My guess is that any net profitability must be marginal -- otherwise more libraries would do it. But it's all speculation.

[Terisa de morgan]

Does anybody know any other library which offers card for resident out of country and that has FReading?

[issybird]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

My guess is that any net profitability must be marginal -- otherwise more libraries would do it. But it's all speculation.

Of course it's all speculation. Speculation is fun.

Still, at a minimum, there's a lot more potential loss than profit on each individual account. And as you pointed out, as the price of a membership goes up, the more the profitable paid patrons will drop out. I even suspect $50/year is a psychologically important pricing point. "Only a buck a week," even the marginal might think, but that's about as high as they'll go. And once they stop subsidizing the heavy paid users, it's game over.

I don't think thirty books a year is excessive. Some, many even, only read library books. If FLP is their main source (and they've probably joined because of a dire local alternative), easy-peasy. Speaking just for myself and I'm a heavy reader, about a third of my books each year are bought, which puts the remainder of my reads, amounting in the high two figures, sourced elsewhere.

[Fbone]

Originally Posted by Terisa de morgan

Does anybody know any other library which offers card for resident out of country and that has FReading?

Orange County Florida does but it is pricey.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by Fbone

Orange County Florida does but it is pricey.

Thank you! I didn't remember it.

[issybird]

I found an interesting blog post which purports to list all the non-resident paid ecard options. It was written less than a year ago, so I'd hope the info would be mostly current. One caveat: it seems to be based on mailing a card in some instances, which might not be an option for non-US applicants.

https://weightywords.net/best-non-re...rdrive-access/

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by issybird

I found an interesting blog post which purports to list all the non-resident paid ecard options. It was written less than a year ago, so I'd hope the info would be mostly current. One caveat: it seems to be based on mailing a card in some instances, which might not be an option for non-US applicants.

https://weightywords.net/best-non-re...rdrive-access/

Thank you! There are some I didn't know.

[JSWolf]

I just got my FLP library care renewed for another year.

[stumped]

Originally Posted by issybird

.. One caveat: it seems to be based on mailing a card in some instances, which might not be an option for non-US applicants.

https://weightywords.net/best-non-re...rdrive-access/

yes. one says "You must mail the application and a check [ sic] to the main library. "

very quaint, and a total non starter for non USA folks. Our UK Cheques were never designed for mailing to upstart countries who cant spell

Cheque is the standard spelling in British English, where it has been used since the earlier 19th century

- and we should know - we invented them

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by stumped

yes. one says "You must mail the application and a check [ sic] to the main library. "

very quaint, and a total non starter for non USA folks. Our UK Cheques were never designed for mailing to upstart countries who cant spell

Cheque is the standard spelling in British English, where it has been used since the earlier 19th century

- and we should know - we invented them