Dear Susan Thanks for asking these questions. The proximate cause was to try and respond to what we thought was expressed by some libraries: concerns about streaming and not having a permanent back up, In discussing the idea amongst ourselves we did think that it might increase the number of DVDs sold to some customers - but not necessarily the amount of money spent. And yes, maybe it would encourage some to license or subscribe sooner rather than later. Perhaps we are wrong, perhaps there will be unexpected developments, or little interest or feeling that this helps, we don't know - but that's something that we think is worth finding out. Let's see,
As for your idea to swap the offer around, we didn't think of that, but we're open to it. What would you suggest? Maybe that can be our next experiment! Best, Jonathan From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Susan Albrecht Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 1:40 PM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu Subject: Re: [Videolib] No more DVDs? - OK / Not Jonathan, I hope I don't sound snarky with this question, because I don't mean to be(!), but can you explain what the purpose is of offering the experiment with this particular setup? Are you hoping to increase the number of streaming subscriptions? Hoping to bolster DVD sales? Or something different? I guess I don't see a whole lot of those who DO have a large commitment to streamed video already saying, "Gosh, we wish we could also buy the DVD, but as is, we're only able to afford the streaming." What I'm seeing, rather, is a number of us saying, "Gosh, we wouldn't mind dabbling in streaming, but as is, we're only able to afford the DVD." In other words, I'm surprised the experiment isn't the OPPOSITE: Anyone who purchases "X" number of DVDs can add on the streamed versions for 50% off, or add a collection for a certain % discount. Or maybe I'm missing the point altogether. I recognize that's a distinct possibility! Susan Susan Albrecht Graduate Fellowship Advisor Library Media Acquisitions Manager Wabash College Lilly Library 765-361-6216 (acquisitions) / 765-361-6297 (fellowships) 765-361-6295 fax albre...@wabash.edu<mailto:albre...@wabash.edu> Twitter: @Wab_Fellowships www.facebook.com/wabashcollegelibrary.films<http://www.facebook.com/wabashcollegelibrary.films> ******************************************************************* "If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice." --Neil Peart ******************************************************************* From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu<mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu> [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Jonathan Miller Sent: Thursday, November 05, 2015 10:23 AM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu<mailto:videolib@lists.berkeley.edu> Subject: [Videolib] No more DVDs? - OK / Not I 've been snowed under by all the responses to my question! And I agree with Barb, one of the main things that we've known, but that has been brought home again here, is that no one size will fit all. I've been in this business (if it is a business) for over 35 years, and one thing I can say for sure: every year things get a bit more complicated. In any case apparent from this discussion is that many of you, while acknowledging and, in most cases, accommodating the increasingly pervasive transition to digital delivery/streaming, DO want to have at least the option of also acquiring DVDs, whether as a back-up to loss of online access, and/or for the DVD's utility in its own right - and the notion of subscribing (for one year or three years or whatever short of forever) to individual films, or large collections, is a difficult trade off of missions, and money, at best. Given that we (and I write here on behalf of both Bullfrog Films and Icarus Films) are on both sides of a complimentary sword, we have been talking about this the last two days, and have thought of an experiment that we would like to put forward: What if, when you license a film for streaming online, or subscribe to an entire collection, you could then also acquire any of those films on DVD for half price? So, if you were to subscribe to The Docuseek2 Collection, you could then buy any Bullfrog Films or Icarus Films DVD, for 50% off, during the entire time your license or subscription is in place. Would this make it practical for more libraries to address both imperatives of collection development? Would it make the tradeoffs a little less difficult? We've discussed that this may reduce aggregate sales by the "film distribution" companies, but it might also make the transitions underway on both sides of the equation smoother? We would like to find out, and so we (both companies) will make this offer available until 12/31/15: Any institution that is currently licensing The Docuseek2 Collection, or commits to licensing The Docuseek2 Collection by December 31, 2015 (whether with a basic subscription, or via DS2's Evidence Based Acquisition program) will be able to purchase, while their license is in force, any title (from either Bullfrog Films or Icarus Films) that available from (or added to) The Docuseek2 Collection, at half price. Both companies will leave this offer in place through the end of the year, and in January we will evaluate how it went (all of us together, hopefully) and whether or not we should continue, modify, or drop this idea. Look forward to hearing your thoughts on this! We'll be very interested to see what happens. Thanks again for all the comments, and best for now. Jonathan Miller For Bullfrog Films & Icarus Films From: videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu<mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu> [mailto:videolib-boun...@lists.berkeley.edu] On Behalf Of Bergman, Barbara J Sent: Wednesday, November 04, 2015 4:21 PM To: videolib@lists.berkeley.edu<mailto:videolib@lists.berkeley.edu> Subject: Re: [Videolib] No more DVDs? I think the one clear answer we've gotten out of this discussion is that there is no one right answer. Academic libraries are pretty diverse. :) Barb Bergman | Media Services & Interlibrary Loan Librarian | Minnesota State University, Mankato | (507) 389-5945 | barbara.berg...@mnsu.edu<mailto:barbara.berg...@mnsu.edu>
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
