Convenience or Impatience?

A great resource in these times of budgetary concerns in libraries is inter library loan. As a book selector, I do not feel as stressed when certain books fall apart or go missing because, chances are, if a patron wants a book we can get it from another library. Of course if it is wildly popular or needed it will be replaced. But why spend funds on old titles when we can share with other libraries?

As a society though, we are becoming accustomed to instant access. The idea of waiting three to five days for a book to come makes some people squirm. I have had more than one patron say they will purchase a book rather than wait several days and read it for free. Now, Bookswim has a Netflix like subscription program. People can pay for Bookswim to keep a book queue for them and, since they are paying a membership fee, have no late fines.

How will libraries adapt to these changing values? Should we? Will Bookswim become the book destination for the haves while the public library serves the have nots who do not have the money to subscribe? And will the haves be willing to support the public library as much if they are getting their materials elsewhere?