Original Question, SDC Comments, (chronological order)

Original Question (4/12/11):

Lisa Hickle (OH)

Many of Ohio’s libraries offered Freegal (music service in which patrons can download up to 3 songs per week) in 2010.  I’ve discovered there is no continuity in how they are being reported (in Ohio as well as other states). In an effort to guide our libraries on whether to report as downloadable audio titles (522,000 in 2010 per Library Ideas) or a database as well as whether they should include downloads in their circulation totals, I have done a little research on Freegal, spoke to some of our Directors, and requested advice of a couple SDC’s.  What I discovered was more educational and interesting facts along with some insightful views. Based on the info I have uncovered thus far, I would lean towards reporting it as a database and not counting the downloads as circulation (which would be un-popular with our libraries) but wanted to bring it here as someone may be privy to information I am overlooking…and in an effort that we all report this in the same manner.   Thanks! 

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SDC Comments:

Genny Carter (TN)

Nashville Public Library is among those that have a Freegal subscription.  As a library cardholder, I can download up to 5 songs a week (it was 20 for a short time when they first introduced the service) - if I do it before the weekly allotment is used up.  Here's the explanation: http://www.freegalmusic.com/users/ihdlogin

I'm not sure that Freegal qualifies as a database... maybe? 

However, Freegal downloads should not be counted as circulation.  Hundreds of NPL's patrons could download Adele's latest hit, and we're never going to return it. There is no *circulation* of these songs. These songs are never catalogued...   We do not count article downloads from databases as circulation either.   Basically, the library buys access to X  number of song downloads and offers them for free (in our case, anyway) to their library cardholders.

John DeBacher gave a detailed response when this issue came up last August which provides a good breakdown. Here is part of that email:

I don’t see much that resembles circulation of library materials.

--The library does not own anything—it just buys bundles of downloads.

--The library does not select anything—the patrons have access to the entire Sony catalog.

--The library does not catalog anything—if it did, it would catalog all of Sony’s songs (have fun, technical services!).

--The library does not “circulate” anything (if you consider circulation in the “loan” sense of something being used by an individual and then subsequently available to another).

The patron selects a song, the library “buys” it for them, and the patron doesn’t give it back, nor does the use sunset. If another patron wants the same song, the library essentially “buys” it again. I wonder if the library can track use to the individual user. Perhaps so, since patrons are limited to 20 downloads per week. But that would be a critical factor.

John also had links to articles on the subject from Library Journal. His original email was dated 8/31/2010. I know that some people might not have received that email, and he might re-send it for this discussion. I cannot forward it from my email, but I could copy it for anyone interested.

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Nicolle Steffen (TN)

In Colorado we also discovered a lack of “continuity” in reporting Freegal and other downloadable materials. I’m working with libraries to get data that is consistent with the PLS definitions, but some library directors are balking at not getting ‘credit’ for the downloadable materials that are not accessed through their OPACs. Many have expressed the feeling that the OPAC stipulation is outdated. Public libraries are on the cusp of major changes to their collections (e.g., e-books) and circulation (e.g., downloadables) and it may be time to reconsider some data elements and their definitions.

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Scherelene Schatz (NJ)

I have heard similar remarks from folks in New Jersey.  They are spending sizeable amounts of money on the resources and cannot claim statistical data for them. It is making some very upset.

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See the previous discussion mentioned above:  http://plsc.pbworks.com/w/page/39012963/Freegal%20(music%20service)%20-%20how%20do%20you%20count%20download

Link to Susan Mark's compilation of e-content:  http://plsc.pbworks.com/w/page/62572262/e-content