Hard News by Russell Brown

Does anyone else have problems with Friday Music posts ? My Firefox browser crashes every time (v 12.0). I have to resort to IE in order to view them. It is probably something to do with the embedded tracks, in combination with the age of my OS (Windows 5.0SP4). Time for an upgrade methinks.

My 2c is that this service is not really much different to borrowing a book from the library. It's not ripping anything off, it's a great service, of tremendous value to people with little money. Children would strike me as very likely users. People who copy music on a large scale would not bother. At least this way the artists get something for the music.. Admittedly the ratepayer is footing it, but thye foot the library in its entirety already, all the books in there, the buildings, the staff, and also all the existing CD stock, which degrades from use. This would probably save the library money, in reality. Might also make it more popular, which is all good the minds of teh yuff.

I’m all for free music downloads that fairly compensate the artists, but unfortunately Freegal isn’t convenient and open enough to be useful.

It’s restricted to some of Sony’s catalog, it only allows 3 songs per week and afaik it only promotes US artists – heavily – on the front page. There are not many NZ artists in the db, which they may consider a good thing depending on whether they get paid for these downloads or not. It’s not clear how Sony uses my library log-in data, browsing and download data. On the upside, the songs are DRM free.

I tried to use and like it, but it’s clunky, makes one jump through many hoops for a rather frugal reward. The library e-book service is not much better. Full marks to the library for trying to be instant and digital but I think there’s a long way to go.

(Firefox is working for me :)

Its a great service - one has to wonder just how much would be saved by scrapping it? - insert small minded regressive penny pinching rant here

I have been obsessed with this remix/cover of the Horrors by Connan Mockasin since I heard it down at one of the Silo session thingys. Must share.

http://soundcloud.com/throughlilyseyes/the-horrors-still-life-connan

I don't really "do" Soundcloud, so apologies if this link fails

in combination with the age of my OS (Windows 5.0SP4). Time for an upgrade methinks.

I'd definitely say that would be the first port of call! Windows 2000?

If nothing else, Freegal gets feet into the library, feet that otherwise may not be there. Feet that otherwise might feel they don't belong in a library.

Hey! Thanks for posting my tune Russel. That's great. I've been genuinely suprised to see my music going up the charts on theaudience, and I really appreciate the support.

Regarding freegal and the Auckland Libraries... If freegal is taken away as a cost cutting measure, will they also take away the CDs? Maybe Freegal being ousted would create an opportunity for theaudience to have portals on the library computers - supporting and profiling local musicians as well as getting young people through the door.

This is my booming track of the week.

1986 LA Rams promo song and video

Im glad to be back in NZ.pdf

for me to get an old piece of NZ sheet music through the city library to sing at a concert AT the library i had to pay $5.00. huh? it arrived with stern warnings about its use - i was allowed to sing it and great stuff it is

an opportunity for theaudience to have portals on the library computers

That would be great

Wearing my elected rep hat:

The Freegal service costs $205,000 / yearly. Small beer in the overall context of Council expenditure of a billion or so.

That such a small thing is offered up is really a reflection of a few things; Mr Mayor called for 3% cut across the Council whanau. Various parts of Council responded, in different ways. This is the Libraries response, and really reflects the degree to which library is a tightly run and well managed ship. There is no room there for any deep cuts unless you want to do really unpopular things like cut hours, or charge for books, or outsource the operation to McDonalds to run.

I appreciate learning that Freegal is likely used by those that are young, and disadvantaged - this throws a different light on things. Thank you Robin for pointing out the limitations of the service. And if anyone from The Audience is reading, feel free to contact Auckland Libraries to see if your service can be installed on their machines.

If you feel strongly about this issue, I encourage you to submit - actually feel free to submit on any aspect of the Annual Plan, or suggest additional areas of focus.

Doffing said hat...

for me to get an old piece of NZ sheet music through the city library to sing at a concert AT the library i had to pay $5.00. huh? it arrived with stern warnings about its use

That sounds like it might be an interlibrary loan fee. If so, the cost is basically for postage and the use restrictions on rare or older items come from the lending library. Auckland City Libraries has no leeway to loosen them. </former interlibrary loan worker>

yes, the library is tightly managed and well run but I'm not sure the library would have proposed this service cut as Freegal is the only downloadable digital music service available worldwide for libraries to offer members- doesn't make sense.

Thank you for posting about this Russel, I was leaning on the not opposing the item, but have now changed to opposing it (ie keep running the service). Seems like a pretty "penny rich pound poor" idea to get rid of it to me. Primarily hurting the disadvantaged makes it a even worse idea to cut the service.

The Freegal service costs $205,000 / yearly. Small beer in the overall context of Council expenditure of a billion or so.

What is the overall library budget out of interest?

Is this discussion is still active?

I tried to access the Auckland library Freegal page

http://aucklandlibraries.freegalmusic.com

yesterday without success. I emailed the library about it and received the following response from Karel.Brooke@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz:

Hi Howard,

Thanks for your email. The library no longer provides the Freegal service.

Kind Regards,

Details here.