Disclaimer:

This is a topic which I sadly am not well versed in, all comments are welcome, including “shut up Greg, this is already being done.”

Problem:

1. Libraries need an efficient way of getting rid of their books when they no longer need/want them.
   • Presently being done by the Friends of the Library groups at book sales.
2. Libraries need an efficient way of acquiring books they do not have.
   • Presently being done by ordering from publishers/catalogs/etc.

Assumption:

• 1 and 2 above have some non-zero amount of overlap.

Proposal: InterLibraryOwn

Using a central service libraries will upload the list of books which they no longer need. Other libraries can browse all books being offered and ask that books be sent to them. The libraries get other libraries to take the books off their hands while the other libraries get books which they want. For an already working example see BookMooch where normal people are doing the same thing.

At BookMooch people gain points for how many books they send out. With those points they can request others send them books. Something similar could be done for the InterLibraryOwn program, but should be done only if it is needed.

Unanswered Questions:

• Is the overlap between the book titles that some libraries want to get rid of and the title some libraries want to get large enough to be sustainable? Are all libraries wanting to discard the same books and wanting the same books? I would assume that might be the case.

• Does this solution only work for individuals as their reading habits are more varied (relatively)?

• What is the level of diversity between libraries/library systems. Or, a better way to ask that question: On average, how much does one library catalog share with another library's catalog?