The Long Tail in the Library

It's a hard call  ... will the library world benefit from Chris Anderson's Long Tail theory?  In some ways, one can argue "yes."  With more and more ebooks becoming available at the public libraries, patrons can download audio formats of their favorite books.  Databases and other online sources absolutely make researching subject matter efficient while saving space.  Library web pages touting reader's advisory service ("if you like this, you should try this ...") and book blogs help to introduce patrons to material they might not have considered.  Physical space is less of an issue than it used to be.  Free or minimal cost to read, view and use materials is at an all time high.  All of this should translate into benefits to the library world.

On the other hand, every public library in town has visions of emulating the local Barnes & Noble with the coffee bar and all!  This takes us back to the old method of browsing and physically handling the merchandise that we may or may not consume (although it sure appears there's massive consumption of those lattes!).  The inventory takes space, and best sellers that are not marketed appropriately may be found on the clearance displays so the company can break even.  After all, why buy a book when you are invited to sit and read it while enjoying a cup of coffee?

While it looks like the library world COULD benefit from Anderson's ideaology, our economy and budgetary constraints of municipalities may weaken the possibilities.  Underfunded libraries will be unable to purchase the materials patrons want, and the domino effect will begin.