High-Definition Blu-ray Disc Availability Growing in U.S. Public Libraries

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Several U.S. public libraries are expanding their movie collections to include the increasingly popular Blu-ray discs. The high-definition home video discs are usually more expensive than standard DVDs, yet for library card holders they still come at the unbeatable price of free.

With many movie theaters charging around $10 a ticket and Blockbuster and Netflix charging extra for Blu-ray rentals, this is a great way for Blu-ray lovers to save money.

Many libraries were initially hesitant about Blu-rays (some still are) for two main reasons. First, there is always the issue of whether the library can afford a more expensive technology. Second, libraries and movie fans alike weren’t sure whether Blu-rays or HD-DVDs would become the eventual replacement to DVDs. Libraries, especially, were reluctant to introduce a new format until this winner was determined.

In early July, Video Business Magazine did a poll of over 200 public libraries to find that 12% of them currently offer Blu-ray lending (up from only 3% last year). Plus, 68% say they will either probably or definitely carry Blu-rays in the future.

Here are some of the choices American libraries are providing for their Blu-savvy patrons:

• Washington Centerville Public Library
  Centerville, Ohio
  It’s clear just from this library’s homepage that they strive to be up on all the latest trends. That’s part of the reason their online catalog boasts a collection of almost 500 titles on Blu-ray (and they often have multiple copies in stock). Their collection includes everything from new releases to foreign films, as well as instructional videos. They also have an “Express Collection” for card-holders who want a movie for just one or two nights.
  Click here to browse their Blu-ray collection
• Half Hollow Hills Community Library
  Suburban Long Island, New York
  It was reported in the above article by Video Business Magazine that this library offered about 60 titles, though their online catalog now suggests that number to have exceeded 100. Their plans to offer the new format were first announced in the November/December issue of their newsletter. Like many other libraries who’ve begun to offer this excited new format, they’ve begun placing labels on Blu-ray covers explaining that the discs will not play in Standard DVD players.
  Click here to browse their Blu-ray collection
• North Suburban Library System (NSLS)
  Based in Wheeling, Illinois
  This partnership of Midwest libraries issued a handy guide with information on 30 libraries and their policy on Blu-ray lending. While 11 currently offer Blu-ray lending, 5 of the 17 libraries that don’t plan to offer the new discs before the end of this year say patrons have still been asking for them. Interestingly, the Niles Public Library District reports their Sony Playstation 3 video games “have been damaged much more easily than other disks, so it would take a lot of demand for us to begin purchasing Blu-Ray DVDs.”
  Click here to see which libraries offer Blu-ray lending

Does your library offer Blu-rays yet? Let us know by leaving a comment here, or by contacting us on either Twitter or Facebook.