World libraries: A new library service

In the beginning of June tThe Library of Santa Clara county (USA) became the first state library providing to its users the opportunity to freely download music files.

The county library system now has the new digital music service enabling the holders of library cards make a constant search and download of the preferred music without any payment.

The service called Freegal is the online database with the access to music files catalogue Sony Music Entertainment’s. Every registered library visitor can download three songs in MP3 format weekly. The files could be saved in computer, smart phone and other electronic devices. Melinda Servantes, a librarian, believes that the service will become very popular among young users and will contribute to the library marketing.

The library representatives assert that the music files collection will include hundreds of thousands of songs representing almost the entire Sony repertoire.

The users could listen to music video before downloading it. The service is applicable to all types of MP3 including iPods. The songs could also be downloaded to iTunes. At present the service is only available for remote users. The county administration acquired the annual subscription for the service for $23.300.

The service will enable to decrease in a way the scope of digital library materials returned to Santa Clara which reaches 1.6 million units a year.