The CD Is Dead!

Slate magazine has an interesting article about the slow death of CD's.

By Daniel Gross

Mozart wrote only one Requiem, but in recent years, music journalists have written about 80 requiems for the compact disc, mostly in the key of boo-hoo major. Data from the Recording Industry Association of America show that between 2000 and 2005, the number of CDs shipped fell 25 percent to 705.4 million, while their value slipped 20 percent, from $13.2 billion to $10.5 billion. During the first six months of 2006, CD sales dropped 14 percent more. And as Ethan Smith wrote in the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) last week, CD sales are down another 20 percent in the first quarter of 2007. On Monday, Jeff Leeds, writing in the New York Times, penned an obituary for the CD, which has been driven into oblivion by consumers' preference for digital singles over albums. Last year, hundreds of music stores closed, among them the 89 outlets of the greatly missed (subscription required) Tower Records.

Conclusion: The CD is dead!

Except, it's not. Last Sunday, Paul de Barros of the Seattle Times chronicled the growth of Silver Platters, a local chain of CD stores that just took over an old Tower Records space. Meanwhile, savvy new-era businesses are jumping into the CD business. The same day Smith's piece appeared in the Journal, Starbucks announced its record label would issue its first CD this summer, from Paul McCartney. Earlier this month, Amazon launched a classical music retail outlet, capitalizing on the genre's impressive 2006 comeback, which was driven by massive CD sales from the unholy trinity of cheesy, nonclassical classical artists: Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, and Il Divo.

For the complete article link to Slate magazine.

NTRLS Awards

It is time to recognize those hard working individuals and libraries that are making a difference in our communities. There are many differenet categories including staff, volunteers, government officials and specific projects at your library. The application is online. Send this link on to your Friends, Board of Directors, government officials and others that might be interested in nominating someone.

NTRLS Awards Application

March of the Librarians

Watch the March of the Librarians video on You Tube- taken from ALA in Seattle. Very creative!! It is worth your time - take a 5 minute break and enjoy!

After Hours Book Pickup

The Library Administrator's Digest (February 2007) spotlights the Springfield Public Library's innovative solution for after hours material pickup. The materials are waiting for the patron in a secure locker located near the library's front doors. It's easy to use and available 24/7 for pickup. The patron uses the last seven digits of their library card barcode number to access the locker. The coded system will only open that patron's locker when the barcode is entered. This is a great way to offer after hours service without the expense of keeping the doors open.