07 August 2010

Public libraries beat Netflix

From an article at Gizmodo:
Apparently, your local library is the biggest DVD rental store in the US. According to a survey released by the Online Computer Library Center, US public libraries lend an average 2.1 million movies/day. That's more than Netflix, Redbox and Blockbuster.

The libraries' 2.1 million a day eeks past Netflix, which ships 2 million movies/day, and is clearly ahead of Redbox which manages 1.4 million and sad ol' Blockbuster who's at 1.2 million. It's sort of crazy that public libraries are such a hot bed for movie rentals, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised: nothing beats free.
"Eeks"?  Try "ekes."  But... point taken.  Our family uses the Madison public library system for about a hundred DVDs per year.  We offer something back by joining the Friends of the Library and through donations of books, etc.  It's still a great deal.

2 comments:

  1. Maybe not even "ekes".

    Oxford dictionaries Online (http://oxforddictionaries.com/search?q=eke)
    …make an amount or supply of something last longer by using or consuming it frugally…

    American Heritage (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/eke)
    1. To supplement with great effort. Used with out: eked out an income by working two jobs.
    2. To get with great effort or strain. Used with out: eke a bare existence from farming in an arid area.
    3. To make (a supply) last by practicing strict economy. Used with out.

    I think the Gizmodo intention was "squeaks past Netflix" -- but with an eek-sized squeak.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You're right! Apparently you can "eke out" but NOT "eke by" or "eke past" - although Google gives a few thousand hits for those phrases [and the "eek" counterparts], many from sports reporting.

    ReplyDelete

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