I agree completely. And as a big fan of Michael E. Porter, the challenge for local public libraries is that they have no real direct competition, although they have lots of substitutes – like bookstores and using a PC at home or work to access information. So without direct competition based on what real customers want in terms of quality content, the library procurement process becomes more of a personal and politically correct activity. Who decides what good content is – and how often is good content replaced by the lowest cost content or the latest fad. What worse is their no differentiation between local libraries – they ALL have more copies of Harry Potter than all of the books written by Michael Porter and Shakespeare and combined.

As local libraries go digital, they have a great opportunity to differentiate, as well as share materials with other libraries. For example, let all the other local libraries in your state buy access to Harry Potter movies on demand, and your library specialize in selecting and accessing online business information – thus building a competitive advantage and knowledge of the subject matter, rather than just buying the same basic D&B/Hoover’s information that most every library has. Find out who has the best global industry information that leverages the ideas of Michael Porter. Do you want a hint?

Cheers,
Alan S. Michaels, co-founder
http://www.eCompetitors.com