The Zombie Stack Exchanges That Just Won't Die
Are there any restrictions that would prevent libraries from ordering latest DVDs directly from Amazon and offering them as part of the library collection?
Laura
First sale would cover the use of DVDs for lending, so I see no reason this would present difficulties.
Beware of playing DVDs as library events, though. That's covered by "public performance rights," which can be something of a can of worms.
This is pretty much the same thing as buying something at a bookstore to add to the collection -- which we do sometimes. I wouldn't be surprised if there are some libraries out there that have policies specifically stating that material purchases can only come from certain vendors. I do not work in such a library and we will buy items from Amazon or a bookstore if it is an item we need ASAP or isn't available though one of our vendors. Also, I have not seen anything on Amazon stating that libraries cannot purchase items from them.
Last year, Warner Home Video imposed a 28 day waiting period for libraries buying their new releases. I haven't heard anything since about this but it is another reason why libraries might purchase directly from Amazon.
We buy DVDs from Amazon at our library, but Amazon policy generally limits us to 3 copies. It gets us started while we wait for copies from our usual vendor. The copies we get from our usual vendor, though, are devoid of any "extra content" so they are bibliographically different from our Amazon copies which creates a cataloging issue. All roads lead to complaints from members, alas.
We have had no issues with markings on DVDs, but I did buy an audio book from Amazon once which had clear markings on every disk: "Not for sale to libraries." I was unable to add it to the collection.