Help! - DVD/CD Scratch Prevention for Library

[Nixxxed]

I need some advice from all you "techie" Ledgies... I'm doing some research for my local library to help them come up with some ideas to keep their new DVD/CD collection from getting all f*cked up. (Hello, Johnny Stew, are you reading this??? :p )

They bought a hundred or so DVDs about 9 months ago, and most of them are now basically unplayable trash -- or cool home decor materials if you're a Trading Spaces fan. Especially the Kiddie DVDs ... sheesh ... I swear those little terrors are playing Frisbee with them. They expect to completely phase out videotapes in the next year, and have a DVD-only library.

I've been doing some research about DVD/CD covers to prevent scratches, smudges, baby drool, etc. We feel we need something that attaches to the actual discs, as our nice "Please handle with care!" labels are obviously being ignored. We really don't want to get into the whole scratch-repair game (either the machines or the goopy repair chemicals and kits). We're looking for prevention tools.

Anyway, I'm getting conflicting stories in my research. One site says to protect the shiny side of the disc, and others are saying that the label side is the most important for proper disc play. Our library's discs have mostly bottom/shiny side scratches, although some have scratches on the label.

Here are some links:

Top-Side covers: www.azuradisc.com/dc_sg.html
Bottom-Side covers: www.d-skin.com/tech_info.html

Do any of you have any experience/ideas? Yes, I've already suggested to the librarian that a local Library Inquisition for disc scratchers may be in order, but she didn't seem to think that was too funny... :laugh:

[Johnny Stew]

Oh, trust me... it's absolutely ridiculous the shape some of our DVDs have been returned in. I don't know what people do to them. Finger-prints, smudges made up of unknown substances, scratches... you name it.

We've recently started using the d-skin protective covers, and those seem to be working really well for us. So I'd recommend those.

The only drawback about the d-skin covers though, is that they only protect one layer... so they're ineffective on dual-layered discs.

We haven't tried this product yet, but for dual-layer discs, I've heard that Quick Shield Protective Spray (http://www.libraryvideo.com/catalog_services/acc_product.asp?acc_sku=QSCOMBO) works really well.

And yes, you're right, if the top of your DVD (the label side) is seriously scratched, the disc won't play properly... but it's more important for a library to protect the bottom/readable layer, because that side is more likely to receive the most wear and tear.
It's very rare for the label side of the disc to be marred seriously enough for it to effect play.

Hope this helps! :)

[dissention]

And yes, you're right, if the top of your DVD (the label side) is seriously scratched, the disc won't play properly... but it's more important for a library to protect the bottom/readable layer, because that side is more likely to receive the most wear and tear.
It's very rare for the label side of the disc to be marred seriously enough for it to effect play.

They make clear plastic stickers that you can put on the label side of your DVD. :) The video store I go to used them, but then stopped when they realized they could get rich by offering "Video Protection." They charge 25 cents for insurance so that if anything goes wrong, you won't have to pay for the damaged DVD. If you don't buy the insurance and something happens, they charge you list price to buy a new DVD. Reeeeediculous.

You don't know how pissed I get when I rent a DVD and it's all scratched to ****. I just think to myself, Thank the stars that these people don't borrow from my home video collection. :laugh:

[Nixxxed]

The only drawback about the d-skin covers though, is that they only protect one layer... so they're ineffective on dual-layered discs.

We haven't tried this product yet, but for dual-layer discs, I've heard that Quick Shield Protective Spray (http://www.libraryvideo.com/catalog_services/acc_product.asp?acc_sku=QSCOMBO) works really well.


When you say dual-layer, did you mean dual-sided? No comprendo.

We have very few dual-sided discs (the kind with the widescreen on one side, pan&scan on the other, or special features on the flip side), so I guess we'll have to get creative with those - from what I can tell, the d-skins can only be attached to one side.

If you really meant dual-layer, why wouldn't the d-skin protect the disc? I mean, both layers are still read through the shiny side, so... :shrug:

Thanks for the Library Video link! I knew there had to be better info than I was finding...

[Johnny Stew]

When you say dual-layer, did you mean dual-sided? No comprendo.

Ack! Yeah, I meant dual-sided discs, not dual-layered. Forgive me, I'm an old man now... I tend to get confused sometimes. ;)

We actually have several discs in our collection that our dual-sided... pan & scan on one and widescreen on the other, or special features on the other side.
Some TV-related sets are also dual-sided, so as to keep the price-point down. We don't carry TV-related sets (other than made-for-TV documentaries from PBS and A&E), but I'm not sure if your library does... so it might be something they'll encounter.

Like dissention mentioned, they make those clear plastic sticker ones, but I've been told that the d-skin protective skins are "better"... tougher, longer-lasting, etc.

Does your library charge patrons to borrow DVDs? Ours are free to borrow, but they're only 1-week loans and we charge $1 a day for every day they're overdue. (In comparison, books are loaned for 2-weeks, and they're 10 cents a day if they're overdue.)

The video store we had here in town closed several years ago... they moved to another location, thinking they'd increase business, but, instead, the people in that area stayed loyal to the THREE video stores that were already there, and they ended up going out of business.
That's proven lucky for us at the library though, because now we get all of the video-rental business for our town and many of the surrounding areas. What also helps, is that we're one of the few libraries that doesn't charge patrons to borrow new DVDs.

Our biggest problem now, is working around the 50 percent cut the state made in our budget. :distress:

[Nixxxed]

Does your library charge patrons to borrow DVDs? Ours are free to borrow, but they're only 1-week loans and we charge $1 a day for every day they're overdue. (In comparison, books are loaned for 2-weeks, and they're 10 cents a day if they're overdue.)

Thankfully, all library checkouts are free for all material. Only, DVDs and videos are 2-day loans, with a $2 per day per title late fee. Sort of a "good librarian, bad librarian" scenario. But the demand for DVDs especially is very high. I put a hold request on "Calendar Girls" (HILARIOUS, btw :blob2: ) when it first came out, and I only got to see it this weekend.

I can't imagine what would happen here if the library went to week-long DVD checkouts ... rioting in the streets for sure!

By the way, I assume the d-skins are removable, right? Do you have any kind of system to charge patrons for missing skins upon return? We're thinking $1 fine (at least at first) for returns with missing covers to drive the point home that the discs need to be taken care of at all costs...

[Nixxxed]

They make clear plastic stickers that you can put on the label side of your DVD. :) The video store I go to used them, but then stopped when they realized they could get rich by offering "Video Protection." They charge 25 cents for insurance so that if anything goes wrong, you won't have to pay for the damaged DVD. If you don't buy the insurance and something happens, they charge you list price to buy a new DVD. Reeeeediculous.

How can they even prove you're the one who damaged the disc? They certainly don't check every disc upon return, so there's no way they'd even know it was broken until the next customer reported it. I happily admit that the dinosaur VCR I used to have mangled quite a few videotapes, and I just returned them and claimed the last guy did it! :angel:

List price?! BWAHAHAHAHA I used to work in a music store, and I know how much all this crap really costs.