There is a good article in the Capital Times extolling the virtues of the Madison Public Library’s (the South Central Library System’s actually) hold system.
Maybe it’s not as fast or convenient as Netflix, but the Madison Public Library allows its users to go online and put holds on movies, but also TV series, books, CDs and audio books. And those who take advantage of the system say you can’t beat the price: It’s free.
I’ve mentioned it before, but I use this all the time. I’m currently working my way through season two of Battlestar Galatica. It’s great that you can have items from the whole library system delivered to your local library. And you can request it all online. When it comes in you just pick it up at the circulation desk – you’re in and out in less than five minutes.