Librarian Rant-Nielsen Library Blog

Digitizing History

2009-06-18T14:42:00.000-07:00

The Library of Congress offers a peek into their historic photo collection. This project launched January 2008. Through a collaborative effort between Library of Congress and online photo sharing service Flickr, photos from the "Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information" to "the George Grantham Bain News Service, selected panoramic photographs, and other photos from the collections..." can be viewed. The photos can be found at the Library of Congress' photostream.

Nielsen Library also has hundreds if not thousands of rare and beautiful photos of people and places in the San Luis Valley. Reference Librarian Paul Mascarenas and Adams State College Student Bedawi Gomez have begun scanning these photos and posting them to Flickr. There are photos donated from local historian Ruth Marie Colville to pictures that have been stored in the archives for well over 25 years. Photos date from late 1800's & early 20th century. Pictures of downtown Alamosa in 1919 to Old La Veta Pass are now available on Flickr. This is a culturally significant project that gives the community of the San Luis Valley an opportunity to view, comment, and tag photos that might not otherwise be seen. Photos can be seen at Nielsen Library's photostream.

Paul

Summer reading...Summer romance

2009-06-10T10:34:00.000-07:00

Although the weather does not indicate that summer is near, we can take comfort in curling up with a good book. The problem is deciding on what to read. Should you visit your library and peruse the shelves, read book reviews, ask your co-worker what she/he is reading, Oprah?

Allow me to toss my two cents into this reading conundrum. Recently NPR aired a story about the publishing industry, more specifically: Romance Novels. You may be chuckling to yourself or you may be tempted to add a steamy novel to your summer reading list. The report was specific to author Elsie Washington, under the pen name Rosalind Welles, who is touted as the first African-American romance novelist. If you have noticed the book covers up to this point have been filled with bare chested men and enraptured women, "Lots of passion, zilch diversity." This would be Washington's only romance novel but it set the tone for aspiring "ethnic novelists" and readers. Her novel is entitled Entwined Destinies.

Another article on CNN discusses the impact romance novels has on the publishing industry. After many successful years of hard bodies and plot lines that may even make me blush, romance novels are responsible for $1.375 billion dollars in book sales each year.

Paul

Continued Support for Libraries

2009-05-08T08:05:00.000-07:00

"If the government can bail out the banks that are so deeply implicated in our current troubles-and is about to give them another huge helping of cash...why can't it support libraries and schools and publishing by stocking the public bookshelves with inviting new books and hiring staff to keep the doors open?" This quote from columnist Katha Pollitt referring to stimulus funding in the January 22, 2009 copy of The Nation.

With all of this money going to rebuild our infrastructure, shouldn't our institutions of education benefit? There is a bill currently in legislation that has yet to receive the support of our senators. If you could take 10 minutes out of your day and call them to sign the "Dear Colleagues" letter being ciruclated by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) in support of funding for Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program.

Both of our senators are new this year and may have yet to hear how important it is to support our libraries and schools through continued LSTA funding. ASC Nielsen Library has received two LSTA grants in order to purchase 20 laptops for our students, staff, and faculty to check out as well as take them into our community and teach basic computer classes. We know first hand how beneficial this legislation is to both our campus community and neighboring communities.

Please contact our senators and ask them to sign the Reed/Snowe "Dear Colleagues" letter for libraries.

Mark Udall: 202-224-5941 || Michael Bennett: 202-244-5852

For more information about the letter, and for an e-mail option to voice your , please visit:


http://capwiz.com/ala/issues/alert/?alertid=13189976&PROCESS=Take+Action

What do boxing cats, Google, & Library of Congress have in common?

2009-05-04T11:53:00.000-07:00

They can all be found on NPR's new blog. Learn about Google and how they scan millions of library books. Find out how the online photo sharing service Flickr has now influenced YouTube to partner with the Library of Congress to post not only rare photos, but now videos. Yes, you guess it...of cats boxing.

Take a look at the wealth of information available on National Public Radio's Library blog. It can be accessed at www.npr.org/blogs/library

Blog entitled "...as a matter of fact" reports on topics ranging from Google's book scanning patent to recent news about the Swine Flu or what is now being referred to as H1N1 virus.

Enjoy

Mobile Lab presented at LOEX in Albuquerque

2009-05-01T15:20:00.000-07:00

Librarians Nancy Trimm and Paul Mascarenas recently presented a poster session at LOEX Conference, Blazing Trails: On the Path to Information Literacy in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The session, Librarians Without Borders: Techie Spaces, highlights programs developed by Public Services-Instruction Librarian Brooke Andrade; Public Services-Reference Librarian Paul Mascarenas & Reference & Instruction Librarian from Mesa County Public Library Nancy Trimm.

In the session, librarians Trimm & Mascarenas discussed their respective community outreach programs wherein they take laptops to neighboring communities and teach basic computer classes. The response was overwhelmingly positive from local librarians hosting classes in their communities. The response from today's LOEX poster session was well received. Trimm & Mascarenas were able to share this unique project with librarians from across the states. Former Nielsen Library Reference Librarian Phil Jones stopped by to say 'Hi' and learn about Mobile Laptops. Also stopped by for a visit was Fort Lewis College Reed Library Director Ben Wakashige.

For more information about this project visit www.techtraining.weebly.com

What is President Obama Reading?

2009-04-30T08:26:00.000-07:00

According to a report in The New Yorker, the President is reading a novel to take his mind off of all that executive branch business. Netherland, a 2008 novel by Joseph O'Neill, is about a Dutch man in New York City after September 11. The book was a bestseller in the United States and won the 2009 Pen/Faulkner Award for Fiction.

Are you interested in checking out the novel that the most powerful man in the world is reading? Although Nielsen Library does not own a copy (yet!), it can be borrowed in Marmot via a patron placed hold. Come to the 2nd floor reference desk or call 719-587-7879 for more information.

Introducing the Nielsen Library Information Commons

2009-04-13T09:24:00.000-07:00

Malenfant (2006) states that "the best way to keep the Library a vital and effective resource for students..." is the "transformation of the Library into an Information Commons." Nielsen Library at Adams State College has been working on the second floor Information Commons for over a year. The process began last year with a complete overhaul of the second floor. The great staff of ASC students and librarians worked tirelessly to weed the government document collection, paint, and move shelving and furniture, completely transforming the second floor.

The plan is to meet the challenges of the 21st century student. Not only that, but to provide a space for students to study, collaborate, and work on projects in a comfortable environment.

The IC at Nielsen Library has added 14 tables with electrical capacity built in the table. Also added to the second floor are cozy, plush arm chairs and a bar installed on the north wall overlooking the ASC football field and a stunning view of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. The periodical area also has comfortable sling chair seating with access to the technology friendly tables. Wireless is available throughout the building so you can bring your own laptop or check out one of ours.

Also coming to the library is coffee! That Coffee Guy will be providing ASC students, staff, and faculty with cups of fresh brewed coffee, lattes, and mochas! This service will be officially open August 17 but plans are in motion to open the cart for the week of finals starting May 4-7, 5pm-8pm.

Reference desk hours are still from 9am-9pm Monday-Thursday; Friday 9am-5pm; Saturday 1pm-6pm; Sunday 1pm-9pm.

So come pay a visit to your Information Commons on the second floor of Nielsen Library.

~Paul

Ode to National Poetry Month

2009-04-02T15:30:00.000-07:00

The first of April ushers in the hope of warmer weather, spring flowers, blades of green grass thrusting out of the dry brown earth and National Poetry Month. First started in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, National Poetry Month celebrates poetry by raising awareness about the unique place poetry has in our culture, society, and history.

Interested in finding more information about NPM? Look at Poets.org.

Whatever your reason for celebrating the month of April, involve poetry. Whether you are reading it, writing it, or living it...

Here is an interesting take on one such form of poetry-Haiku by Jack Kerouac

-The "Haiku" was invented and developed over hundreds of years in Japan to be a complete poem in seventeen syllables and to pack in a whole vision of life in three short lines. A "Western Haiku" need not concern itself with the seventeen syllables since Western languages cannot adapt themselves to the fluid syllabic Japanese. I propose that the "Western Haiku" simply say a lot in three short lines in any Western language.
-Above all a Haiku must be very simple and free of all poetic trickery and make a little picture and yet be as airy and graceful as a Vivaldi Pastorella.

Kerouac from Book of Haikus: "Some Western Haikus"

He goes on to quote Basho (1644-1694)

A day of quiet gladness
Mount Fuji is veiled
In misty rain

~paul

ACRL Announces Top 10 Assumptions

2009-03-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from Seattle, WA where I attended The Association of College Research Libraries conference. Keynote speakers Rushworth Kidder discussed ethical elements in every day life; author Sherman Alexie had a packed auditorium of librarians laughing and listening intently to his experience as a Native American growing up on a reservation, going to college, and just how important librarians are today. This timely talk resonated with me. I will finish my masters degree in library science this spring. Alexie pointed out that as a librarian, on top of helping students with research, we help people find their stories.
I also recorded Mr. Alexie as he read a poem titled, "My Sharona."

The convention continued with exhibits, poster sessions, workshops and wound down Sunday morning with Ira Glass, Host & Executive Producer of This American Life.

In 2007, ACRL Research Committee posted the top 10 assumptions for the future of academic libraries "after surveying member leaders and conducting literature review."

There will be an increased emphasis on digitizing collections, preserving digital archives, and improving methods of data storage and retrieval
The skill set for librarians will continue to evolve in response to the needs and expectations of the changing populations (student and faculty) that they serve
Students and faculty will increasingly demand faster and greater access to services
Debates about intellectual property will become increasingly common in higher education
The demand for technology related services will grow and require additional funding
Higher education will increasingly view the institution as a business
Students will increasingly view themselves as customers and consumers, expecting high quality facilities and services
Distance learning will be an increasingly common option in higher education and will co-exist but not threaten the traditional brick-and-mortar model
Free, public access to information stemming from publicly funded research will continue to grow
Privacy will continue to be an important issue in librarianship

Are there any other items that you would add to this list?

More information about this list can be found at ALA/ACRL

~Paul

The best of 2008

2009-03-10T08:07:00.001-07:00

Okay, so it is already March of 2009 but it is not too late to add these titles to your reading list. Touted as the best of 2008, Booklist Online has suggested a wealth of great reading materials. Titles include stories about living in a Virginia coal-mining camp in 1948 in Little Audrey. If you still are interested in history, this narrative entitled We Are the Ship: The Story of the Negro League Baseball tells the the story breaking the race barrier in the time of segregation. This book offers the reader a scope into the lives and times of these young men who triumphantly played the game of baseball for the love of the sport while highlighting such characters as Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson.

Other titles include: Pictures at a Revolution: Five Movies and the Birth of the New Hollywood or or if you are interested in gumshoe crime novels try Lush Life by Richard Price, a crime fiction novel that takes place in New York's Lower East Side. Or for you studious types, there is the reference collection African American National Biography. This treasure trove contains records about the contributions and achievements of more than "4,000 African Americans—slaves, architects, entertainers, dentists, political leaders, artists, poets, and activists."

What better way to celebrate Spring Break?

Women's History Month

2009-03-02T08:57:00.000-08:00

What began as week long recognition in the late 1970's highlighting the contributions of women "to our society and nation" has now flourished into a month long homage. Women's History Month honors the stories, trials, and lives of women that until recently has been over looked and under represented.

National Women's History Project offers resources and information about programs across the nation designed to honor women and their role in the advancement of education, science, government, and this years theme, "Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet." The website also contains press kit, tools, and resources to host similar celebrations in your community, schools, and organizations.

This year honors women taking steps to improve conditions on our planet. NWHP recognizes Rachel Carson as the founder of "the contemporary environmental movement." Honorees this year come from a diverse range of disciplines from scientists, engineers, business leaders to writers, filmmakers, conservationists, teachers, and community organizers. Each story unique and each one making a huge contribution to the advancement of women.

As the website declares, "If we don’t promote women’s history, who will?" Yes, March is declared Women's History Month, just as February is declared African-American History Month. It is essential that we honor and recognize the multi-cultural diverse community that we we all belong to and we don't have to let it stop at the end of February or March.

~paul

Copyright and Happy Birthday!

2009-02-04T07:36:00.001-08:00

Copyright, Public Domain, Fair Use, and Creative Commons are terms that inter-relate.

The song that we all know and sing "Happy Birthday to You" is copyright protected. It has been around since 1893 and was to be released into public domain in 1991 until an extension act propelled the song to remain copyrighted until 2030. That song collects approximately $2 million dollars a year in royalties. Big blockbuster movies are liable if they use that song without permission; short independent films are just as susceptible. Singing "Happy Birthday" to grandma, you are probably safe. Unless of course there is a cover charge to get into G-ma's birthday party.

According to Section 102 of the 1976 copyright law, these items can be protected:

literary works;
musical works, including any accompanying words;
dramatic works, including any accompanying music;
pantomimes and choreography;
pictorial, graphic and sculptural works;
motion pictures and other audiovisual works;
sound recordings; and
architectural works.

What about public domain? "Public domain is information, knowledge, discoveries, and artistic creation never or no longer protected by copyright (Russell, 2004). Which means anyone can use the material. Here is a list of public domain websites:

Fair Use allows copyrighted works to be used to promote social good. In other words, there is liberty to use works under copyright for educators and research. "Without fair use, those beneficial uses-quoting from copyrighted works, providing multiple copies to students in class, creating new knowledge based on previously published knowledge-would be infringements" (Russell, 2004). A quick checklist to determine whether the use of material is fair use:

Purpose i.e., teaching, research, scholarship, parody, nonprofit educational institution
Nature i.e., published work, factual or nonfiction based
Amount i.e., small quantity, portion used is not central of significant to entire work
Effect i.e., one or few copies made, no significant effect on market

Fair use has recently made the headlines concerning the iconic image of President Obama.

Creative Commons allows creators of music, literature, etc. to instill their own copyright law to their works, since copyright is automatic. Creative commons allows the creator to "get their work out there" (Russell, 2004). Creators may retain copyright but allow for its use in the public domain without the fear of repercussion to the user. ccMixter allows users to download original works of music, manipulate, and use without any monetary compensation. Many times the artist only asks for attribution.

Copyright is extensive and complicated. This is just a brief introduction into copyright. For further information about copyright you can visit the United States Copyright Office website.

Russell, C. (2004). Complete copyright: An everyday guide for librarians. Chicago: American Library Association.

~Paul

Information Commons is coming ...

2009-01-13T15:30:00.000-08:00

The last class of the day is complete. You have your assignments; you know what you need to do. Now, you wonder where to go next. Should you go to the Student Union Building? Or maybe take a chance and try to find a seat in the School of Business computer lab.

Eureka!!

You look across the frozen campus and see the library. You think to yourself, why not? They have quiet study rooms, two computer labs, laptops to checkout, wireless, and of course friendly knowledgeable librarians.

But wait, that's not all. Nielsen Library is in the process of building an Information Commons!!!

"What is an Information Commons?" you ask. Imagine sitting in a cozy, comfortable chair, working on a laptop, while the aroma of coffee being brewed fills your olfactory system.

In short, it is a innovative educational environment that allows students to work in private or collaboratively. This redesign offers students the most up-to-date technology, flexible work spaces, and yes...coffee! Along with coffee, the Nielsen Library Information Commons will offer laptops for checkout and other technology.

Ultimately, the hope is to attract students to the library. The goal is to create a seamless learning environment that allows students access to information resources and the tools for success. The information commons or learning commons concept has been implemented on college and university campuses across the map for many years.

Nielsen Library is in the beginning stages of constructing the Information Commons on the 2nd Floor. Soon, students, faculty, and community will enjoy researching, reading, visiting, and hanging out while sipping a mocha, latte, or even tea. The saying goes, "Anything worthwhile, is worth waiting for," and we appreciate your patience as the project proceeds.

The Way of the Word

2008-12-01T09:25:00.000-08:00

The printed word as we know is dead! Try telling that to Jorge Luis Borges who himself was the director of the National Library in Buenos Aires. "...I suspect that the human species-the only species--teeters at the verge of extinction, yet that the Library-enlightened, solitary, infinite, perfectly unmoving, armed with precious volumes, pointless, incorruptible, and secret-will endure." That is taken from a slim volume entitled The Library of Babel.

Much is being written about libraries and the volumes contained inside; they are becoming obsolete, on their way out. The Googlization of the printed word is causing today's reader to opt for an electronic hand-held device rather than a traditional volume with a dust jacket and pages to turn. According to William Skidelskey in the New Statesman, such hand held devices (Kindle), are slowly replacing how people get their information. I agree that there are numerous formats in which a variety of persons prefer to receive news and entertainment.

I myself love to read daily news online, blogs, and how I receive probably 60 percent of my information on a daily basis. I also like reading print magazines and of course, books. The death of the printed word? Just recently published (in print) in American Libraries magazine, statistics for library cards issued are up 5 percent since 2006. In other words, 68 percent of Americans have a library card. 76 percent of Americans visited their local library in the last year. The popularity of libraries is indeed not dwindling. Salai Taylor, Lead Librarian at Southern Peaks Library in Alamosa says that an average daily gate count of patron visits is 250 in the winter and 300 in the summer.

Is it any wonder libraries are popular and seen by 92 percent of Americans as "an important education resource." Not only do libraries provide access to materials and resources, but they also have programs for every age. The Maricopa Community College in Phoenix, Arizona has a videogame night in the library. Other services provided by public, academic, and special libraries range from computer classes, story hour for children, puppet shows, ESL classes, bike checkout, book clubs, homework help, coffee bars, and of course books.

The printed word and libraries are evolving as are the tastes and preferences of the library user/book lover. There are those who enjoy sitting at a table in a library surrounded by volumes of dusty volumes and others that prefer the bustling coffee shop while surfing the Internet. So grab your laptop, pack that book and enjoy the world of information.
-Paul

Wi-Fi More Popular Than Beer?

2008-11-10T10:24:00.000-08:00

Well it is official, being without Wi-Fi is totally a pain. Recently, Reference & Instruction Librarian Brooke Andrade and myself attended the Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) conference in Denver.
The conference entitled Communities & Libraries was held at the Denver Tech Center Marriott. The conference was well attended and had informative workshops from librarians around the state. Not only did public librarians present on timely topics, but academic and special librarians as well.
Upon entering my room, a sign on the desk read "Wireless Internet Access- 9.95 a day." I have a hard time accepting anything but free Internet access. Don't most small local coffee shops have it? Nielsen Library has it. I could get free wireless in the lobby of the Marriott. Isn't that convenient? Traipsing downstairs in my Batman pj's to post my assignment for school, check email, weather conditions...
This inconvenience reminded me of a recently read article about the significance of connectivity, more specifically, connectivity on college campuses. In the article, "nine out of 10 college students in the United States say Wi-Fi access is as essential to education as classrooms and computers, and nearly three in five say they wouldn't go to a college that doesn't have free Wi-Fi." Interesting.
The article continues giving this startling statistic, "If forced to choose, nearly half of respondents (48 percent) would give up beer before giving up Wi-Fi.?
Wow, beer before Wi-Fi? That is amazing. Can you hear it now, 'give me Wi-Fi or give me death.' Anyway, come on over to the library where you don't have to make these difficult choices. Although you can't drink beer in the library, you can bring your latte. Enjoy.
Paul

Web 2.0

2008-10-27T12:19:00.000-07:00

Web 2.0 has been defined as an interactive online medium where collaboration and innovation meet to build a network of professional and recreational communities. In other words you can create, edit, and publish material in an online format that is ubiquitious, malleable, and is rather easy to do. Examples of social software applications or Web 2.0 are Blogger, MySpace, Facebook and the recently written about Ask Colorado; all of them harness this unique technique.

Since its inception, there have been a good number of us that feel like Ansgar in this video, without the hairdo of course. Terms like "digital native" or the "net generation" is more common in research about today's student in higher education and how to engage with this diverse student population. Students are comfortable with this medium.

Teaching in an online environment is prevalent on campus as well as off. Asynchronous learning or distance education is now an avenue in which college campuses teach around the world. The world of multimedia learning helps educators adopt new means of communication and to push content to users.

So why would a library be so inclined to use a Wiki as an intranet or a means of communication? Or use an online chat service like Meebo as a reference desk? Why would the discipline of nursing education want to use something as entertaining as video sharing website YouTube to push content to its users? (Skiba, 2007) The answer is simple. It is everywhere and a good number of people are using it. These Web 2.0 tools are being used to transform not only the entertainment industry but how we get our information, how we educate our students (Teacher Tube), how we exchange ideas, and in the words of Thomas Friedman, make the world flat.

The idea behind Web 2.0 is community and collaboration. The Internet is filled with user generated content. It is the user that is making videos, writing blogs, constructing websites and sometimes reporting on news that mainstream media misses. Anyway you look at it, the users are in control of what they want to see, hear, read, watch, and contribute. Taken from the Pew Internet/American Life Project (2007) statistics show that 64% of online teens use social networking sites. Whether the purpose behind these statistics is recreational use or educational, the student uses this technology almost exclusively and daily.
-Paul

Skiba, D. (2007). Nursing education 2.0: You Tube. Nursing Education Perspectives, 28(2), 100-102.

“Can u help me pls?!” Using AskColorado Chat Reference Service

2008-10-22T12:35:00.000-07:00

It’s 2AM and your research paper on the brain physiology of serial killers is due in six hours. You realize that you are lacking the two peer reviewed journal sources that your professor demands. Hastily, you stuff all of your articles, books, and laptop into your bag and get ready to head out of the comfort of your dorm room and go to the library. But then you realize that the library is closed. Very closed – it has been for three hours! Desperately, you look to your virtual savior – Google – and try to find some sources. No luck. All of the articles you find in Google want you to pay, and you’re a college student, so that’s not an option. Now you feel doomed to failure, all because nobody was there for you during your middle of the night academic crisis.

Have you ever found yourself in this situation? Have you ever desperately needed the help of a research specialist only to discover that your library is closed? Or, have you ever wanted to ask a question that is too personal or embarrassing to discuss at the reference desk?

Fortunately for you, there is a service out there that can help you with your research needs twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. AskColorado is a virtual reference program funded and staffed by the State Library of Colorado and college, public, and school libraries around the state. You can ask any research question, academic or personal, at any time of the day and you will receive help from an actual librarian.

Let’s say that you, as an Adams State College student, need help finding sources for a paper. The AskColorado librarians will use the Adams State College resources, such as Marmot Catalog and the article databases, and guide you through the process of finding relevant research. If you have a more personal question, the AskColorado staff will allow you to remain anonymous while they find reliable websites and articles to answer you.

Another great aspect of AskColorado is that it is a chat format. Many students today spend a great deal of time texting and feel comfortable communicating in that style. Chatting with a librarian on AskColorado is very similar to texting. In fact, the AskColorado staff members make a point of keeping up with the texting abbreviations and lingo!

Two Adams State College librarians, Brooke Andrade and Paul Mascareñas, answer reference questions on AskColorado; Paul works from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Mondays and Brooke has the 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM shift on Thursdays. You can access AskColorado two different ways. From the Nielsen Library website, go to the Reference Services link and choose AskColorado. You can also go to the service directly at http://www.askcolorado.org.

Overdrive audio

2008-10-17T15:08:00.000-07:00

Download Books & Music - highlighting a cool resource

By using the Nielsen Library Marmot Catalog, you can download books, music and video. Once downloaded onto your computer, you can listen to it on your computer or transfer it to your MP3 player (iPods should work). Some files may be burned to a CD, some may only be used on your computer or you player. If you don't own an MP3 player, the library has three players available for checkout to ASC faculty, staff, and students.

In order to use this free service, you’ll need a current library checkout account. You’ll also need to download two free applications: Windows Media Player and the Overdrive software. Links to both of these are available at the website linked below.

To explore this resource, you could start by visiting the front page of the Marmot Catalog and click on “Download Books & Music”. Or, go to directly to http://marmot.lib.overdrive.com/

Of course, if you search the Marmot Catalog you can search for Overdrive materials by limiting your search to Audio Book or Audio Music. Materials in this collection have a location defined as "Marmot Digital Library". If you'd like more information, contact Glenda at gmgeu@adams.edu or 587-7581. Enjoy!

Digitization-Brought to you by Google

2008-10-09T12:31:00.000-07:00

Mega search engine Google is attempting to digitize the entire world of print in order to make books accessible to you, to me, to anyone with an Internet connection. Libraries that have already signed on include Stanford, Oxford, and New York Public Library (list not inclusive). This is quite a feat logistically not to mention expensive. Google Books has already scanned millions of titles that are available through their beta site. Google argues that this is an opportunity for authors and publishers to advertise their products through Google Books. They say more people will want to buy the book after reading a preview. There is the issue of copyright law. Already the American Association of Publishers and The Author's Guild have sued, claiming copyright infringement. Google argues that by offering "snippets" of the book, they are by no means infringing on the copyrighted works.
So what does this mean for the publishing industry? How does this affect libraries? Does Google have the right, without permission from author of publisher, to scan and post said works online? Does this cause us to re-evaluate copyright law? What about "orphan works?" Orphan works is when a book has not the author or publisher to ask permission for use of this work.
In a recent Salon.com article, "Throwing Google at the Book," author Farhad Manjoo comments that Google's undertaking "is poised to create a tool that could truly change the way we understand, and learn about, the world around us." He also asks a provocotive question, "Can we really afford to let content owners stand in the way of Google's revolutionary idea?"
The books scanned and available in full text on Google Books website are published before 1923 and no longer protected by copyright law. This means they can be scanned and made available online with fear of litigation from the author or publishing house. Other full view books include works published after 1923 that received author or publisher permission. Although, the books are not available full-text, it can be searched using keyword terms.
So the question is whether Google Books hurts the printing industry by digitizing books from libraries all over the world or can this only increase the sales and make information that might not otherwise be found available.

Banned Books Week

2008-10-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

Listening to NPR this morning inspired me to start a project that has been a long time waiting-a Blog for the library. This is the first installation.

On Morning Edition, they talked about Banned Books Week (September 27-October 4) and how John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath was banned soon after its publication in 1939. In the piece, Librarian Gretchen Knief said, "It such a vicious and dangerous thing to begin...Besides banning books is so utterly hopeless and futile. Ideas don't die because a book is forbidden reading."

Nielsen Library's Instruction Librarian Brooke Andrade participated on a panel this past weekend on KRZA to discuss Banned Books Week. Brooke discussed the children's book And Tango Makes Three, which topped the Banned Book list in 2007. The book caused a huge controversy spawning an outcry for the book to be pulled from library shelves. The book is about two male penguins who hatch a penguin egg and raise the chick together. Brooke talked about the importance of intellectual freedom. She said that people may be offended by the content of some books but they are important for a library collection in that these largely unheard voices and points of view be made available for all patrons. "Politics, religion, sex, witchcraft" are just some of the reasons a book may be challenged or banned according to Judith King of the American Library Association.

Another 1st Amendment issue concerning libraries is Internet access. A recent article written for the HeraldNet discusses open access to the Internet in public libraries despite complaints from patrons that pornography is being viewed on library terminals. The debate hinges on whether a filtering system is censorship or if it is a librarian's responsibility to control what patrons view. All of this stems from a larger debate that public libraries face. Through the Child Internet Protection Act or CIPA, public libraries receive funds which is contingent upon the installation of a software that filters websites allowing only those that may not have questionable material. Now, no software is perfect and if someone is looking for information about breast cancer or a sexually transmitted disease, will the software deny a patron access? These are some of the problems with filtering software and these are some of the issues when talking about intellectual freedom, censorship, and the right to read.

So celebrate your freedom to read, to express, exchange ideas. This is your book, this is your library, these are your ideas.
Paul