Another class that circled around the issue of copyright and what libraries have the right to offer their patrons. We discussed things such as; Freegal Music: The New Music Library, which allows library members to download a certain number of tracks for free while the library pays a premium for the music. Is this a good idea? Is it a better use of the library's budget to buy music which their members can keep as opposed to a library book or cd which they have to return, but which multiple members can enjoy? I don't know. This is a tough question, especially when so many people still manage to download their music for free. Is it worth it then for the library to invest in Freegal, instead of say, buying say more e-books? This is just another question that will have to be answered as more information is accumulated about the utilization of such things as Freegal in libraries that choose to offer it.
We also discussed the correlation of the problems the music industry faced when music went digital, and the problems facing the publishing industry now that the popularity of things such as e-books is on the rise. How does each industry remain profitable when their products become so cheap to mass produce and distribute? This is where we delved into the idea of artificial scarcity- where industries seek to control the market by restricting access to their goods even though they are plentiful. We also discussed things such as ads being a possible way to gain revenue, and the use of ads by such free companies as Pandora Radio.
This led to an in depth discussion around the question of whether libraries should become a buying agent for members of their community (through such things as Freegal), or whether they should be a means for the community to pool their resources and offer things that multiple customers can enjoy (such as books, cds, dvds, ect...) There is definitely going to be over lap between the two in years to come. All public libraries are not going to stop buying books all of the sudden all, however, as can be seen in recent years due to budget restrictions and the changes in society they will severely have to change how they will be spending their budgets.
On another note, just noticed that today is Google's thirteenth birthday which made me feel extremely old as I was remembering a time when there was no such thing as Google, which would seem impossible to all of my younger family members. How did we used find all the trivial information we deem so vital nowadays? Did we just ignore those little questions like what is the name of the song that I have been singing off and on for five hours?, or did we actually phone a friend (using whatever landlines were available of course- maybe even (gasp) a payphone), or did we look it up in a book? Hmmmm good question.
In addition, am taking an Indexing course this semester and was learning about cross-referencing (see's and see also's) and the only thing I could think of was a line from Blazing Saddles. Overall it has very little to do with cross-referencing yet it was the first thing that popped into my mind...
Hedley Lamarr: Wait a minute... there might be legal precedent. Of course! Land-snatching!
[grabs a law book] Hedley Lamarr: Land, land... "Land: see Snatch."
[flips back several pages] Hedley Lamarr: Ah, Haley vs. United States. Haley: 7, United States: nothing. You see, it can be done! (IMBD.com- Blazing Saddles (1974)
Furthermore, in the September 27th class Dr. Lankes mentioned the show Warehouse 13, which is one of my all time favorite shows, in reference to the fact that one of the ways that the show makes money is by blatantly advertising Twizzlers (and I mean blatantly), and I couldn't help but think of the awesome reference that was made in one of the latest episodes where Beatrix Potter's original drafts of Peter Rabbit are being overlooked and are actually quite dark and Pete makes the reference that "he doesn't remember that being on Reading Rainbow" I have never heard anything on TV reference Reading Rainbow before and it just made me fall in love with the show just a little bit more.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Reflections on Class (September 20)
Class began with an interesting discussion on e-books and how many times libraries should be allowed to offer a particular copy. It was mentioned that twenty-six might be a good number because librarians would have to replace a hard copy after that many check-outs anyway. Is this true? Does it depend on the library? The type of book hardcover, soft cover?
In addition, it was also brought up whether or not the price of e-books is fair. I have wondered this myself. Mostly because I by most of my books from half price bookstores, or on Amazon so to pay anything near full price is almost against my religion.
Someone brought up the fact that the cost to distribute and produce the e-books is much less than what it takes to distribute and produce physical copies. So why then are the copies of the e-books so close to the prices of the physical copies? I know the publisher and author want to make just as much money, but is the e-book worth the same price as a real book. You will never be able to resell it because you are just leasing it not buying it, you're not supposed to really give it away, and lending it out can be a problem as well. If I lend out my kindle I can't have access to the rest of my books on it while it is gone.
While I do really appreciate the advantages of my kindle such as not having to lug an entire suitcase of books on vacation and carrying around a bookstore in my purse, there are still the advantages of the physical copies such as if one of my physical copies is submersed in water, stolen, or lost than I don't lose my entire collection of books. In addition, while kindle batteries can run low I don't have to plug in my physical book. Thus, the pros and cons, at this point I don't feel like I could live without either physical books or my kindle. Especially because Borders has gone out of business and now it is much harder to find easy access to book stores.
The talk of e-books then led to an in depth discussion of contractual law, and the three different types Public Law, Regulation, and Common Law (or law produced by judicial law (interpretation of law). We then discussed the difference between copyright, patent, and trademark. One of the more interesting things we talked about was the idea of First Sale Doctrine, which is when something moves over from being intellectual property to just property. This doesn't exist in copy law, but has never the less started being enforced by our courts. For example, this deals with the fact that once somebody buys a book they are allowed to resell it at any price they ask without problem.
This class was very much an experience Dr. Lankes at one point became very impassioned on the topic of Librarians being the conduit for change. The library profession cannot remain static and impartial, we cannot just be venues (this was very adamantly stated by Dr. Lankes) instead we have to promote and instigate change and the "creation of knowledge" in our respective communities.
In addition, it was also brought up whether or not the price of e-books is fair. I have wondered this myself. Mostly because I by most of my books from half price bookstores, or on Amazon so to pay anything near full price is almost against my religion.
Someone brought up the fact that the cost to distribute and produce the e-books is much less than what it takes to distribute and produce physical copies. So why then are the copies of the e-books so close to the prices of the physical copies? I know the publisher and author want to make just as much money, but is the e-book worth the same price as a real book. You will never be able to resell it because you are just leasing it not buying it, you're not supposed to really give it away, and lending it out can be a problem as well. If I lend out my kindle I can't have access to the rest of my books on it while it is gone.
While I do really appreciate the advantages of my kindle such as not having to lug an entire suitcase of books on vacation and carrying around a bookstore in my purse, there are still the advantages of the physical copies such as if one of my physical copies is submersed in water, stolen, or lost than I don't lose my entire collection of books. In addition, while kindle batteries can run low I don't have to plug in my physical book. Thus, the pros and cons, at this point I don't feel like I could live without either physical books or my kindle. Especially because Borders has gone out of business and now it is much harder to find easy access to book stores.
The talk of e-books then led to an in depth discussion of contractual law, and the three different types Public Law, Regulation, and Common Law (or law produced by judicial law (interpretation of law). We then discussed the difference between copyright, patent, and trademark. One of the more interesting things we talked about was the idea of First Sale Doctrine, which is when something moves over from being intellectual property to just property. This doesn't exist in copy law, but has never the less started being enforced by our courts. For example, this deals with the fact that once somebody buys a book they are allowed to resell it at any price they ask without problem.
This class was very much an experience Dr. Lankes at one point became very impassioned on the topic of Librarians being the conduit for change. The library profession cannot remain static and impartial, we cannot just be venues (this was very adamantly stated by Dr. Lankes) instead we have to promote and instigate change and the "creation of knowledge" in our respective communities.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Reflections on Class (September 13)
Once again discussed the future of librarianship and the idea that people should not focus on the question of are libraries are needed anymore?, but rather should focus instead on how libraries can change to meet the evolving needs of the community.
Very interested in learning that at one point around the middle of the 19th century people considered doctors unnecessary, and that at the time the library profession actually commanded more respect than the medical profession. Surprised to learn that illiteracy was common among doctors of the time as well. However, due to certain occurences and innovations in medicine, such as the advent of germ theory, the medical profession changed dramatically. The profession was redefined and restructured in order to meet the changing needs of society. However, it took time, hard work, and a progressive mindset to "radically" change the future of medicine.
I want to keep this in mind while studying to become a librarian. The library world is going through immense change during this time, and those wanting to get into the profession need to constantly look towards the future and pinpoint and predict the changing needs of users in the community.
The rest of class centered around the different types of Libraries including: Public Libraries, Academic Libraries, School Libraries, and Special Libraries, their purpose and the issues concerned with each. Funding seems to be a concern with all of the different types of the libraries. However, funding is a concern across most disciplines these days. so its a question of making those funds count, as well as molding each individual library into an indispensable institution for each individual community.
Also the class discussed the importance of databases to libraries in this day and age, and the cost for libraries to use the best database sites. Was interested to learn of the legal case against, I think it was Georgia State, and the issue of their publicly displaying certain journal articles that they received from databases. This is definitely an interesting case. I feel like the library pays for those databases so they should be able to make as many copies as they want of those articles, however, the public display of those articles on a website may be crossing the line. It is an interesting case for those who are support the idea of open and free information.
When the class was discussing school librarians it made me think of the issues that my school librarian faced. I'm originally from a very small town (graduated with a class of thirty-six), and we had one librarian for grades K-12. I think there was also one library aide to help out, but that was the extent of any help. The library itself was, and remains a very small space with an extremely small collection. Now what interests me is not the amount of people that my librarian had to serve, but the diversity of the group. How she met the needs of all of her "members"from the kindergarteners first learning how to read, to the high schoolers learning how to research, to the teachers looking to create interesting projects and lesson plans for there kids. Looking back I really admire my librarian and the job she did. She wasn't perfect but what teacher is? She also had to contend with constantly changing technology ,which is everyone's cross to bear, but which seems extremely central to the job of a librarian. My school's librarian always had to be on the forefront of any new technology field that our school invested in. She also had to stay informed about new methods of research ect... I remember when my school didn't have a computer lab and just a couple of computers and then all of the sudden there were computers in every classroom and a whole new room where students could go to do research and write papers. Remembering this just reminds me of all the reasons that school librarians are necessary in today's learning institutions. They are the ones that usually teach students how to research and refine their technology skills. They teach kids where to find reliable data and definitely "facilitate knowledge in their communities." Their mission is the same as always, the methods have just changed. Instead of books, the focus is now on internet resources.
Also I was interested in the discussion we had on book banning and how it's not as much of an issue as libraries haven't banned books in about fifty years. But I think the issue is still relevant as its important to remember that such things did occur and were problems. Sometimes we have to look to the past to learn, and just to remember how far we've come and how people can make a difference.
Very interested in learning that at one point around the middle of the 19th century people considered doctors unnecessary, and that at the time the library profession actually commanded more respect than the medical profession. Surprised to learn that illiteracy was common among doctors of the time as well. However, due to certain occurences and innovations in medicine, such as the advent of germ theory, the medical profession changed dramatically. The profession was redefined and restructured in order to meet the changing needs of society. However, it took time, hard work, and a progressive mindset to "radically" change the future of medicine.
I want to keep this in mind while studying to become a librarian. The library world is going through immense change during this time, and those wanting to get into the profession need to constantly look towards the future and pinpoint and predict the changing needs of users in the community.
The rest of class centered around the different types of Libraries including: Public Libraries, Academic Libraries, School Libraries, and Special Libraries, their purpose and the issues concerned with each. Funding seems to be a concern with all of the different types of the libraries. However, funding is a concern across most disciplines these days. so its a question of making those funds count, as well as molding each individual library into an indispensable institution for each individual community.
Also the class discussed the importance of databases to libraries in this day and age, and the cost for libraries to use the best database sites. Was interested to learn of the legal case against, I think it was Georgia State, and the issue of their publicly displaying certain journal articles that they received from databases. This is definitely an interesting case. I feel like the library pays for those databases so they should be able to make as many copies as they want of those articles, however, the public display of those articles on a website may be crossing the line. It is an interesting case for those who are support the idea of open and free information.
When the class was discussing school librarians it made me think of the issues that my school librarian faced. I'm originally from a very small town (graduated with a class of thirty-six), and we had one librarian for grades K-12. I think there was also one library aide to help out, but that was the extent of any help. The library itself was, and remains a very small space with an extremely small collection. Now what interests me is not the amount of people that my librarian had to serve, but the diversity of the group. How she met the needs of all of her "members"from the kindergarteners first learning how to read, to the high schoolers learning how to research, to the teachers looking to create interesting projects and lesson plans for there kids. Looking back I really admire my librarian and the job she did. She wasn't perfect but what teacher is? She also had to contend with constantly changing technology ,which is everyone's cross to bear, but which seems extremely central to the job of a librarian. My school's librarian always had to be on the forefront of any new technology field that our school invested in. She also had to stay informed about new methods of research ect... I remember when my school didn't have a computer lab and just a couple of computers and then all of the sudden there were computers in every classroom and a whole new room where students could go to do research and write papers. Remembering this just reminds me of all the reasons that school librarians are necessary in today's learning institutions. They are the ones that usually teach students how to research and refine their technology skills. They teach kids where to find reliable data and definitely "facilitate knowledge in their communities." Their mission is the same as always, the methods have just changed. Instead of books, the focus is now on internet resources.
Also I was interested in the discussion we had on book banning and how it's not as much of an issue as libraries haven't banned books in about fifty years. But I think the issue is still relevant as its important to remember that such things did occur and were problems. Sometimes we have to look to the past to learn, and just to remember how far we've come and how people can make a difference.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Favorite Librarian Quote...
Just wanted to put this up here. This is my favorite quote that concerns librarianship, by one of my favorite authors Kurt Vonnegut;
"And on the subject of burning books: I want to congratulate librarians, not famous for their physical strength or their powerful political connections or their great wealth, who, all over this country, have staunchly resisted ant-democratic bullies who have tried to remove certain books from their shelves, and have refused to reveal to thought police the names of persons who have checked out those titles. So the America I loved still exists, if not in the White House or the Supreme Court or the Senate or the House of Representatives or the media. The America I love still exists at the front of our public libraries"- Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country
"And on the subject of burning books: I want to congratulate librarians, not famous for their physical strength or their powerful political connections or their great wealth, who, all over this country, have staunchly resisted ant-democratic bullies who have tried to remove certain books from their shelves, and have refused to reveal to thought police the names of persons who have checked out those titles. So the America I loved still exists, if not in the White House or the Supreme Court or the Senate or the House of Representatives or the media. The America I love still exists at the front of our public libraries"- Kurt Vonnegut, A Man Without a Country
Purpose of Blog: & Reflections on First Class (Sept 6)
Initially, this blog will act as a journal for all thoughts and opinions that I may have on the content of course 511: Introduction to the Library and Information Profession.
I am highly anticipating the fact that we are going to be discussing the evolution of librarianship in 511. Not only its past, but its present and future as well.
While I have given some thought to the history of libraries and the influence that librarians have had on society (For example, a librarian played an important role in the discovery of the Watergate scandal), I've never really examined how librarianship has had to evolve and shift to accommodate a society that is ever changing.
I'm looking forward during this course to examining librarians as innovators and catalysts for change. The Atlas of New Librarianship states, "As the web explodes, the world economy stumbles, the newspaper industry implodes, the media landscape fragments, and societies around the world face social unrest, librarians have not only an opportunity but an obligation to find their center and the means to continue a centuries long mission to use knowledge to better understand the past, make a better today, and invent an ideal future" (Lankes 2). Modern society is woefully unaware of the relevancy of today's libraries. For me the biggest hurdle for the modern library seems to be updating the public as to the library's relevancy. People have an antiquated view of what librarianship is, and they need to be educated. The question of today is not whether libraries can survive into the future, of course they can survive. The question should be how are today's libraries evolving to fit the needs of current society and is that evolution being adequately promoted and touted to the public.
I am highly anticipating the fact that we are going to be discussing the evolution of librarianship in 511. Not only its past, but its present and future as well.
While I have given some thought to the history of libraries and the influence that librarians have had on society (For example, a librarian played an important role in the discovery of the Watergate scandal), I've never really examined how librarianship has had to evolve and shift to accommodate a society that is ever changing.
I'm looking forward during this course to examining librarians as innovators and catalysts for change. The Atlas of New Librarianship states, "As the web explodes, the world economy stumbles, the newspaper industry implodes, the media landscape fragments, and societies around the world face social unrest, librarians have not only an opportunity but an obligation to find their center and the means to continue a centuries long mission to use knowledge to better understand the past, make a better today, and invent an ideal future" (Lankes 2). Modern society is woefully unaware of the relevancy of today's libraries. For me the biggest hurdle for the modern library seems to be updating the public as to the library's relevancy. People have an antiquated view of what librarianship is, and they need to be educated. The question of today is not whether libraries can survive into the future, of course they can survive. The question should be how are today's libraries evolving to fit the needs of current society and is that evolution being adequately promoted and touted to the public.
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