Home > News Archive > January 2005

January 31, 2005

Wonderful interview on NPR with author Jeanette Winter who wrote a children's book about a librarian who saved 70 percent of an Iraqi town's books during the U.S. invasion. The book is entitled: The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq.

source: ResourceShelf

Another study, this time from Florida, extolling the economic virtue of public libraries. Here are some of the findings:

• Overall, Florida's public libraries return $6.54 for every $1.00 invested from all sources.
• For every $6,448 spent on public libraries from public funding sources in Florida, one job is created.
• For every dollar of public support spent on public libraries in Florida, gross regional product increases by $9.08.
• For every dollar of public support spent on public libraries in Florida, income (wages) increases by $12.66.

source: APLA-listserv

Jessamyn reports that Michael McGrorty has started an Endangered Libraries list on his blog.

source: librarian.net

Great article from Michael Geist's Law Bytes column in the Toronto Star on how Canada is racing towards a DMCCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Canada Act).

While the potential for technological protection measure abuse may appear obvious, Canadian policy makers have actually been racing toward increasing the use and legal protections afforded to technological protection measures. Canadian Heritage has provided funding to technological protection measure initiatives to help facilitate their development, while parliamentarians, led by Canadian Heritage Minister Liza Frulla and Industry Minister David Emerson, have been jointly working on a copyright reform package that would reportedly grant technological protection measures additional legal protections.

source: Michael Geist Law blog

I don't feel comfortable with a picture of Bill Gates on a webpage promoting public libraries (no matter how much money he's donated), but take a look at Library Matters, an Illonois advocacy group that is selling wrist bands that are meant to support the cause of libraries, literacy, and life-long learning.

source: LisNews

January 30, 2005

The University of South Carolina School of Library and Information Science released a report entitled the "South Carolina Public Library Economic Impact Study". Part of the findings include a survey where 92% of respondents believe that the public library improves the quality of life. The part of the study that looked at direct economic impacts showed that for every $1 spent by state and local governments on South Carolina public libraries, the return on investment is $2.86.

source: Google News

January 26, 2005

The deadline for submissions to the Progressive Librarian Guild's Miriam Braverman Prize is February 15th. Papers are sought on any topic related to the social responsibilities of librarians, libraries, or librarianship. Entrants must be graduate students in Library/Information Science in the U.S. or Canada. The winning essay is published in Progressive Librarian and the winner receives a $300 stipend toward attending the 2005 ALA conference in Chicago.

source: Alison Lewis

From the website Eyes on the Screen (put together by DownHill Battle, a non-profit): "Eyes on the Prize is the most important documentary ever made about the Civil Rights Movement--but copyright restrictions have kept it from the public for the past 10 years. We can't let that continue. On February 8th help us bring this film back to a nationwide audience. Download the film today and organize a screening in your city or town" (or library!) Black History month is the perfect time to get this message out.

source: David

January 25, 2005

The British Columbia Library Association, probably Canada's most progressive library association, is holding its conference April 21-24. Here are some interesting presentations:

• Rip. Mix. Feed. Social Software for Librarians: Exploring social software and how they can help librarians (Apr. 21)
• Joel Bakan, keynote speaker: Bakan is the autor of The Corporation. He will speak about privatization, knowledge, and the role that libraries play in a highly corporate world. (Apr. 21)
• Libraries and Libel Lawsuits: In 2004, BC amended the Libel and Slander Act to create a legal immunity for libraries. This legislative change means that the public will continue to access controversial materials. (Apr. 22)
• Ain't on the G&M Bestseller List: Members of the BCLA Intellectual Freedom Committee will give an intro to the value of seeking materials from local, independent, and alternative sources. (Apr. 22)
• The USA Patriot Act and Personal Privacy: What is the impact on Canadian libraries? (see earlier story). (Apr. 22)
• Open Access to Scholarly Research: In 2004, the BCLA passed a resolution in support of Open Access. A panel of speakers will give an introduction on the topic and show OA initiatives in BC and Alberta (Apr. 23)

January 24, 2005

From a Council of Canadians page: "The Council of Canadians, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers and the Charter Committee on Poverty Issues have joined forces to challenge the validity of NAFTA investment rules. (...) NAFTA investment rules empower countless foreign investors to sue governments for taking actions that may be entirely warranted and in the public interest. The case should be heard on January 24 and 25, 2005, by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto."

This challenge is in response to the UPS v. Canada case. According to this page: "UPS argues that Canada Post has somehow taken advantage of its letter-mail monopoly to support its parcel and courier delivery services. But in an era when many Crown Corporations and public agencies deliver at least some services in competition with the private sector, that argument could apply to virtually all public sector services - from water supply to health care. If UPS wins, the result would likely create serious pressure to privatize postal and other public services." Like public libraries???

source: La Presse

January 23, 2005

The Australia Library and Information Association has studied the state of library and information resources and access in Australia's immigration detention centres. Here are their findings:

• there is no greater sense of humanity than to reach out to disadvantaged people and show care for their condition. The provision of relevant library and information resources and access for detainees is a tangible, useful, and appreciated measure of that care;
• refugee claimants detained in centres should have access to library and information resources for educational, informational and recreational purposes as consistent as possible with those resources available through public libraries to refugee claimants on temporary protection visas;
• all refugee claimants in mainland and offshore centres should be afforded an opportunity to educate, inform and recreate themselves through access to library and information resources appropriate to their need and language; and
• there is a special responsibility to provide for children for as long as it continues to be the policy to permit their detention in the centres.

source: PLGNet-listserv

January 21, 2005

From the Jan. 20th meeting with the Cogitateurs-Agitateurs on free and open source software for libraries, here are a couple links to items that were mentionned:

• Corporation des bibliothécaires du Québec: Québec's provincial library association. They give continuing education classes (Word doc), and the one in March will be on free and open source software for libraries.
• Bibliothèque Nationale du Québec: They have a brand new site with a ton of features available like Romans@lire, a search engine for Québécois novels; a digital library of québécois books and songs and other paraphernalia available through their catalogue; a whole slew of databases; and a digitized collection of Québécois newspapers, to be announced soon.
• Fondation pour une bibliothèque globale: A foundation whose goal it is to develop new technological solutions based on F/OSS in order to innovate and provide universal access to knowledge within the context of sustainable development. These new F/OSS tools will be developped for libraries, government, and other actors in the knowledge sector.

source: danielle

Interesting article in Indicare about the May 2004 Hearing on the Digital Media Consumers’ Rights Act, an Act to correct the problems with the DMCA and to "reaffirm fair use for consumers and augment the transparency of the use of technological protection measures." Hopefully the Canadian Government will take notice before they go along with their own recommendations for copyright reforms. CIPPIC tells us what is wrong and frightening with these recommendations.

source: Open Access News, danielle

Bookshare.org "takes advantage of a special exemption in the U.S. copyright law that permits the reproduction of publications into specialized formats for the disabled." Volunteers and members share books that they have scanned, making them available (for a small fee) for downloading (for reading with reading devices) or printing in braille.

source: Research Buzz

Government Information Quarterly is asking authors to submit papers on "the impacts and implications of national security policies regarding the flow and exchange of information. The events of September 11, 2001 triggered the adoption of legislation, policies, and practices in the United States and around the world (...). The consequences of such initiatives are relevant not only to individuals and institutions in those countries but have broader and more far-reaching impacts as well. In particular, such legislation, policies, and practices have tremendous implications for such issues as access to information, privacy, civil liberties, and intellectual freedom. This special issue of GIQ focuses on how these recent security policies and practices affect research, publishing and generally how information can be used and shared in modern times. "

The deadline for submissions of final papers is March 31, 2005. Contact Nadia Caidi for more information.

source: CLA-listserv

It's not only cities that are cutting library funding. Pataki, governor of NY, has approved flat funding for 2005 and supported last year's 5% cut to NY libraries.

source: NYLINE-listserv

January 19, 2005

The Cogitateurs Agitateurs invite all who are interested in books, the public domain, open software, and Québec's heritage to an evening of discussion on January 20th, 18h00, at the CRIM (550 Sherbrooke West, office 100, Montreal). More info (french) at: http://biblibre.notlong.com/

Les Cogitateurs Agitateurs invitent les acteurs de l'informatique libre, du livre et du patrimoine québécois à une soirée d'information et de discussion jeudi le 20 janvier 2005 à 18 heures au CRIM (550, rue Sherbrooke Ouest Bureau 100).

Cette rencontre sera le coup d'envoi d'un mouvement pour favoriser l'utilisation de l'informatique libre (logiciels, formats et protocoles) au sein de la Bibliothèque Nationale du Québec. Ce sera aussi l'occasion de sensibiliser la population à la réforme du droit d'auteur.

Pour de plus amples informations: http://biblibre.notlong.com/

source: cogitateurs-agitateurs

The CBC reports that the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Archives will be charging for access to the new facility where the archives will be housed. Many archivists of the Association of Newfoundland and Labrador Archives are displeased and believe that public records should be freely accessible to all.

source: LISNews

The National Yiddish Book Center is celebrating 25 years of rescuing Yiddish books around the world.

source: LISNews

January 17, 2005

Issue 3 of the zine 4strugglemag is now online. The Winter 2005 issue includes Election Reaction, Black History, Jericho and Police State.

source: act-mtl listserv

January 15, 2005

In order to encourage reading, the government of Québec has announced that it will give 60$ million to school libraries over the next three years! This is all part of a plan of action that wishes to: "give school teachers and librarians support in becoming intermediaries, guides and purveyors of culture" as well as "increasing access to a variety of quality literary ressources and documents and to structured and diversified reading areas."

source: Radio-Canada

January 13, 2005

French website with news about open source and free software for libraries and documentation centers: FreeBiblio.info.

The Education Institute is offering a webcast January 19th on The very political world of Canadian government information:

Government information is vital for the functioning of our democracy and for the general social, economic, and environmental health of our society. At the same time, a variety of factors may limit access to this information, including government cut-backs, privatization, attempts at cost-recovery, and a reluctance to reveal politically sensitive information. This program will explore the environment of government information in our country and offer concrete suggestions as to how you may help maintain free and open access.

source: BCLA-listserv

It's that time of year again! The Book and Periodical Council, which "monitors censorship issues in Canada, organizes the annual Freedom to Read Week, and produces an information kit each year on issues of intellectual freedom".

The Ontario Library Association's Super Conference will be in Toronto from February 3-5. Here are some interesting presentations:

• Feb. 3: Peering Into Dark Corners: Examining the Roots of Our Intellectual Freedom
• Feb. 3: Libraries Helping Libraries: A Matchmaking Approach to Developing First Nation Libraries
• Feb. 3: Libraries and Privacy: Living in a Post-911 World
• Feb. 4: Why Librarians Should Care About Digital Rights Management
• Feb. 5: Towards Understanding: Preventing Islamophobia Post 9/11

January 9, 2005

Today, in Montreal's La Presse (Cahier Lecture), there was a couple of big articles on la Grande Bibliothèque, Québec's new home for the Bibliothèque Nationale (BNQ) that is slated to be opened in April 2005. One of the articles talks about the trend of cities everywhere to erect huge libraries as monuments to culture. According to Wu Jianzhong in New Library Buildings of the World, "libraries today are no longer just places where people read, but also places where people get information, education and entertainment." And, according to another article, the new BNQ will be called upon to play a major role in urban development: cultural, and by extension, economic.

I am very excited about this new building, but I also wonder how would the people of Montreal best be served? Is one huge monument to Québécois culture a useful way to reach out to every strata of society? Or would it be more useful to really invest in a decentralized network of neighbourhood libraries that honour culture in a more local way. It's already pretty demoralizing to look at some figures of the public library system in Québec. Here are some sobering numbers from 2001 (source):

• Québec libraries spend 27,35 $CAN per capita (Alberta, BC, Ontario average 35.58 $CAN)
• Québec libraries have 2,58 books per capita (Alberta, BC, Ontario average 3,02)
• Québec libraries have 0,63 staff/year per 2000 residents (Alberta, BC, Ontario average 1,04)
• Québec libraries have a lending rate of 5,9 books per capita (Alberta, BC, Ontario average 10,1)

And, in the larger scheme of things, with all the public library closures going on in the US and in Canada, can we really celebrate these super libraries as our modern day agorae?

source: La Presse

January 7, 2005

The Canadian Library Association has set up a webpage to give information on their short and medium term response to the tsunami crisis. In their medium term plans "CLA is planning direct financial support, either to IFLA (...), or by providing funding for travel and accommodation for Canadian library and information experts to the region or wherever they can best serve, to help re-build the library services."

source: APLA-listserv

Colin Purrington, an evolutionary biologist, created some great stickers to combat the rising trend in similar anti-evolution stickers being put in science textbooks in some American schools.

source: A-libarians-listserv

January 5, 2005

From ALA's Washington Office Newsline: "This week ALA initiated a set of surveys to assess the impact of the USA PATRIOT act on America's libraries and library patrons. Working with several teams of academic researchers, ALA seeks to quantify and examine contacts by federal law enforcement agencies in public and academic libraries."

source: NYLINE-listserv

January 4, 2005

Interesting post on the Digital Copyright Canada Forum discussion list:

Once again the year rolls over, and a whole raft of old works fall into the public domain as their copyrights expire. Our collective past intellectual output moves from being "property" to being history, culture, and heritage.

Unfortunately, both in the USA and in Canada, there won't be another Public Domain Day for many years due to amendments in copyright laws.

source: Digital Copyright Canada Forum and Wired

"The Montreal Anarchist Bookfair and Festival of Anarchy is the largest anarchist event in North America, and an important exchange of anarchist and anti-authoritarian ideas. The Bookfair is for anarchists and non-anarchists alike, in French and English, with participants from all over North America and beyond. Founded in May 2000, the bookfair is now entering its sixth year." Date of bookfair: Saturday, May 21, 2005.

source: CDNAct-listserv

"The Intellectual Freedom Committee of NYLA is calling for nominations for the 21st annual Intellectual Freedom Award sponsored by NYLA and ProQuest. Nominees can be individuals or groups in New York State who have met and resisted attempts at censorship or have otherwise furthered the cause of intellectual freedom."

source: NYLINE-listserv

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