Home > News Archive > April 2005

April 29, 2005

Two great archives for open access to library literature: DLIST, the Digital Library for Information Science and Technology, and E-LIS, E-prints in Library and Information Science. Also of interest, METALIS "a Service Provider for the Library and Information Science field. We collect (harvest) metadata from institutions that offer full-text papers and documents about Library and Information Science."

Two great articles found on ELIS:

• Indigenous libraries, utopia and reality : proposing an Argentine model: Beautiful plea for progessive librarianship (excerpt):

  (The Native library) is focused to consider the social, the human and the personal factors. Only from humanistic and supportive points of view, respecting diversity and multiculturalism and understanding intercultural relations, a valid proposal for these long neglected populations could be generated. Librarianship (LIS) could contribute with its wisdom –a wisdom developed from centuries of experience- for achieving the growth and the development of these (and other) human groups. But LIS must give up its silence, its marble tower, its privileged positions in the new "knowledge society", its "apolitical" attitudes and its "objectivity". It must become more deeply involved in the problems, side with the helpless and struggle, shoulder to shoulder (maybe without tools, without technology, without money, just equipped with imagination, working wishes and service vocation) with other human beings, who were - and currently are- forgotten, just because they are faithful to themselves.

• Liberation of information as a condition to the liberation of the access to information: The article is in spanish, but the abstract looks promising.

  Emphasizes as outstanding the roles that the worldwide library community has to play as the vanguard towards the liberation of information. (...) It analyses the main mechanisms of how until nowadays information has been an object of opression against society, depriving it precisely of its access. (...) It proposes alternative strategies and policies that seek to guarantee people --including the working class people-- freedom and rights so they can achieve a free, free of charge, unhampered, democratic and socially egalitarian access to the information and knowledge that has been generated as a communal good towards the social and public welfare.

source: BCLA-listserv

April 27, 2005

In a presentation to Copyright Committee members, the BCLA outlined important issues that should be remembered or taken into account during copyright reform, like for example:

• A special interest sector of the economy is threatening to create an unfair imbalance in the copyright law of Canada
• Libraries are essential agents for a free, democratic and equitable society (and copyright reform shouldn't impinge on this)
• The use of the Internet should not be licensed.
• Proposed technological restrictions must ensure that legitimate uses are permitted.
• Libraries educational institutions and governments pay significantly for creative works.

source: BCLA-listserv

The people over at Intellectual Property & Social Justice wax poetic on World Intellectual Property Day. Here's a snippet:

Just a few people
Control our culture and wealth
And their decisions affect
Our environment n’ health
This ain’t bringing creativity
It’s one big cultural casuality

source: IPSJ Blog

Many stories on the state of libraries in the news today:

• Libraries smarting from cutbacks: " In the last 18 months, the nation's public libraries have seen their budgets cut by $111.2 million – as much as 50 percent in some states – the result of struggling economies and reductions in state financing, according to American Library Association figures. The cuts have forced layoffs, reduced operating hours and put many libraries at risk of closing." (also a good summary at the end of all the libraries that have had budget problems)
• Council hears fears on libraries: "County Executive Joel A. Giambra's warning that libraries could be next to face the budget ax left Buffalo officials looking for promises Monday that none of the city branches would shut down."
• Library looks to ban those who smell bad: "Fernandez said the library wants the city to reflect changes in society by updating its rules for customers. The goal is to maintain a safe and comfortable environment for those who visit the library. (...) City councilwoman Addie Wiseman voted against the new rules. "When we have heat waves, they encourage people, including the homeless, to go into public buildings, including our libraries. What is the plan now?" Wiseman said."
• 'New and improved' library throws the book at tradition: "The library dramatically will increase its numbers of best-sellers, in an effort to give patrons the latest hot new books and eliminate long reserve lists. Librarians are "weeding" out tomes that are not widely circulated -- an appalling thought for traditionalists, who count on the library to carry the obscure volume, too. (...) Some call it McLibrary. Everything is about volume and quick turnover. And money. (...) "We are going to live within our means," Mielke said Monday. Thus, the reinvention of the library -- which is not unique to Indy. Libraries face competition from the Internet and multiple other distractions. So they increasingly market to consumers. Library CEOs get points for business backgrounds -- and earn big bucks."
• Library board removes ALA's "bill of rights" from its collections policy: "Spearheading the change was Barton Cohen, a Leawood lawyer who was attending the final meeting of his four-year term. Two years ago, Cohen objected to a bill of rights' guideline that called on member libraries to buy materials that reflected all points of view, but other board members rejected his proposal. This week, he prevailed."

source: Google News; Topix.net

April 25, 2005

The CLA president has written a letter to the government in response to the announced copyright amendments. Caution is the name of the game:

The statement of intent regarding pending legislation demonstrates that several of the key concerns of the users of copyrighted content have been heard. As presented, the framework for copyright reform stands as a reasonable attempt to balance the competing interests in this complex and contentious area. However, (...) we continue to have several very serious concerns. Past experience with copyright reform has taught us that initial intent can be substantially altered as legislation moves through the political process in the House of Commons and Senate. The potential for unintended and intended negative consequences introduced in the details of legislative language cannot be ignored in areas as complex as digital copyright and regulation of the Internet.

source: APLA-listserv

An excellent article in the Militant exposing the dirty underbelly of Cuban "independant libraries" and "Friends of Cuban Libraries".

source: i forget...

Looking to increase the amount of alternative publications in your academic library? Check out this bibliography of "Selected articles addressing issues related to access to alternative sources of information in academic libraries."

source: APLA-listserv

April 24, 2005

This weekend in La Presse, there was a big section on Libraries, and more specifically, the new National Library in Québec called La Grande Bibliothèque, which is set to open next week (they are expecting up to 30,000 people to attend in the first two days!). The articles speak about the great enthusiasm that the library has generated everywhere. For example, two weeks ago, they signed people up for library cards in the subway adjacent to the library. It was like a rock show! There was a 45 minute line-up to get a card! There have also been many radio interviews and comments about the new library. One journalist who had just visited the library said that the interior was so beautiful that it would probably incite many people to work in a library!

There was also an article in the Travel section of La Presse saying how the trend to build new libraries is actually drawing tourists! Here is a small section of this article (translated):

People had predicted the end of libraries but we are witnessing their revival! It's ironic that our electronic age will go down in history as the golden age of great libraries! In the last decade, there have been more than 20 great new libraries built around the world. (…) The role of libraries no longer limits itself to books and reading. They are places of information, for meeting people, for culture, education, entertainment and even tourist attractions. Curious people flock to the new buildings, attracted by their beautiful architecture, their guided tours or their exhibitions, and also for their free internet access.

Although their were many good words to say about libraries, there was also the inevitable question that was raised: "Will the Grande Bibliothèque cannibalize the smaller neighbourhood libraries? And what if all that money had been given to the indigent school libraries?" Those are fair questions that unfortunately, the director of la Grande Bibliothèque dismisses:

That idea is really a cliché. If the government had decided to take the 100 million to construct many small libraries, the result would have been many little libraries with all the same books (…): dictionaries, reference books and classics of québécois literature.

I think that is sidestepping the problem. Money need not be given for construction, but simply for buying books and providing better services! Is it better to have one hard to access place with everything? Or many easy to access places with fewer books but more community outreach. Many articles in La Presse touch on this, on the indigence of public and school libraries (and probably how 100 million dollars could have done a whole lot of good!) Here are some scary examples of the lack of funds for these libraries:

• The director of a small school library, l'école Plateau St-Louis, has asked a big furniture store chain in Québec (Brault & Martineau) to finance the school library because of lack of funds! ("This story time is sponsored by…") yikes!
• The acquisition budget for the education system went from 5,27$ / student in 1989 to 3,75$ / student in 2003. And school librarians went from being 140 to 72 in that same period of time.
• There are also inequalities between rich and poor neighbourhoods in Montreal. The rich communities can afford to comply with the standard of 1 librarian / 10,000 people. In the poor neighbourhoods, it is 0.5 librarians / 10,000 people, on top of lower lending rates and less patrons. For example, in one of the poorest communities in Montreal (Hochelaga-Maisonneuve), 2 librarian positions have been slashed, and now there are only two librarians left for 130,000 residents! The two librarian positions have been transformed into a managerial position because the elected officials didn't think this would affect services! In this neighbourhood, a small advocacy group has formed called Bibliomanes Langelier, to try and bring awareness to the sad state of community libraries.

Whatever the effect of the Grande Bibliothèque, many librarians hope that the library fever that is accompanying its construction, and the fact that Montreal is world book capital this year, will entice more people to read and to frequent their community libraries.

source: La Presse

April 21, 2005

The Wisconsin Public Library Consortium published a study showing that library users vote more (80%) than non-library users (65%).

source: PLGNet-listserv

The library world has been divided over RFIDs and concomitant privacy issues. I think that's the tip of the iceberg. This story reveals that a suburban Chicago library board might be going ahead with biometric technology for public computer access. Why worry about the PATRIOT Act in libraries when the FBI can probably just use the Act to search biometric technology vendors' records and data! Not to mention that buying the technology for libraries would just mean more taxpayers' money to corporations feeding off of the administration's "war on terror".

source: Topix.net

April 19, 2005

Great editorial entitled "Save Library Culture" that denounces cuts to library budgets in the United States. It even mildly scorches Laura Bush:

Isn't it odd that Laura Bush, a former librarian, is traveling the country pushing literacy at a time when the most accessible sources of reading materials, especially for the disadvantaged, are in crisis because of insufficient funding? In Kentucky, first lady Glenna Fletcher has mounted a similar campaign. And Rep. Anne Northup, who often engages the challenges of children with learning disabilities, has made reading a key part of her political agenda. We look to them to champion better funding for libraries, not just homilies about teaching children to read.

These subtleties are perhaps lost on the ALA, as they honoured Mrs. Bush last week for "years of support to libraries."

source: Topix.net

April 16, 2005

Armenia now has six libraries that make up the Human Rights Library Network. Donations are welcome, as they "contribute to raising public legal awareness and the development of Civil Society in Armenia." The NGO behind the network is the Armenian Constitutional Right-Protective Centre.

source: Topix.net

That's how Culturescope.ca describes itself, a Canadian Cultural Observatory. It's an amazing resource! It even has an online reference service! A very useful section on copyright is also included, with information on Canadian copyright, International copyright and Digital copyright.

source: Merci Olivier!

A workshop by Judith Siess on "The Visible Librarian: Marketing and Advocacy" will talk not only about CUSTOMER service in libraries but also the following subjects:

• Library Resources Are for Use
• Every Customer His or Her Library Resources
• Every Library Resource Its Customer
• Save the Time of the Customer
• A Library Is a Growing Organism

Somehow, I don't think Ranganathan thought of the library as a business. Unfortunately, the library as commerce is taking off in many places, for example, in London Ontario, where an MBA holder with zero library experience has now become CEO of the London Public Library.

source: CLA-listserv + PLGNet-listserv

The IFLA Free Access to Information and Freedom of Expression Office is in the collection process for the IFLA/FAIFE World Report 2005. It will focus on

• Anti-terror legislation and libraries
• Women and freedom of access to information
• HIV/AIDS awareness and libraries

"The IFLA/FAIFE Office would like to hear from any LIS professionals who are interested in helping out with the report by providing information relating to intellectual freedom in their country." More info here.

source: danielle

The Kate Sharpley Library has written an Obituary for the late Antonio Téleez Solà, anarchist, guerilla, historian, and prolific writer of the anti-Franco resistance.

source: Kate Sharpley Library

Seven Stories "Censored 2005" book is "dedicated to the American Library Association and Public Libraries Everywhere". All 25 stories found here.

source: PLGNet-listserv

April 9, 2005

That's the title of a great editorial in the Georgetown Voice raising the alarm on cuts to libraries.

We need to save our libraries. Libraries are like a frosty glass of milk for the American soul: tasty, wholesome, mother-approved and more importantly, a necessary part of a healthy intellectual life.

source: Google News

In light of the recent Copyright talks in Ottawa, Chris Brand and others over at Digital-Copyright Canada have written petition asking the Government to consider the rights of citizens as stakeholders in Copyright law, and not pass any reforms without public consultation. This is the main demand of the petition

Your petitioners call upon Parliament to ensure generally that users are recognised as interested parties and are meaningfully consulted about proposed changes to the Copyright Act and to ensure in particular that any changes at least preserve all existing users' rights, including the right to use copyrighted materials under Fair Dealing and the right to make private copies of audio recordings. We further call upon Parliament not to extend the term of copyright; and to recognise the right of citizens to personally control their own communication devices.

source: Digital-Copyright Canada

April 7, 2005

Hearings are being held to look at 16 provisions of the PATRIOT Act that are scheduled to expire at the end of 2005. BeSpacific has more on this. Section 215 is one of these provisions. This is the section that allows the FBI to ask for patron records.

There was some misinformation at the hearings today when FBI Director Robert Mueller said he did not know of laws protecting the privacy of patron records. See ALA's reaction to Mueller's ignorance.

For more info about how to fight against Section 215, check out this great site: Campaign For Reader Privacy. This is a coalition made up of the ALA and several other prominent organizations. The purpose of the web site is to inform people about the USA PATRIOT Act and to collect signatures on an online petition to support amendments to the act which would get rid of Section 215.

source: John and PLGNet-listserv

Joan Airoldi is this year's recipient of the PEN/Newman's Own First Amendment Award handed out by the PEN American Center. Mrs Airoldi won the prize for challenging an FBI effort to search patron records at the Whatcom County Library System (WA). Link to story.

source: BCLA-listserv

Seems so, according to the Buffalo and Erie County public library director.

source: Google News

April 6, 2005

Back in the fall, many people were talking about how the PATRIOT Act could actually undermine Canadian citizens' privacy. From a recent post over at Michael Geist's blog:

[In a ruling handed down on March 23rd, 2005] The British Columbia Supreme Court has dismissed a claim by a B.C. union challenging the outsourcing of the management of health information to a U.S. company. (...) [T]he real issue is not the outsourcing of data to the U.S. Rather, it is the ability of U.S. courts to assert jurisdiction over Canadian organizations with even a small U.S. presence, which, notwithstanding PIPEDA [Canada’s Personal Information and Electronic Documents Act], effectively limits the privacy protection enjoyed in Canada.

Here's what Mr. Geist had to say about it all last summer.

source: Michael Geist's blog

April 4, 2005

From Saturday's post, there is more info about the banning of a meeting at the FDR Library over at the Librarian blog. There have also been some unfortunate and short-sighted comments over at LISNews. Thankfully though, the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute (they raise money for the FDR library) wants the decision of the meeting ban to be reversed. Hopefully Mrs Koch is listening.

source: Kathleen de la Pena McCook

Interesting short interview with the president of the US National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, "an independent agency of the federal government, [that] advises policymakers on issues concerning libraries and the dissemination and use of information." I had never heard of the this commission before. Concerning the closure of the Salinas library, the Commission's president, Mrs Fitzsimmons, says:

Over this past year, 40 library systems have been closed in the United States. My feeling, and I don't know if it's true in all cases, is that libraries, like other government entities in the community, are all struggling for the same tax dollars for support. Unless they can identify specific roles and relevance, then people are going to say, 'Is it important for me to support this building full of books and the Internet when most people have an access to those things themselves?'

... In Ann Arbor we've just built one brand new library, and we've just broken ground for another new library. Clearly, this community supports libraries. But that's the whole key: How does the library relate to its constituent group?

Perhaps this is naive (since I don't work in a public library), but I don't agree that libraries need to seek relevance in a community (to me, it's like saying, does a hospital or the democratic process have relevance). However I do think that libraries need to be fully involved in and with the community (not their "constituents" - what loaded political jargon!), not to prove their relevance, but because that is their inherent role. Finally, I think it is also extremely fallacious for Mrs Fitzsimmons to think that "most people have an access to [books and the Internet] themselves".

Also disturbing for me: "Trust and Terror: New Demands for Crisis Information Dissemination and Management": a campaign by the Commission to make libraries more relevant in the age of "terrorism". I find it distasteful to use government scare tactics (like the colour coded terrorism alerts or the overuse of the word "terror") as library advocacy for politcal leverage in Washington. Here is a quote from their slideshow:

Crisis information must come from trusted and reliable sources. We need to know that the information we receive is from authoritative sources. In the United States, examples of these reliable sources are the State Department, the Centers for Disease Control, the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In addition, when it reaches us, the information must be usefully organized and independently verified. In suggesting a stronger and more proactive role for public libraries to help the nation cope with terrorism and other disasters, we are not suggesting that libraries should replace the role of Federal agencies in crisis information but rather, that they can complement the Federal role. In using the library network we contend that the nation’s anti-terrorism response machinery will be far stronger than it would be if Federal agencies acted without this partnership.

source: Google News

April 2, 2005

The FDR Library needs to be reminded of the ALA Bill of Rights which states:

Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

The Library's Director Cynthia Koch has refused to let the Older Women's League hold a forum on the issue of Social Security privatization.

A letter from Koch told them they could not have the event without a speaker to "give a presentation on the features and merits of President Bush's proposed changes to Social Security," saying the law bars the use of federal facilities for partisan events, and that the program for the event would not be balanced.

How can the US administration claim to want to bring democracy to Middle East countries when it can't even allow it in its own country?? Link to story.

source: Google News

The Graduate School of Library & Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign and the Community Informatics Initiative is holding a Community Infomartics Day on April 8th.

Community informatics is the field of scholarship, policy, and practice that helps communities use information technologies to improve healthcare, foster civic engagement, preserve cultural heritage, inspire and educate youth, improve economic development, and achieve other goals related to social change.

source: Socjust-listserv

WIPO has decided to

... shut out many public interest groups from two April meetings about the impact of patent, copyright and related regimes on the developing world (...) Most of the groups barred from the meetings, which are to focus on whether WIPO should adopt a "Development Agenda," are public interest organizations with special expertise on issues of economic development. Without the input of these groups, the meetings can do little to further WIPO's understanding of how patents, copyright, and related rights affect developing nations.

It may be too late to sign the petition, but the issue remains important to ensure "transparency, participation, balance and access". Link to story

source: Digital Copyright Canada

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