Category «Libraries & Librarians»

Internet Archive Open Library lawsuit moves forward; arguments set for November 2021

Chris Meadows discusses the ongoing case by four publishers, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins Publishers, John Wiley & Sons and Penguin Random House, against the Internet Archives Open Library respective to the scanning, public display, and distribution of entire literary works. As noted, this is “a potentially sensitive, and complex litigation.” The future of the Internet Archive may hang in the balance. This case is shining light on the heightened importance of evaluating fair use during a pandemic that is keeping vast books collections out of users reach for the unforeseeable future, while most education is confined to distance learning.

Subjects: Business Research, Competitive Intelligence, Distance Learning, Education, KM, Legal Research, Libraries & Librarians, Search Engines, Virtual Library

As libraries go digital, paper books still have a lot to offer us

Ksenya Kiebuzinski, University of Toronto Libraries, offers perspective on how librarians face challenges in maintaining traditional means of accessing and delivering information to our users while embracing innovative media. We appreciate the value of both analogue (print books, manuscripts, maps, globes) and digital resources like Google Maps, databases and digital archives. One format captures the history of institutions in general, and of libraries, in particular. The other allows for more equitable and experimental access. Yet, being an advocate for print can be a thankless task. For librarians in all sectors this article is a lessons learned to share with colleagues and decision makers.

Subjects: Archives, Big Data, Education, Information Management, KM, Libraries & Librarians, Library Marketing, Reference Resources

2020 Directory of Directories

This new guide by Marcus P. Zillman is a comprehensive listing of directory, subject guide and index resources and sites on the Internet. The guide includes sites in the private, public, corporate, academic and non-profit sectors and spans the following subject matters: Academic/Education; Economics/Business; Government and Statistics; Humanities; Information and Information Science; Law; Medicine; News; Science and Engineering; and Social Sciences.

Subjects: AI, Business Research, Competitive Intelligence, Digital Archives, Economy, Education, Federal Legislative Research, KM, Legal Research, Librarian Resources, Libraries & Librarians, News Resources, Reference Resources, Search Engines, United States Law

Pete Recommends Weekly highlights on cyber security issues June 27, 2020

Privacy and security issues impact every aspect of our lives – home, work, travel, education, health and medical records – to name but a few. On a weekly basis Pete Weiss highlights articles and information that focus on the increasingly complex and wide ranging ways technology is used to compromise and diminish our privacy and security, often without our situational awareness. Four highlights from this week: How to make sure Google automatically deletes your data on a regular basis; Wrongfully Accused by an Algorithm; Library officials warn: Stop microwaving books to kill COVID-19; and Making .gov More Secure by Default.

Subjects: AI, Civil Liberties, Cybercrime, Cybersecurity, Education, Government Resources, Healthcare, Legal Research, Libraries & Librarians, Privacy, Search Engines, Social Media, Technology Trends

COVID-19, Copyright and Library Superpowers Part I

If you work in any of the higher ed institutions that are preparing to move online – maybe your copyright world has exploded in a range of questions on fair use, e-reserves, online access, scanning, digitization, and more! Many in the library community are working towards the best solution for students, faculty, staff, and patrons in this time of crisis. To help you navigate this process, lawyer, librarian, copyright academic Kyle K. Courtney’s Two Part article offers a wealth of guidance on the legal tools libraries have for copyright as “stewards of access” in our communities. [See Part 2]

Subjects: Copyright, Education, Federal Legislative Research, Health, Law Librarians, Legal Education, Legal Research, Libraries & Librarians, Licensing, Reference Resources

Business as (Un)Usual: Library Business Continuity Amid COVID-19

Ellyssa Valenti Kroski, Director of Information Technology/Marketing, The New York Law Institute, shares proactive steps her organization took to transition to a remote workplace during the pandemic, the technology and processes they implemented, and important tips for preparing your own library.

Subjects: Email, Email Security, Healthcare, KM, Law Library Management, Legal Research, Legal Technology, Libraries & Librarians, Management, Mobile Technology, Telecommuting

Toxic for libraries? KKR investment firm to buy OverDrive, biggest library ebook company

The KKR investment firm is buying OverDrive, the biggest library ebook company, providing ebooks and audiobooks to 43,000+ libraries and schools in 75 countries – from Rakuten, also owner of the Kobo ereader, audiobook and ebook business. As the number of e-book publishers and ereaders continues to shrink, David H. Rothman asks, “do we really want to trust digital libraries to KKR on issues ranging from access to reliable digital preservation.”

Subjects: E-Books, Education, KM, Libraries & Librarians, Library Software & Technology, Software

Converging Paths: A Librarian’s Journey to Becoming a Privacy Professional

After receiving her MLIS Stephanie Davis worked in the field of knowledge management (KM) where she sourced, documented, categorized, and shared information about her consulting firm’s people and project experiences. Davis designed webpages, delivered training programs on information access and disclosure, and administered communications and awareness campaigns. She also tracked metrics and presented reports to senior management to demonstrate the KM program was delivering against our strategy and mandate. Davis became interested in keeping data secure and maintaining confidentiality while also focusing on how to make information as accessible as possible so her clients could achieve their objectives – and this article discusses her role as a privacy professional.

Subjects: Big Data, Computer Security, Cybercrime, Cybersecurity, KM, Law Librarians, Leadership, Libraries & Librarians, Privacy