Google's Library

"Google Book-Scanning Pact to Give Libraries Input on Price"

By MIGUEL HELFT
Published: May 20, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO — In a move that could blunt some of the criticism of Google for its settlement of a lawsuit over its book-scanning project, the company signed an agreement with the University of Michigan that would give some libraries a degree of oversight over the prices Google could charge for its vast digital library.

Google has faced an onslaught of opposition over the far-reaching settlement with authors and publishers. Complaints include the exclusive rights the agreement gives Google to publish online and to profit from millions of so-called orphan books, out-of-print books that are protected by copyright but whose rights holders cannot be found.

The Justice Department has also begun an inquiry into whether the settlement, which is subject to approval by a court, would violate antitrust laws.

Google used the opportunity of the University of Michigan agreement to rebut some criticism.

“I think that it’s pretty short- sighted and contradictory,” said Sergey Brin, a Google co-founder and its president of technology. Mr. Brin said the settlement would allow Google to offer widespread access to millions of books that are largely hidden in the stacks of university libraries.

“We are increasing choices,” Mr. Brin said. “There was no option prior to this to get these sorts of books online.”

Under Google’s plan for the collection, public libraries will get free access to the full texts for their patrons at one computer, and universities will be able to buy subscriptions to make the service generally available, with rates based on their student enrollment.

The new agreement, which Google hopes other libraries will endorse, lets the University of Michigan object if it thinks the prices Google charges libraries for access to its digital collection are too high, a major concern of some librarians. Any pricing dispute would be resolved through arbitration.

Only the institutions that lend books to Google for scanning — now 21 libraries in the United States — would be allowed to object to pricing.

The new agreement also gives the university, and any library that signs a similar agreement, a discount on its subscription proportional to the number of books it contributes to Google’s mass digitization project. Since Michigan is lending a large number of books, it will receive Google’s service free for 25 years.

“This agreement gives us a number of things in the context of the settlement that are valuable to us and we think are valuable to other libraries,” said Paul Courant, dean of libraries at the University of Michigan.

The American Library Association, which has asked the court to oversee aspects of the settlement, said the new agreement is a step in the right direction but is insufficient to ensure that Google does not set artificially high prices for its digital collection.

“Any library must have the ability to request that the judge review the pricing should a dispute arise,” said Corey Williams, associate director at the association’s Washington office.

Since libraries that contribute books will receive discounts, they may have fewer incentives to complain about prices.

The new agreement does not address other criticism, including the complaints over orphan works and worries that the agreement does not protect the privacy of readers of Google’s digital library.

Matt Marshall

Sun City Public Library

News for all, the Sun City library is doing construction tight now and the new building is going to be three times bigger that the last. It's going to have a section for young adults and a children's section. This is great news! For those of you who know Sun City's library only had a little, tiny corner for children and never had a designated young adult section. I'm very excited for one to see the final result. If building goes according to plan it should be finish the end of this November 2009. Mark your calenders!

Adults and students aren't the only ones being provided with computer access at the library. Many libraries are offering Early Literacy Stations for those children learning to read. Early literacy stations have a colorful keyboard to help enhance learning letter placement, and a colorful mouse to help differentiate which button to click. They come pre-loaded with educational games that teach phonics, word sounds, letter and number recognition, addition and subtraction, shapes, patterns, and other early learning concepts. These computers are not hooked up to the Internet so that little ones are not exposed to inappropriate content, and time limits can be set. These computers can be hooked up to a printer so that pictures or images from the games can be printed.


It is not news to anyone that reading skills are extremely important for young children to learn. Nor, can anyone deny how necessary having computer skills is becoming in today's society. These Early Literacy Stations are helping provide young children with good basic skills they will build on for the rest of their lives. I hope every library will soon have these available in their children's departments.

Blogging about.....Blogging!

Blogs are big, anyone who has been online lately can't help but have stumbled over a few hundred of them. They are everywhere and are no longer the domain of just one age group. Kids, teens, adults, senior citizens, hobbyists, and business are all blogging, and now, so are libraries. In another effort to show teens that the library has a place for them, many libraries are adding blogging capabilities to their teen web pages to generate interest and a sense of community in their local teen users. The Escondido Public Library has Escoteens, a blog that offers a place just for Escondido Teens to virtually chat, meet, and hang out. The pages are moderated by the young adult librarians giving them a safe space to discuss music, books, movies, comic books, video games, volunteer opportunities, or just their normal teen angst without danger of words or attitudes going to far. I think this is a great way to involve teens with the library and reading. They are much more likely to listen to what their peers say is a must read, must see, must play, or must listen too, than any adult, and a teen library blog gives them just the place to do it!

Here is the link from below!

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/education/article4783690.ece

Alternative Libraries

Many people are intimidated by libraries because of their reputation of being stuffy, quiet, and only a place where studious "nerds" go. Because of this stereotype, many Alternative libraries have formed, trying to attract patrons who may not have entered a library. I think this idea is genius! I know that every person has different learning preferences and classic libraries may not serve certain people. Even allowing drinks in the library (Temecula Public allows it), is new and unlibrarish. Check out (no pun intended) the link below for an article from the UK regarding this issue.

I changed our blog background today to a cool "retro" green.

Playaways

Wow! What a cool concept!! I am kinda an old fashioned gal, but even I can appreciate this technology. The days of traveling, playing the ABC game may be over...now there are many more options, at affordable prices.

Playaways- the New Frontier of Audio-books

Libraries everywhere are starting to invest in a new audio-book called playaways. Playaways use MP3 digital technology so the entire audio content of a book is stored in a device no bigger than the palm of your hand. The front of each playaway is imprinted with the cover of the book it contains, so there is no confusion if you check out several. They are easy to use and have built-in features such as fast-forward and rewind, along with volume control. They will start up automatically from the place you left off, and can be carried anywhere you go. They run on AA batteries and can be used with any standard set of earphones or earbuds.


So, yes, they're a cool new toy...but why are they a big deal? The reason is simple...COST! Playaways are not only equally priced or CHEAPER to buy initially than a regular audio CD or cassette, but also have no maintenance other than changing the batteries associated with them. They cannot be scratched like CD's nor can they be worn out or damaged like cassettes, because they are completely self-contained. The patron benefits because, as mentioned above, they are completely mobile, along with the fact that the patron needs to purchase no additional equipment to be able to use them. It is a rare situation where everyone wins.


Vacation time is almost upon us everyone, head down to your library and check out your favorite authors for that long car/bus/train/plane ride you have ahead of you this summer. And pssst...hey....you...yeah the parents....kids can't agree on an audio book for the car, and if you hear one more Hank the Cowdog story you think you'll go insane? Well, smile and relax! Your kids can listen to Magic Tree House and Harry Potter respectively...and you, you can catch up on the new Evanovich book....yeah.....everyone wins.


Heather Wulf

The World's Library

Imagine, a library designed to provide knowledge not to just a community, but the entire world. A virtual library, anyone with access to a computer can visit. Not too long ago this idea was just that, an idea. Not anymore.

"For the first time in history, all the significant literary, artistic, and scientific works of mankind can be digitally preserved and made freely available, in every corner of the world, for our education, study, and appreciation and that of all our future generations."

All this thanks to the Universal Digital Library, whose mission is to "create a digital library which will foster creativity and free access to all human knowledge." Check it out here...
Universal Digital Library


Matt Marshall

RFID = More efficient libraries???

What is RFID? RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. Read on...

As explained on the Frequently Asked Questions page of the web site for the RFID Journal , Radio Frequency Identification, or RFID, is "a generic term for technologies that use radio waves to automatically identify individual items." RFID has been evolving into a more effective, convenient, and cost-efficient technology since World War II. American companies, especially those in the automotive, packaging and handling, and retail industries, began to integrate RFID technology into the structure of their businesses in the late 1990s. In 2000, several libraries around the world announced their intent to integrate RFID technology into their library systems, pioneering its use for contemporary library functions, including the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Lied Library; the National University of Singapore Library; the New Hanover County Public Library of Wilmington, North Carolina; and the Santa Clara City Library of Santa Clara, California.

The theory here is that RDIF technology will benefit libraries in a number of ways.

*Libraries are moving to RFID systems in place of (or sometimes supplemental to) their bar code systems because of the streamlined workflows that become possible. Some have found that inventory-related tasks can be done in a fraction of the time with RFID. Many use inventory wands are used to locate lost books and to find misshelved or missing items.

*RFID-based circulation systems can process many more books in a shorter period of time with little or no staff intervention. Self-check systems have become very popular with both patrons and staff, and RFID self-check systems allow patrons to check-in or check-out several books at a time. RFID-enabled self-check systems reduce the number of staff needed at the circulation desk. Because the readers do not require line-of-site, multiple items can be read simultaneously by passing a stack of books near the reader. Some say that the RFID self-check systems are easier to use than their optically-based counterparts, making it easer for patrons to serve themselves.

*For archivists handling sensitive materials, the ability to inventory items without handling them is another benefit of RFID.

*And while it has net yet been proven, some librarians believe RFID systems will reduce repetitive stress injuries associated with checking out books using barcode systems.

Of course some say the use of RFID technology in libraries could result in a problem that possibly outweighs the benefits...

"One snag facing RFID, however, is that consumer advocates are in an uproar. They say the unchecked spread of the devices in libraries and elsewhere could spell disaster for privacy. They envision a future in which a network of hidden RFID readers track consumers' every move, their belongings and their reading habits, though most agree that such a scenario is largely impossible today for technical reasons." Lorie Gilbert, CNet News.

I guess only time will tell. Until next time...

Matt Marshall

Gaming in Libraries

While many libraries around the country are adding more technology to get little ones more attracted to the library, there have been some down sides to the whole idea. See the story below.

In an attempt to attract youngsters, employees of one Nebraska public library recently instituted a gaming workshop, until, that is, constroversy paralyzed the effort.One local taxpayer caught wind of the Omaha librarians' unorthodox event via the above video, which shows the librarians playing the game 'Rock Band' in what appears to be the library's study room. The librarians had posted the video in hopes of promoting the workshops. Apparently outraged, the whistleblower put a call in to Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley's office. In no time, Foley had launched an investigation."It was state employees, on state time, during work hours, playing with and setting up a PlayStation video game system," Foley told Omaha's Action 3 News. We wouldn't imagine he thinks that's a good thing.Foley went on to say that a six-member board has been appointed by Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman to further investigate the case and determine whether or not these gaming workshops are a waste of taxpayers' money. Is it just us or is it terribly ironic that the state's investigation will, no doubt, cost a lot more taxpayer money than the librarians may or may not have wasted?

from: http://www.switched.com/2009/02/27/librarians-busted-for-playing-rock-band-on-the-job/


I guess playing Guitar Hero, Rock Band, and Dance Dance Revolution is a no-no one the clock. Oh, well guess I'll actually have to work...at work.

Dogs in the library?

Let the Games Begin!!!

When I think of a library, the word "fun" usually doesn't come to mind. Libraries typically involve work, whether through studying, research, homework, etc. You get the idea, it's usually not by choice to visit, but rather by necessity. I'm an adult and these are my feelings, imagine then, how a typical teenager feels about visiting a library!

Libraries have begun to understand this, and have started searching for ways to get kids more interested in visiting the local libraries in their area. What does almost every kid in the world like to do? Play of course! And what form of technology has become the media in which kids entertain themselves these days? Games, or gaming.

Libraries around the country have begun to introduce gaming in to their curriculum in hopes of attracting more kids, and even adults, to visit their libraries. So far this move has been met with outstanding success. Case in point...



Until next time...Matt Marshall

Library Technologies slice of the pie...

Will the Stimulus Package save LT's future? Library Technology is in constant motion. Changing, adapting, continually evolving to keep up with the times. As with anything, this takes money. As most of us are aware, our nation's economy has seen better days. Funding for education and public services is being drastically reduced, or eliminated all together. Unfortunately this includes libraries. This very week, President Obama signed off on his $775 billion dollar stimulus package, a package that claims to help spur our countries economy, and restore order to what has become a financial nightmare.

Daniel A. Freeman wrote an article "Where is Library Technology in the Stimulus?", addressing this question on so many librarians and library technicians minds. According to his article, "the slowdown in economic growth has not slowed the growing popularity of new, bandwidth intensive technology." This is unfortunate for libraries because public library use is rapidly on the rise due to this sluggish economy, forcing people to cut back on luxuries such as broadband internet access at home. In a functioning economy this wouldn't present a problem, but the funds libraries typically have set aside for library improvements are having to be spent to keep faciltites open and ensure that basic services can be provided.

In a recent interview with Alan Inouye, the director of ALA's Office of Information Technology Policy, Mr. Inouye stated, "Of course in the near-term, many states and localities and private sector organizations are experiencing difficult financial conditions, adversely affecting public, academic, school, and other libraries. But there is some hope as the Obama Administration’s stimulus package is expected to place some emphasis (and provide some cash!) on national broadband infrastructure build-out and aid to states and localities. And ALA’s Washington Office is working vigorously to include libraries in the relevant parts of the stimulus package. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation continues its hardware grants under its Opportunity Online program and just announced its intention to make broadband grants under this program. Finally, OITP continues its efforts to increase library participation in the E-rate program, both helping applicants through the application process and advocating for program simplification."

So in the end it seems only time will tell if Library Technology will weather the storm that we all face.

Until next time...Matt Marshall