Small update and interesting sidenote. Even though the web4lib content is being presented in blog format, it’s not really a blog. That is, you can’t comment using the comment form without being a list member. Not that this is a bad thing, but it is definitely a repurposing of the blog format in a way that produces unexpected results. Anyone who doesn’t know about web4lib should read up on it. Maybe it’s the librarian in me, but I think the list of guidelines for list behavior is sane, thoughful and thorough.
Author: jessamyn
web4lib blog
Web4lib’s content is available for reading and permalinking in blog format with and RSS feed and interchangeable skins! [unalog]
the costs of copyright
Sometimes life in a world of strict copyright enforcement can seem like life in a world of crazy health insurance. My doctor doesn’t know what my health care will cost — keeping me from making informed decisions factoring in cost as one data point — and Harvard professors don’t know what their coursepacks will cost students after copyright fees are figured in. Students make illegal copies because they can’t afford a $500 coursepack. Who suffers? What is learned? [stayfree]
Legislation for Librarians
Here’s another great acronym for all librarians to know SPY BLOCK (Software Principles Yielding Better Levels of Consumer Knowledge). It’s an anti-spyware bill which, like most legislation written by people who don’t truly understand technology — or who are willfully ignoring what they know about it — is overbroad. Susan Crawford explains more. [copyfight]
The Librarian, a good book, a realistic librarian
Speaking of reading, I am reading The Librarian by Larry Beinhart the guy who wrote Wag the Dog. It’s got a realistic librarian character who gets mixed up in all sorts of adventures. You can view a few chapters online if your curiosity is piqued.