Kindle wars

While the controversy surrounding the kindle device, as it stands in an academic setting, has inspired much beneficial debate it has also hindered some improvements on the device that would have been a great asset to many. The hype has caused some damage to a process that could have done much more for individuals and students who have limitations often not accounted for in the bigger scheme of educational practices. The Cornelle University video footage addressed this issue through discussion about adapting the Kindle to have an audio component that essentially read or spoke the menus and works contained within. However, this was thwarted by licensing laws and regulations. Although Amazon later reflected that marketing the audio component as a feature for the blind and other disabled users would have better gotten around these restrictions, it was too little too late. I admit that this information was very disappointing and I feel an audio feature could benefit multiple members of the academic world. Ranging from elementary students to those in continuing education, the kindle and other such similar devises has the potential to be a worthy sidekick in any individuals educational process.

presentation is power

While I enjoyed Yudof's article and agreed on many of the points that were addressed, the overall tone of the piece sometimes overshadowed the messages he was aiming to present. I was impressed at the boldness of his direction and especially liked the portion where he discussed how government institutions have been known to rely on the values of the individual. I also liked how he expanded by stating that governments have also obtained power through catering or capitalizing on these values, but I feel that those who would best benefit from the material in this article could possibly be deterred from reading it critically because of the delivery. Furthermore, as a result of the brisk tone I worry that those reading this whose views are more extreme are not encouraged to think outside of the points that are presented. In other words, at times this article felt more like a political campaign piece meant to rile people up rather than informative work encouraging people to see outside their current mindset.

man made by nature

"Inventors may patent a particular application of scientific information--a human invention--but not the information itself, which is nature's invention." 192

When reading the article "Telling Tales out of school" by C. McSherry I couldn't help but think about the above statement in respect to the dilemma presented in Brown's article. The debate about culture and if a copyright value can be placed on tribal art is one that can be better understood when linked with the concept of 'nature's invention.' While the western approach would deem 'nature's invention' something created with less human interaction, many tribal communities have a belief system that does not have such a fine line between what nature creates and what humans create as inspired by nature or spirituality. Once again this leads to the debate about how certain pieces of work should be treated by western law if the laws of the culture in which it was created do not match.

Out with the old in with the new?

This concept of out with the old in with the new is further discussed in "Revising copyright law for the information age." While Litman's examples more directly relate to a time in copyright history that is closer the present, her assessment of the pros and cons to using vs ignoring previous copyright example puts the debate surrounding copyright into a more presentable context. Should we operate on an older model or should we create a newer and more modern system that can better handle the demands of digital enterprises and the ideas created within this environment? The question then becomes how do we go about making these changes, if any? Should the laws be more manageable to the average person (179)? Without this adjustment in presentation to the lay person versus copyright lawyers, is it even worth it to make the necessary adjustments that will bring the law more in sync with digital influence?

does copyright protect or vicimize?

The creations (art, music, and other cultural presentations) of tribal communities has become an object of discussion within many fields of academic study for the very reason that it is addressed in the article "Culture and Copyrights." The article expressed how through an egocentric approach to the assessment of what is considered copyright worthy, the western mentality greatly diminished the integrity of the cultural expression and spiritual value displayed by the Aboriginals represented in the Bulun Bulun case. What came to be debated was the idea that regardless of the Aboriginals original motivations of creation, their work was forced into a world where capitalist value was placed on anything that could potentially fetch a price. Thus, by being denied copyright, the aboriginals were at high risk of being financially abused by those outside the community.

If any capitalist gain is to be made off the work created in this community, shouldn't the benefits and proceeds go to the community from which it came?

In many respects, original European copyright ideas are outdated and inappropriate. Among the reasons, not only are they operating on old prejudice social ideals, but they refer to a reproduction process of material that no longer strictly applies. The new wave of producing information has evolved and changed in the digital age. Since old world copyright ideals are simply that, the new intellectual property principles have been approached as the savior of protecting material that does not fit into the traditional western model. As expressed on page 55 of the article, there is argument that intellectual property rights will protect heritage. This is a very strong first step, but one that still does not address the heart of the issue. Unfortunately, it is the mentality of what is deemed worthy that needs to be addressed in sync with seeking another means of protection outside of the traditional model. Until more respect is grated to communities and practices that are vastly different from what the western world deems to have worth, it will be some time before the creative expressions of these communities are handled appropriately.

does copyright encourage or hinder?

Property rights as a means to encourage individuals to produce information. A powerful slogan, but is it that simple? Based on Boyle's article, this idea is well founded and supported through examples and logical thought. However, in many respects the principles of copyright promote more than just the process of encouragement. Sometimes if not properly balanced, it can create a propensity to harbor ideas until there is some transaction of compensation. The process of reciprocation is not what is worrisome, but merely the ability to grossly capitalize on this reciprocation in such a way that it can become unfair to one of the interacting parties. While it is important to protect the creator of a work, it is also just as important to protect the access to information. Although copyright can aid in preserving the integrity of a work or idea, this same protection can work against the expression of the idea by limiting it to a certain criteria group or making it difficult to expand past a large monopolized entity.

Literacy

"Literacy in American Lives" by Deborah Brandt discusses how becoming literate in American society goes beyond simply learning how to read and into the realm of economics, race, opportunity, and structure as influenced by ‘sponsors.’ All of these concepts, although not new, are important to the analysis of what it means to be literate. While there is a point when one is deemed illeteate, there is not a simple split between those who are literate and those who are not. It is in the area of grayscale where a large portion of the populous dwells. Those wishing to properly understand the how's and why's of this, must dive into a social stratesphere interwoven with all the dynamics that contribute to human nature and survival. Literacy, like so many other things in life, is shaped by the social structure that surrounds it.

intellect and emotion

Although there is much discussed in Elizabeth Yakel's article "Museums, management, media, and memory: Lessons from the Enola Gay exhibition" her mention of attracting the audience both intellectually and emotionally is one that is addressed in multiple examples. The fine line between capturing this balance with integrity and caging it with a strong desire to insure shock or hype is small. While focus needs to be brought to the effort of appealing to the audience or patron on many fronts, there needs to be equal attention on monitoring unnecessary flashiness. Providing a checks and balances of criteria when operating with the public to convey or display information is sometimes unpleasant, but necessary.

Additionally, when this concept is applied to the fundamental elements of both archival and library institutions it touches upon the heart of what it means to be a part of an organization of information. Without the dual integration of intellect and emotion it becomes difficult to attract a multitude of patrons into learning repository institutions. However, as discussed throughout the article, there are some risks to the powerful combination of intellect and emotion. Thus, as Yakel suggests, it is important to stay true to this mission while maintaining a respectful distance from the political or controversial minefields that often come in sync with nurtured in this environment.

information close to home (mom and me)

How individuals value information and where they gather trusted information can say a great deal about them. While the academic community puts an emphasis on sources that are regulated and have a more obvious and believable path to follow if verification is needed, there is still a large part of the population who put more faith in sources closer to home. In the instance of Wayne Wiegand's mother, she felt more comfortable making a decision based on the comfortable advice and information provided by friends and her deceased husband. Without this comfort level and familiarity she found it difficult to go with a solution supplied by an impersonal data source. Wiegand brings up an important concept in his analysis of his mother's decision regarding her car and how the process of getting a car became an declaration of how she wanted to live her life and her process of aquiring trusted information.

Through this analysis, the consensus appears to be that there is not a simple answer to why an individual will choose one information source over another. However, there are more appropriate ways to approach the process of trying to identify what some of the factors may be. Without this attempt, those working in the information seeking industry will be putting themselves at a disadvantage by limiting the range of patrons and users they are willing to work with or respectfully try to understand. The message in this article is one that needs to be heard. Thankfully, the use of a personal relationship brings it closer to home.

Threat to our position: User Focus

How far do we go in revamping the library science professional structure? The article , Toward a User Centered Information Service, by Ruth C.T. Morris addresses this debate from the perspective of economic climate change and the alterations in the patron's mentality with respect to how they process and seek information. In order to get inside the user's head, it is essential to address the social changes directly influencing the library science profession from the 'user-centered' focus (2). As Morris suggests, the library science professional can benefit from becoming acquainted with the user's approach to information and how this approach impacts on the users understanding of the information systems utilized in the library setting. The wide range of this is discussed in two simple points. The user operating out of the traditional paradigm and the user not focusing withing this limitation regarding their total behavior (8).

The article was refreshing in many parts, however, I struggle with the idea that these two components are appropriate for the full analysis of the user. While broad, these criteria are almost too restrictive. For instance, there is almost an insistence that people either fit in the paradigm or they are so far from it that they don't even come close to conforming into the expectation.

The reference desk as a teaching station

Being engaged in the 'one-to-one' process when teaching in the reference atmosphere is a helpful way to integrate much needed teaching elements into the library science field. Without more positive and informative interaction during the reference process the library is at risk of limiting possible patrons through the destruction of the appropriate atmosphere that is needed when people are in a learning environment.

Elmborg's mention of learning to ask questions rather than always supplying answers hit home as I often have a difficult time remembering this when I am assisting a patron with a dilemma or concern. It is much easier to supply a solution that it is to teach an individual to navigate the path to find the solution on their own. Guiding these questions based on the student's methods and learning style is another important part of this process. Asking questions blindly is just as unhelpful as not asking any at all. Through the process of asking relevant questions, the librarian can show that they are making the best possible effort to assist those who are in need of their reference skills.