Banned Books

Banning books is a powerful tool with a full range of results. On one hand it can be very detrimental for those who could benefit from the information contained within, but on the other hand it can increase desirability to find the book through other means and read its contents. Based on the Harry Potter example provided in the presentation, there is a wide range of what people deem inappropriate. The claim that reading Harry Potter will increase the reader's desire to practice or learn about magic is not only dramatic, but a gross over action. Honestly, who cares if people get intrigued by a subject matter? Isn't that a good thing when done in a healthy way? Getting exited about a subject to the point where it increases reading is something that our society should encourage, not limit. If the criteria for what makes a good book is based solely on one limited group's opinion, I want no part of it and I will shout from the rafters, "I'll read what I want!"

Urban Public Libraries

The 'public-ness' of a library has evolved over time with relation to how the society in which it operates is functioning. Even today there are obvious discrepancies across the globe, but more specifically across the country that demonstrate this point. Depending on where a library is located, how public it is varies. Although on the surface a library that is technically open to the public may be advertised as such, there are often procedures that make it possible for library institutions to reduce the amount of foot traffic from worrisome patrons. The example that was most discussed was that of the homeless. Although I agree that there needs to be some safety procedures in place to account for a possible emergency situation, this can be argued with any demographic. People from all walks of life can be a potential threat and alienating homeless individuals does not solve the underlying problem of the gaping holes evident within many communities educational or social programs. Rather than ostracizing individuals, teach them.

One City One Book

One City One Book has the potential to provide wonderful opportunities for cities across the country. But, as those presenting this topic suggested, there are holes in the model that need to be adapted on a case by case basis. For example, while it was successful in Chicago, it was not as successful in New York. But is this statement even fully accurate? What the presentation made me remember is that success does not always appear in the way in which it was originally in tented. Although the original outcome of the project may have appeared more ideal in Chicago than New York, can't the fact that people made the attempt to integrate the program be measured as success in and of itself? Getting people to read is a powerful step and getting people to collaborate is another. If the end result is not in perfect sync with the One City One Book model, there is always room to try again and remake on the accomplishments that have been made for the greater good of reading, community, and awareness.

EBR - Electronic Book Reader

While I wouldn't go so far as to suggest that e-readers are good enough that we can get rid of regular/traditional books, I will say that they can provide a great deal of benefit. Granted, they are glitchy right now, but with improvement they can become a valuable asset that may appeal to a greater market of people. Right now, there are too many individuals who prefer the old-fashioned feel of a book and the 'perks' of the e-reader are not enough to give that up. Not to mention the hype and concern relating to those with disabilities and their access with e-reader devices. However, for those on the go and with little room to dedicate to a heavy volume of texts, e-readers all the way! Or not? As was discussed in the presentation of this topic, there is still much more that needs to be done to make e-readers as good as they can be. E-reader ink. Color vs. black and white. Screen lighting. Memory. Presentation. Interactive screen interface. More? I think so. Personally, I am going to hold out until the perfect model comes along, which may be awhile...possibly never.

witch-hunt

What happened to Ruth Brown was appropriately related to a 'witch-hunt within the book 'The Dismissal of Miss Ruth Brown. Although she had supporters and strong friends who stood by her side, those within her profession we not among them (77). Naomi Stocker Gordon, a former employee of Ruth's, became and advocate for Ruth Brown and her cause when she approached a New York lawyer and pleaded for him to take the case. Gordon became an example of what the library profession has now become. Fighting for the freedom of information and the protection of those who provide this information. However, the story of Ruth Brown goes even deeper than this by becoming symbolic of how an industry or a society greatly shapes how people react and what actions they take. Even in the discussion of Twentieth Century Fox and their reluctance to risk the wrath of HUAC there is further evidence of letting an injustice go untold rather than standing up the the powerful bullies on the corporate play ground. Ruth Brown's story provides great insight into not only a specific historical context, but into society itself.

who needs research? The future of the academic library

The future of the academic library is going digital. Traditional research methods are still employed as far as the requirement of credible sources, but now these very materials can often be accessed with the click of a mouse. The amount of preparation time for research has changed, but so has the type of preparation. Now, students need a computer to be part of the academic loop. Libraries are no longer limited to a paper card catalog in a large wooden cabinet in the corner. Resources are online and while original card catalogs still exist, they are outdated on multiple fronts. Many libraries no longer print cards for newer items and patrons rarely will use the card catalog to browse. Honestly, it takes too long. However, in this realm of fast paced information overload it is important for academic libraries to make sure they maintain the integrity of their sources. Yes the catalog and some journals are online, but don't forget about the good old fashioned book! There are benefits to reading on screen and off. The best student and the best academic library will provide both.

common..ity

Is using the library a privilege? As stated in 'The Library as Place,' the library has not always been public. The library, a once exclusive and limited facility in admittance, has evolved over time to fit the needs of its patrons. Thankfully, this has made libraries more of a center for educating those who decide to cross the threshold. Unfortunately, this does not always aid everyone who seeks the haven of library institutions. Individuals who have a limited education or resources may find it difficult to take full advantage of the all the services a library has to offer. This begs the question, are libraries still restrictive? Many would argue no, it's not. Rather it is a place for community where the individual entering becomes a part of something bigger, if only for a minute. But what if you can't enter under the identification of student, community member, house-wife, or businessman? Can a homeless person be a part of the larger library community? The community where all other identities fall away and everyone is just a member of the library...

public and property

What is a public space? This definition has evolved over time in response to what the public demands. Now, a public space is usually only public to those who adhere to a certain set of rules or fit a specific description. Often, these requirements are exclusive to individuals who do not have the means or the opportunity to fit into the necessary mold. Public places are often more private than we would like to think. It is not uncommon for public places to be surrounded by the heart of capitalism, which greatly limits those who cannot play the purchasing game. Libraries however do not follow this limited model of commerce. By offering a place for individuals to go and rent items, no money is necessary in the exchange. Just one catch. The 'show-your-address' policy makes it so that the individual in question can demonstrate a secure role in the community by paying rent or owning property. Ooops, forgot about that.

Oversight

The article 'Examining the role of web site information...' addresses the concern about the informative requirements of public information agencies under the dictates of democratic theory. That this is not clearly defined or expressed is not only concerning, but brings light to some of the flaws that exist in democracy. This leads to the age old question about how much of a role the government should have in the citizen's life and how much invovement the citizens should have in the goverments inner workings. When it comes to web site content, this question is further complicated by easy access and information overload. Web sites do not always follow the same rigid codes of authority and reliable content restrictions that published works undergo. Thus, it becomes difficult to monitor and put full faith into a method of delivery that may or may not always be secure. However, a web site is as reliable, secure, and trust worthy as the creator makes it. The examples provided in the article aid in this theory, specifically the reference to Utah's disease management and Colorado and Wisconsin's web site 'oversight' tendencies.

Provisions have been put into place to avoid instances where appropriate information is mixed up with a falsified counterpart. However, as the article 'Documents for Digital Democracy' points out, there are still organizations that do not always opperated with the filters put into place to make their information and public access attempts more secure. GPO's new content management system is an example of a source that agencies can go through to better and more responsibly publish their informaiton. The digitization process has both increased the opportunity for public access to information and hindered it. Whether through information overload and confusion about what is authentic and certain compnaies inappropriatly limiting the availablity of their digitized materials, there needs to be an active effort to insure information stays in the public domain.

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.