The Source: news about digital libraries and library innovations from around the web

Introducing The Source

Digital access: the impact of copyright on digitisation practices in Australian museums, galleries, libraries and archives

From the Social Science Research Network website

Empirical research into the digitisation of collections in Australian museums, galleries, libraries and archives suggests that copyright law affects what material is digitised and how it is made accessible. This article analyses digitisation within cultural institutions in light of the Digital Agenda reforms of 2000 and the Copyright Amendment Act 2006.


Who needs libraries? (streaming RealMedia audio)

From DavidRothman.net

As more and more information is available on-line, as Amazon rolls out new software that allows anyone to find any passage in any book, an important question becomes: Who needs libraries anymore? Why does anyone need four walls filled with paper between covers? Surprisingly, they still do and in this program Producer Richard Paul explores why; looking at how university libraries, school libraries and public libraries have adapted to the new information world. This program airs as part of our ongoing series on education and technology, and is funded in part by the U.S. Department of Education.


Networked Nation: Broadband in America, 2007 (Note: PDF)

From the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) website

This report highlights the dramatic growth of broadband in the United States. The report shows that the Administration’s technology, regulatory and fiscal policies have stimulated innovation and competition, and encouraged investment in the U.S. broadband market contributing to significantly increased accessibility of broadband services.Broadband technology is changing our lives, our economy, and our culture. By making it possible to access, use, and share information, news, and entertainment with ever increasing speed, broadband knits geographically-distant individuals and businesses more closely together, increases our productivity, and enriches our quality of life. In so doing, it fuels economic growth and job creation that, in turn, provide unparalleled new opportunities for our nation’s citizens.


Perceptions 2007: An International Survey of Library Automation

From the Library Technology Guides website

Keeping tabs on the world of library automation technology can be a difficult and confusing task, but for nearly two decades, Marshall Breeding has been methodically tracking both integrated library system (ILS) companies and individual ILS products. This month he published the results of a new survey, the first where he asked librarians how satisfied they are with their current ILS products, vendors, and support services and how likely they are to explore open source products.


Technology Predictions: Technology, Media and Telecommunications Trends 2008 (Note: PDF)

From the Deloitte website

Deloitte’s 2008 technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) predictions reveal that society is struggling with the “double-edged sword” of progress. As Canadians start to understand that change comes at a price, 2008 is anticipated to be “the best of times and the worst of times.” Further, what was just a single prediction in 2007 - “technology goes green” - has expanded so fully that one third of the 2008 forecasts are either influenced by or revolve around the environment.
2008 TECHNOLOGY predictions
- The rising value of digital protection
- From anonymity to authenticity
- How to manage talent when legacy becomes the future
- The flight to privacy
2008 MEDIA predictions
- Stop the presses - Online is moving (slowly) to the front page
- Overcoming online piracy may not mean the end of counterfeit content
- Time for music to get tangible again
2008 TELECOMMUNICATIONS predictions
- How to capitalize on the $10 mobile phone
- Giving mobile GPS direction
- Gray is good: the return on investment from making telecommunications accessible to all