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

Introducing The Source

The British Library’s Strategy, 2008–2011 (Note: PDF)

From the British Library website

When we published our 2005 – 2008 strategy we wanted to develop our specialist curatorial expertise along specifically disciplinary lines, alongside more traditional collection development criteria such as language, geography and format. We therefore began to focus more on the particular characteristics and needs of researchers according to discipline. We will continue this disciplinary focus by implementing our existing content strategy for Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences researchers, and also by developing a content strategy for Science, Technology and Medicine researchers, consulting key stakeholders as appropriate. Our content strategy focuses on the materials that we collect through purchase and those to which we connect via license or freely available web links. To address the growth in research that cuts across disciplines, we want to develop an interdisciplinary focus, which will facilitate research in areas ranging from lifelong well-being to migration and population change. We will review the research landscape to identify areas of interdisciplinary growth. We will also support and sustain collaborative cross-disciplinary research by building virtual research communities.Our new strategy builds on our 2005 – 2008 strategy and focuses on what we consider to be our most significant priorities going forward over the next three years. Other important activity, such as our innovative and distinctive range of public and learning programmes, our Business & IP Centre and our support for the UK library network will continue to form a part of our rich portfolio of service offerings.


Copyright as an instrument of information flow and dissemination: the case of ICE TV Pty Ltd v Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd (Note: PDF)

From the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) ePrints website

In October 2008, all seven justices of the High Court of Australia will hear an appeal against the Full Federal Court’s ruling that Ice TV infringed the Nine Network’s copyright in Nine’s weekly (television) program schedule (a compilation) by reproducing a substantial part of the schedule in Ice TV’s electronic program guide. The convening of all seven judges of the High Court is a rare occasion and reserved for cases of special significance. The outcome of this case may substantially determine the extent to which commercial information compilers control the use of non-expressive compilations. The underlying concern of many observers is that if substantial reproduction is said to result from appropriation of investment, and investment is said to be a legitimate simulacrum of expressive originality, most un-authorised copying of compiled information will constitute breach of copyright. The adverse social and economic consequences of so-called 'copyright in information' may be great.


Beyond literacy panics: digital literacy and educational optimism (Note: PDF)

From the University of Queensland website

Public debate over education has been beset in recent years by highly charged 'literacy wars' between conservatives and progressives, casting a pall of gloom over the direction of education generally. This article argues that the theme of 'digital literacy' has a potential to shift these debates, opening new possibilities for educational optimism. It draws attention first to the discipline involved in the use of digital media, challenging easy assumptions that such discipline belongs only to print; second, to cognitive processes over content or values, significantly altering the way we think about the social significance of media; and third, to the production end of media use, neatly sidestepping tired debates over media consumption.


Cross-cultural training and workplace performance (Note: PDF)

From the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) website

This national study confirms the value of cross-cultural training in developing the cultural competence needed by employees to work effectively with culturally diverse co-workers and customers. The 134 graduates surveyed rated their cross-cultural training highly, reporting improved workplace performance and cultural self-awareness, with most indicating they would like further cross-cultural training.


Forbidden Fruit: The Censorship of Literature and Information for Young People (Note: PDF - first 25 pages of the book)

Publication and purchase details available from the BrownWalker website

This collection of papers from the "Forbidden Fruit: The Censorship of Literature and Information for Young People"conference will be of interest to professionals involved in the provision of literature and information resources for young people, as well as to researchers and students. The proceedings draw together some of the latest research in this area from a number of fields, including librarianship, education, literature, and linguistics. Topics include translations and adaptations, pre-censorship by authors, publishers and editors, LGBT (lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and trans) materials, and the views of young people themselves.