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

Introducing The Source

UC [California]-eLinks Direct Linking Usability Report (Note: PDF)

From the California Digital Library website

In the past, the research process began with two, distinct phases: discovery and access. After determining a topic, a researcher would enter the discovery phase, in which he or she would look through library catalogs and article indices to identify resources that might pertain to his or her research. The goal of the researcher during this access phase was to get a physical copy of the resource. The Internet and advancements in search engine technology and library information systems have made research easier in some ways and more difficult in others. The change that has the greatest implications for UC-eLinks – and for library services in general – is the collapsing of the discovery and access phases into a single workflow.


Measuring the Internet Economy - The ICT Development Index (Note: PDF)

From the International Telecommunication Union website

This report, published in 2009 by the ITU, compares developments in information and communication technologies (ICT) in 154 countries over a five-year period from 2002 to 2007. The Index combines 11 indicators into a single measure that can be used as a benchmarking tool globally, regionally and at the country level. These are related to ICT access, use and skills, such as households with a computer, the number of Internet users and literacy levels.


Australia: Internet access in public libraries survey 2008 (Note: PDF)

From the Australian Library and Information Association website

This report is a follow-up to similar survey reports in 2002 and 2005 and a more specialised report on internet filtering in 2007 and provides current information on how public library internet services are managed, delivered and used in responding libraries. This report of internet services in public libraries in Australia is made possible by the voluntary participation of a significant number of public libraries across Australia.


Economic analysis of literary publishing in Australia (Note: PDF)

From the Australia Council for the Arts website

This Australia Council-commissioned research report is a study of the economics of the Australian literary publishing sector. A priority area for the Australia Council is arts marketing and audience development to create a higher level of demand from arts consumers and to develop new audiences and readership. In turn, it is intended to help authors earn a living wage from their work. While there are reports into the nature of Australian publishing in general and the ABS provides statistics on the Australian publishing industry, there is very little specific data or information relating to literary publishing.


The Swinburne national technology and society monitor 2008 (Note: PDF)

From the Swinburne University of Technology website

The Swinburne National Technology and Society Monitor (SNTSM) provides an annual 'snapshot' of public perceptions of new technologies, science and technological change. The main findings include:
* Australians are comfortable with the rate of technological change in general, but the degree of comfort varies for specific technologies
* Australians trust scientific institutions and the non-commercial media for information about new technologies. They have little trust in government institutions, major companies or the churches. They have the least trust in the commercial media