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

Introducing The Source

Should copyright of academic works be abolished?

From the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University website

The conventional rationale for copyright of written works, that copyright is needed to foster their creation, is seemingly of limited applicability to the academic domain. For in a world without copyright of academic writing, academics would still benefit from publishing in the major way that they do now, namely, from gaining scholarly esteem.
Yet publishers would presumably have to impose fees on authors, because publishers would not be able to profit from reader charges. If these publication fees were borne by academics, their incentives to publish would be reduced. But if the publication fees were usually paid by universities or grantors, the motive of academics to publish would be unlikely to decrease (and could actually increase) – suggesting that ending academic copyright would be socially desirable in view of the broad benefits of a copyright-free world. If so, the demise of academic copyright should be achieved by a change in law, for the 'open access' movement that effectively seeks this objective without modification of the law faces fundamental difficulties.


The digital native - myth and reality

From the Scribd website

This paper offers a critical perspective on popular and political understandings of young people and digital technologies - characterised by notions of 'digital natives', the 'net generation' and other commonsense portrayals of expert young technology users. The paper considers the accuracy of such descriptions in reflecting young people's actual uses of digital technology and digital information, arguing that a misplaced technological and biological determinism underpins many current portrayals of children, young people and digital technology. Having presented a more realistic basis for approaching generational differences in technology use, the paper explores the functions and roles that information professionals (especially librarians, teachers and other information specialists) can be expected to play in supporting young people in the digital age.


An implosion of knowledge

From the Meanjin website

This articles argues that the privileging of access to data above its application means that the debate over whether libraries are in the book business or the information business is diverting us from the thought that they should be in the knowledge business, ‘business’ having become apposite once neo-liberals set the agenda. Knowledge is being redefined by the access that computer clusters offer to ever more bits. In the digital domain, ‘new’ is more often about devices than depth of comprehension.


Is There Such a Thing as Free Software? the Pros and Cons of Open-Source Software

From the Educause Quarterly website

* When open-source software is effectively evaluated, deployed and managed, it can serve as a viable alternative to proprietary software
* Open-source software doesn’t always save resources or money, but it has definite advantages in certain situations
* Open-source software is licensed, so any use comes with certain rights and obligations; non-compliance entails serious legal and financial risks
* To ensure your institution’s contributions to open-source software projects are in the institution’s best interests, engage key stakeholders and subject matter experts to establish appropriate guidelines



Digital Continuity Action Plan

From the Archives New Zealand Continuum website

The Digital Continuity Action Plan is a world first initiative, which will prevent important public records being lost and ensure today’s information is available tomorrow. Today most public information is created digitally, but the continuity of that digital information over time has become a real concern. To address this concern the plan has been developed as an all of public sector programme to assist and support agencies overcome issues with storing, accessing, using and reusing the digital information they produce.
Archives New Zealand will lead the implementation of the plan, along with our lead partner agencies, to provide support, advice and leadership on digital continuity issues. Archives New Zealand is mandated under the Public Records Act 2005 to support the public sector to better manage its record keeping and in turn ensure the accountability of government. The Plan is designed to support this responsibility and provide a platform for public sector agencies to act in a coordinated way to manage their digital information efficiently. The aim of the plan is to ensure that public sector resources are used more efficiently through collaboration by sharing ideas, expertise, and systems and by minimising duplication.