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

Introducing The Source

Australia in the digital economy: the shift to the online environment (Note: PDF)

From the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) website

Online social networking continues to be a major driving force in the increasing intensity of online participation. During June 2010 alone, 8.7 million Australians accessed mainstream social networking sites such as Facebook and YouTube from home, spending in total more than 41.5 million hours on these sites. With big increases in the volume of data downloaded, time spent online and activities undertaken online, this report shows how Australians are embracing the digital economy. Over the past five years, the frequency of internet use in Australia has steadily increased to the point where 28% of people 14 years and over were estimated to be 'heavy' users (online more than 15 hours a week) in June 2010. A further 27% were considered medium users (between 7 and 15 hours a week) and 23% light users (up to 7 hours a week). Only 14% were deemed to be heavy users during June 2005.


E-books in Special Libraries: Final report of the Federal Reserve System Libraries’ Work Group on E-Books (Note: PDF)

From the Lexis Nexis Government Info Pro website

E-books are gaining popularity now, and we believe electronic reading devices will continue to take over traditional print markets. Digital publishing offers the opportunity to provide more interactive experiences and real-time updates from around the world. New technology offers opportunities for innovation in reading formats, which might alter our conception of the book altogether. We cannot make any solid predictions because the market is changing so rapidly and so many e-reading models exist. This evaluation is just the first step toward becoming aware of the changing publishing market. The future will certainly be exciting, as we see readers set the pace of reading and research for years to come.


Support services: What services do researchers need and use? (Note: PDF)

From the Research Information Network website

This collaborative research project was composed of two separate, but linked, analyses. It identifies and examines information-related support services throughout the lifecycle of the research process. The project’s goal was to discover researchers’ needs and desires in a small sample of UK and US universities and to identify the significant patterns, intersections, gaps and issues from researchers’ points of view, whatever the source of such services.
This study documents the nature and scope of research support services, providing examples of good practice, recommending areas where new practice might emerge, and identifying possible areas and scope for collaboration within and between institutions.


"Teens today don’t read books anymore”: A study of differences in interest and comprehension based on reading modalities

From the website of the The Journal of Research on Libraries and Young Adults

Are teens really not reading as much as they did in the past? Are teens reading, but in non-traditional formats that are under-reported? If surveys focus on book reading, what about teens who do all their reading online or in digital formats? What about teens who listen to audio-books? If questions are only concerned with literature, how are we counting the many people who read non-fiction, newspapers, magazines, and websites?


Linked Data tools: Semantic web for the masses

From the First Monday website

Semantic Web technologies have immense potential to transform the internet into a distributed reasoning machine that will not only execute extremely precise searches, but will also have the ability to analyse the data it finds to create new knowledge. This paper examines the state of Semantic Web (also known as Linked Data) tools and infrastructure to determine whether semantic technologies are sufficiently mature for non–expert use, and to identify some of the obstacles to global Linked Data implementation.



The Strongest Link: Libraries and Linked Data

From the D-Lib Magazine website

Since 1999 the W3C has been working on a set of Semantic Web standards that have the potential to revolutionise web search. Also known as Linked Data, the Machine-Readable Web, the Web of Data, or Web 3.0, the Semantic Web relies on highly structured metadata that allow computers to understand the relationships between objects. Semantic web standards are complex, and difficult to conceptualise, but they offer solutions to many of the issues that plague libraries, including precise web search, authority control, classification, data portability, and disambiguation. This article will outline some of the benefits that linked data could have for libraries, will discuss some of the non-technical obstacles that we face in moving forward, and will finally offer suggestions for practical ways in which libraries can participate in the development of the semantic web.

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

Introducing The Source

Cloud computing: Challenges and future directions (Note: PDF)

From the website of the Australian Institute of Criminology

This paper explains the various cloud architecture and usage models that exist and some of the benefits in using cloud services. It seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the emerging threat landscape created by cloud computing, with a view to identifying avenues for risk reduction. Three avenues for action are identified, in particular, the need for a culture of cyber-security to be created through the development of effective public-private partnerships; the need for Australia’s privacy regime to be reformed to deal with the issues created by cloud computing and the need for cyber-security researchers to find ways in which to mitigate existing and new security risks in the cloud computing environment.


Member states continue discussions on key copyright issues

From the WIPO website

WIPO’s top copyright negotiating body has continued discussions on limitations and exceptions to copyright law, as well as updating the rights of broadcasting organisations and the rights of performers in their audiovisual performances. The Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR), meeting from November 8-12, 2010, took stock of the status of discussions in each of these three key areas and agreed on a road map for future negotiations.


Digital cultural collections in an age of reuse and remixes

From the First Monday website

This paper explores the circumstances under which cultural institutions (CI) should seek to control non–commercial reuse of digital cultural works. It describes the results of a 2008 survey of CI professionals at U.S. archives, libraries and museums, which gathered data on motivations to control access to, and use of, digital collections, factors discouraging control, and levels of concern associated with different types of unauthorised reuse. The analysis presents three general themes that explain many of the CI motivations for control: “controlling descriptions and representations”; “legal risks and complexities”; and, “getting credit: fiscal and social costs and revenue.”


The digital divide in internet information searching: A double-hurdle model analysis of household data from Vermont

From the First Monday website

While most studies on the digital divide in the United States focus on disparities in access to computers and the internet, this study examines the digital divide in internet information searching. With data from 476 Vermont households surveyed in 2009, a double–hurdle model is used to identify the factors that impact the likelihood and frequency of using the internet for information searching. Empirical results suggest that there are significant disparities in both the likelihood and frequency of online information searching in Vermont and that these disparities are closely associated with several socio-economic and demographic factors such as education level, income, and age. Also, the impacts of some variables on the likelihood to use the internet to search for information are different from their impacts on the frequency of using the internet for information searching. These research findings are expected to be useful when developing programmes and policies for reducing the digital divide.


PDF/A: A viable addition to the preservation toolkit

From the website of D-Lib magazine

PDF/A, the archival version of the PDF file format, is an International Standards Organisation (ISO) vetted, open source tool that can be added to the librarian's and archivist's preservation toolkit. This article describes the format itself, the lessons learned as the authors investigated the tools readily available for creating PDF/A files and the design of the pilot to test implementation of the use of the format in the Ohio State University's repository, the Knowledge Bank. Further, we identify issues in conversion of diverse original formats; strategies for time-saving batch conversion; and considerations in deciding whether to attempt full or partial compliance with the standard.


Taming the metadata beast: ILOX

From the website of D-Lib magazine

We propose a framework for organising multiple metadata specifications in a container that can be handled as a whole. This framework, named Information for Learning Object eXchange (ILOX), is developed as part of the IMS Learning Object Discovery & Exchange (LODE) specification that aims to facilitate the discovery and retrieval of learning objects stored across more than one collection. While thus far ILOX has been demonstrated to resolve a number of challenges specific to the e-learning domain, it is a generic framework that can be profiled to organise metadata about any type of digital content.


The world in 2010 (Note: PDF)

From the ITU website

According to a report by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU):

• By the end of 2010, there will be an estimated 5.3 billion mobile cellular subscriptions worldwide, including 940 million subscriptions to 3G services
• Access to mobile networks is now available to 90% of the world population and 80% of the population living in rural areas
• People are moving rapidly from 2G to 3G platforms, in both developed and developing countries
• In 2010, 143 countries were offering 3G services commercially, compared to 95 in 2007
• Towards 4G: a number of countries have started to offer services at even higher broadband speeds, moving to next generation wireless platforms – they include Sweden, Norway, Ukraine and the United States
  

Trends in large-scale subject repositories

From the website of D-Lib magazine

Noting a lack of broad empirical studies on subject repositories, the authors investigate subject repository trends that reveal common practices despite their apparent isolated development. Data collected on year founded, subjects, software, content types, deposit policy, copyright policy, host, funding, and governance are analysed for the top ten most-populated subject repositories. Among them, several trends exist, such as a multi- and interdisciplinary scope, strong representation in the sciences and social sciences, use of open source repository software for newer repositories, acceptance of pre- and post-prints, moderated deposits, submitter responsibility for copyright, university library or departmental hosting, and discouraged withdrawal of materials. In addition, there is a loose correlation between repository size and age. Recognising the diversity of all subject repositories, the authors recommend that tools for assessment and evaluation be developed to guide subject repository management to best serve their respective communities.

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

Introducing The Source

UK copyright laws to be reviewed

From the BBC website

Britain's intellectual property laws are to be reviewed to "make them fit for the internet age", Prime Minister David Cameron has announced.


Searching with Tags: Do tags help users find things? (Note: PDF)

From the E-LIS website

This pilot study examines the question of whether tags can be useful in the process of information retrieval. Participants searched a social bookmarking tool specialising in academic articles (CiteULike) and an online journal database (Pubmed). Participant actions were captured using screen capture software and they were asked to describe their search process. Users did make use of tags in their search process, as a guide to searching and as hyperlinks to potentially useful articles. However, users also made use of controlled vocabularies in the journal database to locate useful search terms and of links to related articles supplied by the database.


A guide to using Web 2.0 in libraries (Note: PDF)

From the SLAINTE website

These guidelines are meant to highlight the potential of social media within library services and to encourage organisations to reassess restrictive practices regarding access.

The Mix and Mash competition is open!

www.mixandmash.org.nz


We're super excited that the Great NZ Remix & Mashup competition has officially started.

Cash, prizes and undying glory are up for grabs, including a $10,000 cash prize for the Supreme Mashup.

The competition has something for everyone: cartoon remixes, poetry, the poster for the great kiwi summer holiday, mobile apps, visualisation mashups, an open government data category, a newbie award and much much more.

There's a total prize pool of $30,000 in cash and prizes. You have until 30 November 2010 to get your entries in.

Everything you need to know is right here: www.mixandmash.org.nz

So what are you waiting for? Get making!

best of luck from the Mix and Mash team.

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

Introducing The Source


The Copyright Principles Project: Directions for reform (Note: PDF)

From the Berkeley Law website

Copyright law performs a number of important functions. It facilitates public access to knowledge and a wide range of uses of creative works of authorship, and, in so doing, it helps educate our populace, enrich our culture, and promote free speech, free expression, and democratic values. It provides opportunities for rights holders to recoup investments in creating and disseminating their works and to enjoy the fruits of whatever success arises from the public’s uses of their works. In the process, copyright also plays a role in regulating new technologies and services through which creative works may be accessed.
The Copyright Principles Project (CPP) has developed a set of 25 detailed recommendations for change in order "that copyright law can better be adapted to meet the challenges of the day in a way that is principled and balanced, and that would command respect from the public as well as from copyright owners."


Inspiring research, inspiring scholarship: The value and benefits of digitised resources for learning, teaching, research and enjoyment (Note: PDF)

From the JISC website

The opportunity to engage actively with British content that is educational, entertaining and deeply enlightening is not far away. Technology exists to drive forward a vision of intelligent environments that supply the right information to the right person at the right time. Paradoxically, what is missing is the depth of digitised content to make such technical developments more significant than mere playthings.
To achieve a Digital Britain that is digitally literate, educated and ready to exploit these new technologies, the treasure house of British content has to be digitised comprehensively. For the intelligent Digital Britain we need beautiful information, authentic data, validated content and a critical mass that will drive economic impact, research innovation and social benefits.
The next phases of activity for UK-wide digitisation must aim to both increase the wealth of content and to disperse this content to an even broader audience. Much has been achieved, but there are opportunities for much more impact, benefit and a greater return on investment if we continue to invest in the knowledge economy of Britain by digitising our astonishing cultural and scientific inheritance.


Electronic book and e-reader device report

From the National Association of College Stores (NACS) website

Over the past six months or so, there has been much attention given to electronic books and e-readers, particularly as to their use in higher education. To cut through the speculation, the National Association of College Stores (NACS) has organised a study to see exactly how much college students are accessing e-books and on what devices.
The survey found that only 13% of college students had purchased an electronic book of any kind during the previous three months. Of that percentage, slightly over half (56%) stated that the primary purpose of their e-book purchase was required course materials for class. The survey also confirmed a finding that 74% of college students preferred print over digital.
Overwhelmingly, students are reading e-books on a computer rather than a dedicated e-reading device. In fact, 92% of students indicate they currently do not own an e-reader, and of those, 59% said they don’t plan to purchase one in the next three months.


Measuring the Information Society, 2010 (Note: PDF)

From the ITU website

The 2010 edition of ‘Measuring the Information Society’ features the latest International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ICT Development Index (IDI), which captures the level of advancement of ICTs in more than 150 countries worldwide and compares progress made between 2002, 2007 and 2008. It also measures the global digital divide, examines how it has developed in recent years, and discusses the impact of ICTs on socio-economic development.
This new edition of the report highlights key trends at global, regional and national levels, showcasing top performers and identifying the main drivers of change. The report also examines the evolution of the digital divide between 2002 and 2008 and discusses price developments over the last year. The report shows that despite the recent economic downturn, the use of ICT services, such as mobile phones and the internet, has continued to grow worldwide. All 159 countries included in the IDI have improved their scores during the past year, confirming the ongoing diffusion of ICTs and the overall transition to a global information society. The top-ranking economies continue to be primarily high-income countries from the developed world but a number of developing countries have shown strong improvements


Building blocks of metadata: What can we learn from Lego™?

From the DCMI Publications website

The idea that metadata, particularly Dublin Core, could be usable as a Lego™-like construction kit has been a popular suggestion for over a decade. In this paper, we first explore what this metaphor originally meant – why the idea is so appealing, and what design lessons we might take from the idea. We take a look at how close we are today to that ideal, looking at examples of real-world metadata design projects, and suggest that at present the situation is often more analogous to a game of Tetris – that is, the construction kit is sometimes limited, time concerns are often an issue, and there is limited opportunity for creativity. We explore patterns of collaboration in existing projects, such as the Scholarly Works Application Profile development. Finally, we ask how what we know about the process of building a shared understanding and formalisation about a domain can help us come closer to the ideal of Dublin Core as an approachable puzzle-game or construction kit.


From records to streams: Merging library and publisher metadata

From the DCMI Publications website

This article announces the availability of a crosswalk between ONIX 2.1 and MARC 21 developed by OCLC and illustrates how it is used in the OCLC Metadata for Publishers project. To accomplish the goal of merging library and publisher metadata and anticipating the need to mine MARC records for other purposes, the design of the crosswalk, the corresponding software, and the application take records apart and process the fields individually, creating data streams that match the intended use of the ONIX standard and resemble the pre-Internet paradigm of Electronic Data Interchange, or EDI, for describing materials and tracking them through a supply chain. Though this design works well enough to support commercial-grade processes, problems arise with mappings between physical descriptions in the two standards, which need to be more rigorously modelled or closely aligned. Nevertheless, the RDA/ONIX Framework, which is reviewed here, promises to reduce this obstacle.