Part II: http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=dYT8bxIwnK0

Richard K. Johnson: Free our libraries!
http://www.blc.org/news/BLC_summit_white_paper_9-29-08.pdf

Excerpts:

The problem of commercial control is illustrated by the plight of public domain works.
These works belong to the public. They are, by intention, not copyright protected and
may be used by anyone for any purpose without asking permission. The public domain is
a rich resource and an essential foundation for the Internet public library. It includes
centuries of great literature and is a chronicle of civilization and learning.
Before the Internet, there was little argument over what people could do with public
domain works. They could do anything. But technology makes it possible to impose new
technical and contractual protections that can be applied willy-nilly to in-copyright and
public domain works alike. The lawyers and economists call this the “enclosure” of the
public domain and it looms large as the future of the Internet public library plays out.
FREE OUR LIBRARIES Page 2 of 4
For example, companies that are scanning library collections have required users to gain
online access to books solely via proprietary search engines. They also have prohibited
users from employing third-party computing tools such as screen readers for the visually
impaired or scholarly text analysis tools. In effect, they are securing and enforcing a
monopoly on the digital texts of works that are in the public domain. Of course, other
businesses might also scan a library’s collections, but this is a substantial undertaking
and, as a practical matter, isn’t apt to happen anytime soon. [...]

The Internet has given us a glimpse of what universal online access to library collections
could mean to people from all walks of life—how it could advance education, strengthen
economies, and improve lives. But if copyright exemptions and other public interests get
pushed aside, that breathtaking potential will never be realized.
No matter how hard they try, libraries and businesses may never find a suitable middle
ground where shareholders and the public interest are both winners in the commercial
digitization of library collections. We may awaken one day to find our digital heritage
has become private property instead of a public good.
To prevent that risk, we need new funding strategies, coordinated library action, and
forward-looking principles to guide us. It’s time to sort out the right roles and
responsibilities for companies, libraries, governments, and private funders and to get
about the work of building an Internet public library that puts the public first.

See also:
http://blog.bpl.org/brls/?p=141

http://posterityproject.blogspot.com/2008/09/bachelors-degree-in-archives-and-phd-in.html



Update: http://www.archivesnext.com/?p=196

SIR – The reports in the Western Mail (September 3) of the decision to sell a part of Cardiff Library’s collection of valuable early volumes, among them some of specific interest to Wales in the fields of historiography, cartography, topography and literature, is a matter of deep concern and dismay.

It is inconceivable that the capital city’s historic library should take such a course of action – in a city that is home to a renowned university that boasts a Nobel scholar, a major university teaching hospital, and a national museum; a city that not long ago sought the title of European City of Culture.

One cannot imagine a major library institution in Dublin, Edinburgh or London treating such treasures in its collections as disposable assets.

Clearly the people who took the decision to take this course of action are fully aware of the market price of the volumes but, alas, they seem to know little of their value.

They also seem to be unaware that their role is surely that of careful custodians of the collection and not irresponsible owners.

We, the undersigned, urge the executive committee of Cardiff council to take immediate steps to prevent this action which so impoverishes our capital and country’s cultural assets and so demeans the status of its major library institution.

Gwynedd O. Pierce

formerly of the School of History and Archaeology, Cardiff University and President of the Glamorgan History Society

EMERITUS PROFESSOR J GWYNFOR JONES

Formerly of the School of History & Archaeology, Cardiff University

EMERITUS PROFESSOR GLYN E JONES

Formerly of the School of Welsh, Cardiff University

WalesOnline

Two more letters protesting against the heritage destruction

"Dear SHARP-ists,

Some further information about Cardiff City Council's plan to sell off a
substantial part of the city library's special collections.

Initial BBC report: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7593883.stm

Further reports (from the Welsh media):

Local political support
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2008/09/05/minister-hits-out-
at-rare-books-sell-off-91466-21678538/
or http://tinyurl.com/62re3t

Academic support
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2008/09/09/academics-outraged
-by-council-s-book-sale-91466-21708520/
or http://tinyurl.com/5vbnhq

Negotiations with Cardiff University to hold collection were kept secret
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/education-news/2008/09/15/row-over-secrecy
-of-planned-rare-book-sell-off-91466-21817485/
or http://tinyurl.com/6punbz

How some of the money from the sale will be spent
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/cardiff-news/2008/09/10/libraries-go-self-
service-91466-21718471/
or http://tinyurl.com/5thgjb

A campaign group has been established (Sion Tudur, Peter Keelan, Andrew
Prescott, Helen Nicholson, David Skilton, Wyn James, Judi Loach, and Helen
Phillips) and a website is in preparation. In the meantime, Andrew
Prescott's blog provides fuller details of the campaign:

http://lampeterlibrary.blogspot.com/2008/09/cardiff-book-sale.html

Helen Phillips would be grateful if copies of any letters or e-mails sent to
the Council be forwarded to herself (PhillipsHE@cardiff.ac.uk) or Peter
Keelan (Keelanp@cardiff.ac.uk).

The Council cites the cost of maintaining the collections as its main reason
for sale but I understand from Helen that Cardiff University Library is
willing to house the collection. (See also the story of 15 September, cited
above.) The Council is also making making much of the collection's
apparently narrow 'readership': its own report claims that the books are
'unsuitable for use by anyone other than academics and specialists' and
'would only ever be used by a very narrow group of interested parties'.

Ian Gadd
--------------------------------
Dr Ian Gadd
School of English & Creative Studies
Bath Spa University
Newton Park
Bath BA2 9BN
i.gadd@bathspa.ac.uk / 01225-875455
(alternative e-mail: gadd_academic@yahoo.co.uk) "

From SHARP-L

WASHINGTON, D.C.---Heritage Emergency National Task Force resources help
archives, libraries, historic sites, museums, and the public cope with
damage from disasters. Please share the following resources with
colleagues affected by recent hurricanes, tropical storms, and
tornadoes.

Submit damage reports and find contact information for state cultural
and emergency management agencies at the Task Force Hurricanes and
Tropical Storms 2008
www.heritagepreservation.org/PROGRAMS/TFcurrent.html Web page. Each of
the following is available from this central resource page.

Expert advice for libraries, museums, and the public on rescuing
treasures from water damage is available as free streaming video.
Practical tips on safety, salvage priorities, and equipment help the
viewer get started on the rescue of photographs, books, documents, and
other valued items.

The award-winning Field Guide to Emergency Response and Emergency
Response and Salvage Wheel provide clear and practical advice on dealing
with disasters that affect cultural resources. An instructional DVD
accompanies the Field Guide. A rapid collections assessment form and
supply lists are available to download.

Guide to Navigating FEMA and SBA Disaster Aid for Cultural Institutions
(in print or online) leads cultural institutions through the process of
applying to FEMA and the Small Business Administration for assistance
after major disasters. All of the necessary forms are included.

Working with Emergency Responders: Tips for Cultural Institutions
(poster) provides practical advice on how to find and build
relationships with local emergency responders, what responders need to
know to better protect cultural institutions, and how to interact with
emergency response professionals before, during, and after an emergency.


Save Your Treasures the Right Way provides simple guidelines for the
public to help them salvage family photographs and other heirlooms.
Streaming video illustrates the guidelines. Both resources are ideal for
use online or in newspaper and newsletter articles.

Heritage Emergency National Task Force
The Task Force is a partnership of 40 national service organizations and
federal agencies created to protect cultural heritage from the damaging
effects of natural disasters and other emergencies. The Task Force was
founded in 1995 and is co-sponsored by Heritage Preservation and the
Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Heritage Preservation
For over 30 years, Heritage Preservation has been the national,
nonprofit advocate for the proper care of all cultural heritage-in
museums, libraries, homes, and town squares.