The Age of Google Books

I’m inclined to agree with Octavio’s post siding with Google, which is now free to move ahead with its book digitization project. According to the Court of Appeals, whose decision was upheld by the US Supreme Court a few days ago (see 15-849, pg. 12), the Google Books project not only passes the fair use test, it is also “transformative” because it increases awareness of a book while offering only portions of the work for viewing online. In other words, an author’s work can be exposed to the millions and millions of Google users that author would not otherwise have had access to, but the scanned material would not be a substitute for entire book.

This case is relevant to us because of Google Books’ outreach to libraries. University libraries such as Stanford and Harvard are already adding their collections to Google’s Library Project. Plus Google gives the library the option to exclude titles from scanning. The company responds to its critics and plaintiffs by saying “We believe a tool that can open up the millions of pages in the world's books can help remove the barriers between people and information and benefit the publishing community at the same time.”  To me that sounds similar to one of the core values of a library, which is to give people access to information. I see it as a force for good.

Google Books Right to a 'Universal Library'

Recently showcased on Facebook’s trending feed were articles linked about Google Books win in the case against the corporation that had begun digitizing all books and building “[...]a universal library in 2004[...]”. The New York Times, journalist Stephen Heyman reported this last October, “In 2002, when Google began experimenting with book-scanning, it took 40 minutes to scan a 300-page book. Now, a scanning operator can digitize up to 6,000 pages in an hour, according to Maggie Shiels, a Google spokeswoman. In total, more than 25 million volumes have been scanned, including texts in 400 languages from more than 100 countries.” Many believed that these actions infringe upon uploaded books and the books’ rightful content creator’s rights. This threat has been declared justified under rule of law of the US appeals court. How is it that Google was able to accelerate their project at such high capacity and justify their case? The answer lies with in a great team of individuals working to advance Google’s presence, power, and level of access which is what it is in the business of supplying customers to in Google’s dominating presence in the information industry. It almost seems as if Google is tweaking the rules users are so familiar with just to fit their needs...and it is working.

  Works Cited 

Heyman, Stephen. "Google Books: A Complex and Controversial Experiment." New York Times
    29 Oct. 2015: NA(L). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 22 Apr. 2016.

Mobile Technology: Sweet Tweets From the MSU Library

One common thread running through the whole Library and Information Technology Program is the fact that libraries have always adapted to the times. This is what has kept libraries open and relevant. Adapting usually means exploiting current technology, including mobile.

In May 2012, the Montana State University Library brought together a social media group to determine how to utilize social media in their work. Librarians Scott Young and Doralynn Rossman, authors of the linked article that describes the project and its results, worked from a theory called digital dualism, which rejects the notion of a division between the online and offline world. Because they found that most social media used by libraries consisted of “broadcast-based promotion and marketing” (21), they decided to test its effectiveness in community-building efforts instead, and to build a “community of student participants” (22).  

The experiment consisted of assigned to post tweets and interact with users through Twitter in a “welcoming, warm, energetic” tone. Instead of promoting events in an impersonal tone, new tweets had personality and invited interaction:

The result? A 366% increase in student users. Take a look at this chart:

I imagine that no data resulting from the project and its assessment was as rewarding to the Library as the following exchange:

The librarian essentially took the Ask-A-Librarian function off the library website and took it to the students where they were. The revamped Twitter presence casts a new revitalized modern image of the library. Projects like the MSU Library’s make it clear that mobile technology most definitely has its place in our libraries.

MangoLanguages Assists and Advances Lives of Users

The library wishes to meet all members of the community’s needs and in order to reach the minds of individuals and provide everyone with equal opportunities to learn. This idea of supplying Americans who are disabled with equal accessibility might seem costly but is truly making a difference in the lives of the people who are benefiting from the library’s support in these areas. Some of my peers have mentioned areas of interest in how these supportive applications can improve the lives of disabled patrons but assistive technologies have created a growing and competitive industry like any other, appealing to users of any an all backgrounds. Why limit a learning experience to the standard format of audio lectures or visual presentations when there are many newly developed softwares designed for all ages, available in almost any imaginable subject. One of the many great assistive technology applications that local San Diego County Library patrons are offered accessed through their online account is the access to online practice guides to over the mobile app or the webpage, Mango Languages.

This resource gives patrons the ability to practice 17 different popular languages to choose from. This accessibility attempts to bridge a gap between these barriers that sometimes keep our community members apart. The simple idea of the way we speak may not be a daily set back in the typical American who has grown up with constant exposure to the English language. However, once an individual is put into a situation where the words spoken around them are entirely foreign, they may not completely grasp the importance of literacy. However the at SDCLs, they are dedicated to advancing the literacy skills of all levels. Promoting bilingual abilities is a very advanced skill set to possess and the library is truly using technology’s advanced capabilities to reach and change lives this way. Find MangoLanguages under the Research & Articles tab under the Homework Resource section.

Library of Congress - National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

If someone with disabilities is in need of assistance and is unsure where to start researching they can visit the official site of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). The site provides information of library services such as equipment to read, to listen and where they can find these services.  If you are unsure of what services your local library offers, you can input your location details and you will be provided all that information.

The NLS does circulate some items on their own, but only to eligible users.  They do have an application one must fill out to qualify.  If someone does qualify they can receive the items to borrow at no charge, so in some cases people may not even have to leave the house to use some of the offered assistive technology. One thing that I found very interesting offered by the NLS is "overseas services." If you are a United States citizen, but are currently out of country, you can still benefit from these services!! This process does take a bit longer, but it is such an amazing service.

Those who work in libraries truly do want to do all they can for the public, including those who may require some additional help.  As I have seen with all posts on this blog, libraries and staff have come a long way.  They do what they can to offer FREE services that only benefit lives.  For people who have disabilities, they just need the right information so they can take advantage of all that is offered to them.  One thing I have learned, by visiting various library websites, is that information regarding disability services is not always evident.  Library websites need to have an area that is clearly marked, so users do not have to go searching high and low to see what the library can offer to them.


If you would like to see more information regarding assistive technology, please visit the official page of the NLS provided by the Library of Congress http://www.loc.gov/nls/

Library Outreach via Social Media and Mobile Devices

In a world full of mobile devices, the library as an institution is discovering that such technology is manufactured at an increasingly fast rate. Users don’t just want mobile devices they want the latest and the hottest technologies on the market. They are willing to spend up to a month’s rent (sometimes more) on iPhones and other unique popular gadgets.

So how is the library keeping up with users and making sure every customer remembers that their library is available to supply quality resources to community members they try to outreach? It will be required for staff to go beyond the actual library’s location in order to meet each user's standards of accessibility.

Can local libraries compete with the smart phone’s instantaneous connection? In order to remain memorable libraries must keep up with the times and update social networks, adapt to text messaging, and connect with users regular updates. All libraries should be willing to market themselves in the virtual platform. This direct manner immediately connects social network users with the library.

OPACs should be fully functional on mobile devices because this idea of instantaneous gratification is heavily present within the WiFi generation. Such users are very familiar with the idea behind demanding instant access but they may not be as familiar with the concept of how these materials or information are supplied and provided to them. Chances are this idea is of little interest to the average patron but they may begin to take notice of how developed their library’s collection is if they come across materials that check out virtually.

A library’s mission, vision, and goals all work toward inspiring their community of users and connecting them through smart apps or a simple automated mailing list that connects users with approaching due dates and events.

Social networks great way to get the community to recognize and remember that the library is a great resource that can connect them to many worlds; whether they are virtual, through the power of the written word, or even in real time.

At my local public library, the SDCL Lakeside branch, a contest is currently open to submissions on their https://www.instagram.com/ under the hastag #lovemylakesidelibrary. (See further information regarding this contest below). This is merely one example how the library has tried to keep the younger generations interested in their services.

It's Library Month everyone! Follow us and use the #lovemylakesidelibrary and #iloveSDCL, we will be choosing the winners on May 5th. The more pictures you post with our hashtag, the better your chance! Also check out SDCL's main page (they are tagged above ^).

A photo posted by Lakeside Library (@lakeside_library) on Apr 14, 2016 at 1:57pm PDT