Month: April 2009

“Name Authority Control in Institutional Repositories”

Dorothea Salo has self-archived "Name Authority Control in Institutional Repositories" in MINDS@UW.

Here's an excerpt:

Neither the standards nor the software underlying institutional repositories anticipated performing name authority control on widely disparate metadata from highly unreliable sources. Without it, though, both machines and humans are stymied in their efforts to access and aggregate information by author. Many organizations are awakening to the problems and possibilities of name authority control, but without better coordination, their efforts will only confuse matters further. Local heuristics-based name-disambiguation software may help those repository managers who can implement it. For the time being, however, most repository managers can only control their own name lists as best they can after deposit while they advocate for better systems and services.

Library IT Jobs: Web Management Librarian at University of Houston-Downtown

The University of Houston-Downtown Library is recruiting a Web Management Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

  • Analyzes customer's needs and creates content for the library website in collaboration with subject librarians;
  • Coordinates the implementation of library databases, proxy servers, and other web-based technologies;
  • Provides reference services and one-on-one instruction in use of library resources in person, through telephone, e-mail, chat and WebCT bulletin board system to a diverse clientele including students, faculty and other affiliated patrons;
  • Serves as subject librarian and faculty liaison, performing collection development through review, selection and marketing of library resources;
  • Provides library instruction in both classroom and online settings; and
  • All other duties as assigned.

CrossRef’s Geoffrey Bilder on Author Identifiers

Gobbledygook has interviewed CrossRef's Geoffrey Bilder about author identifiers.

Here's an excerpt:

Of course, lots of the same issues can be raised with CrossRef, right? What guarantees that CrossRef won’t become evil and co-opt all of our identities? This, of course is the big fear underlining the knee-jerk reaction against "centralized systems" in favor of "distributed systems". The problem with this, as I mentioned in the FriendFeed thread is that my personal and unfashionable observation is that "distributed" begets "centralized." For every distributed service created, we’ve then had to create a centralized service to make it useable again (ICANN, Google, Pirate Bay, CrossRef, DOAJ, ticTocs, WorldCat, etc.). This gets us back to square one and makes me think the real issue is- how do you make the centralized system that eventually emerges accountable? This is, of course, a social issue more than a technical issue and involves making sure that whatever entity emerges has clearly defined data portability policies and a "living will" that attempts to guarantee that the service can be run in perpetuity- even if by another organization. For the record, I don’t think adopting the slogan "don’t be evil" is enough ;).

Digital Library Jobs: Metadata Strategist at Minnesota

The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Campus Libraries are recruiting a Metadata Strategist.

Here's an excerpt from ad:

The metadata strategist is responsible for providing leadership, training, and project coordination and management for initiatives and projects in the application of metadata, and serves as the local authority for metadata standards. The position is responsible for providing expert counsel on decisions about data platforms, data model development, interoperability for enhanced discovery, and the development of new digital and metadata services. The metadata strategist collaborates closely with the Libraries Digital Library Development Lab, the Digital Collections Unit, other Libraries units, Technical Services leadership, and campus units outside the Libraries.

Draft Report on the Provision of Usage Data and Manuscript Procedures for Publishers and Repository Managers

The PEER (Publishing and the Ecology of European Research) project has released Draft Report on the Provision of Usage Data and Manuscript Procedures for Publishers and Repository Managers.

Here's an excerpt:

This draft report sets out specifications for deposit procedures for both publishers and authors, and the reporting in log files of subsequent usage. Since this report is presented in draft format, it is anticipated that such specification will be adjusted as a result of actual implementation experience. Until the ultimate formulation of specifications and guidelines is achieved, a support mechanism is envisaged to assist both publisher and repository communities to share the experience gained. . .

This report is designed to be preliminary investigation of the issues addressed herein. As such, it forms the basis for a common understanding of the expected outcomes of the PEER project, and it highlights the issues of concern that need to be monitored and evaluated in the final report. Significantly, it indicates workflows, procedures and best practices that will be explored towards the establishment of best practice shared by publisher and library communities to ensure the future of scholarly communication.

“Reality Bites: Periodicals Price Survey 2009”

Library Journal has published "Reality Bites: Periodicals Price Survey 2009."

Here's an excerpt:

As waves of grim economic news wash over state and federal governments here and abroad, libraries of all types and sizes are bracing for budget cuts the likes of which have not been seen in three generations. Unlike most financial crises, this one is ubiquitous, with all but a handful of states in the red and getting redder. Globally, the meltdown is playing havoc with currencies, and the cost of journals priced in currencies other than the pound, the euro, or the U.S. dollar have skyrocketed. Severe losses in endowment revenue, which in the past insulated materials budgets to a degree, have left even larger and wealthier libraries facing cuts.

A number of librarians expect the budget cuts to be permanent; others say funds will rebound, but the recovery will take years. Even if the recession is less severe than feared, experts say not to expect relief before 2012. In journals parlance, that’s three renewal cycles from now—more than enough to stress publishers without deep reserves. For an industry that is already in the throes of reinventing itself, this recession will hit hard.

DSpace 1.5.2 Stable Released

DSpace 1.5.2 Stable has been released.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

This release is primarily a bug fix release incorporating numerous bug fixes and enhancements.

We want to highlight the following additions:

  • SWORD module/version 1.3.1 supporting the sword standard version 1.3
  • cocoon upgraded to 2.2
  • fix for the UTF-8 issues with the XMLUI
  • new authentication methods: Hierarchical LDAP and Shibboleth
  • full update translations: German, Italian for both XMLUI and JSPUI and Ukrainian for JSPUI
  • new translations for 1.5.x: Greek and Thai
  • graceful resolver for urn in the item page for the JSPUI

“On the Communication of Scientific Results: The Full-Metadata Format”

Moritz Riede, Rico Schueppel, Kristian O. Sylvester-Hvid, et al. have self-archived "On the Communication of Scientific Results: The Full-Metadata Format" in arXiv.

Here's an excerpt:

In this paper, we introduce a scientific format for text-based data files, which facilitates storing and communicating tabular data sets. The so-called Full-Metadata Format builds on the widely used INI-standard and is based on four principles: readable self-documentation, flexible structure, fail-safe compatibility, and searchability. As a consequence, all metadata required to interpret the tabular data are stored in the same file, allowing for the automated generation of publication-ready tables and graphs and the semantic searchability of data file collections. The Full-Metadata Format is introduced on the basis of three comprehensive examples. The complete format and syntax is given in the appendix.

Library IT Jobs: Systems Librarian at Wake Forest

The Z. Smith Reynolds Library at Wake Forest University is recruiting a Systems Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad (choose "Click here to browse staff employment opportunities," "Search Postings," select "Systems Librarian" under "Job Title"):

The Systems Librarian will design and implement computer-based information systems for the library. Perform system analysis and application development to facilitate use of technology in library. Consults and collaborates with staff and faculty on library Information Technology initiatives. Provides support to faculty, staff and students on library-related systems, software, and hardware. Provide user instruction for students, faculty, and University community. Serves as the library liaison and subject specialist for departments as needed. This is a twelve month position, with Library Faculty status and rank, reporting to the Assistant Head, Technology Services.

ARL Releases Strategic Directions for the Federal Depository Library Program

The Association of Research Libraries has released Strategic Directions for the Federal Depository Library Program.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

The US Government Printing Office (GPO) is engaged in a strategic planning process regarding future directions for the FDLP. With GPO and the library community, the Depository Library Council to the Public Printer will be discussing the future needs and strategic vision of the FDLP at the upcoming Depository Library Council meeting in Tampa, Florida, beginning on April 20, 2009.

In support of the Depository Library Council’s request for community-wide input to the planning process, ARL has issued a white paper that notes:

the current FDLP strategic planning process should lead to a flexible, sustainable, reconfigured program that reflects the needs and interests of users of government information and participating libraries; embraces the digital networked environment; and importantly, encourages collaborative network-based services while ensuring a smooth and orderly transition to a new program framework. The underlying principles of the program should continue, in particular the long-standing principle of no-fee access to government information. The specifics of such a reconfigured program require more in-depth discussion. But such discussions cannot last another 20 years. The risk of missed opportunities and decreased viability is too high.

Digital Library Federation to Merge with Council on Library and Information Resources

On July 1, 2009, the Digital Library Federation will be merged into the Council on Library and Information Resources as one of its programs.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

With the merger, DLF's current members will become "charter sponsors" of the DLF program at CLIR. CLIR will hire a program officer to lead DLF initiatives. CLIR will continue to convene forums and will also convene special thematic sessions, with a goal of more in-depth exploration of collaborative activities.

A transition committee drawn from the CLIR and DLF boards will guide the initial stages of the merger; the DLF Board will also nominate two members to serve on the CLIR Board. The new members' terms will start in July; they will run for three years and are subject to renewal. . . .

In recommending the merger, the Review Committee cited a maturing of the digital landscape, as well as the economic efficiencies of consolidating the two organizations and the potential added value of leveraging the programmatic strengths of each.

Bill Would Prohibit Internet Use Caps: Congressman Eric Massa to Introduce “Broadband Internet Fairness Act”

Congressman Eric Massa (D-NY) has announced that he will introduce the "Broadband Internet Fairness Act," which would prohibit Internet use caps.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

The Massa Broadband Internet Fairness Act would prohibit unfair tiered price structures from internet providers. The bill will also address the importance of helping broadband providers create jobs and increase their bandwidth while increasing competition in areas currently served by only one provider.

"I am taking a leadership position on this issue because of all the phone calls, emails and faxes I've received from my district and all over the country," said Congressman Eric Massa. "Time Warner has announced an ill-conceived plan to charge residential and business broadband fees based on the amount of data they download. They have yet to explain how increased internet usage increases their costs." . . .

In the past week, there has been a significant uproar in the Rochester, NY area regarding Time Warner's announcement that they will "test market" a plan to charge customers based on how much they download. The initial proposal was to introduce a 5, 10, 20, or 40 gb/month downloading cap. If customers went over the cap, they would start mounting additional fees.

Then today Time Warner announced a new tiered plan similar to the previous one. However, for a consumer to receive the same unlimited internet that they currently do for around $40 per month, they would be billed $150 per month under the new plan.

Read more about it at "Congressman: There Should Be a Law against Internet Caps!" and "Time Warner Faces Backlash on Broadband Caps."

Indiana University Digital Library Program Releases IN Harmony Sheet Music Cataloging Tool

The Indiana University Digital Library Program has released the IN Harmony Sheet Music Cataloging Tool.

Here's an excerpt from the tool's page:

The IN Harmony Sheet Music Cataloging Tool is an open source tool developed by the Indiana University Digital Library Program with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as part of the IN Harmony: Sheet Music From Indiana project. This tool has been designed to assist libraries, archives, museums, and individual collectors describe their sheet music collections in a robust and standards-based way. This is a production system of the Indiana University Digital Library Program and was used to catalog more than 10,000 pieces of sheet music for the IN Harmony project.

The tool collects descriptive metadata about sheet music and exports it in the MODS, simple Dublin Core, and OAI-PMH Static Repository formats.

Harvard Office for Scholarly Communication and the American Physical Society Agree on Open Access Arrangements

The Harvard Office for Scholarly Communication and the American Physical Society have come to an agreement about how to implement Harvard's open access policies for articles published by Harvard authors.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

As a result of the new agreement, APS recognizes Harvard's open access license and will not require copyright agreement addenda or waivers, in exchange for Harvard's clarification of its intended use of the license. In general terms, in exercising its license under the open access policies, Harvard will not use a facsimile of the published version without permission of the publisher, will not charge for the display or distribution of those articles, and will provide an online link to the publisher's definitive version of the articles where possible. The agreement does not restrict fair use of the articles in any way.

According to Professor Bertrand I. Halperin, Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in the Harvard Physics Department and Chair of the 2008 Publications Oversight Committee of the American Physical Society, "Harvard’s open access legislation was always consistent in spirit with the aims of the APS publication policies, but there were differences in detail that would have required faculty members to request a waiver for every article published in an APS journal. It is a credit both to Harvard and to APS that these differences have been worked out. Since APS journals include, arguably, the most important journals in the field of physics, the fact that faculty will now be able to continue publishing in APS journals without seeking a waiver from Harvard’s policies will strengthen both Harvard and the goal of promoting open access to scholarly publications worldwide."

Library IT Jobs: Library Technology Services Leader at North Carolina State

The North Carolina State University Libraries are recruiting a Library Technology Services Leader.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Library Technology Services Leader provides direction for the library's technology service program, including customer service, technology planning, and resource administration. She or he supervises five IT staff members and manages a program supporting a full range of library IT services including cross-platform desktop hardware and software, network services, multimedia technologies, IT training, and small- to medium-scale application development of library technologies. The incumbent develops and implements customer service agreements with library departments. She or he works closely with the staff of the Learning Commons and the campus Office of Information Technology on development and management of patron computing services throughout the Libraries. Position responsibilities include researching leading edge technologies and service innovations and integrating them into the library environment. The incumbent participates in library planning and serves on library-wide committees, task forces, and teams. NCSU librarians are expected to be active professionally and to contribute to developments in the field. Reports to the Head of Information Technology.

Digital Library Jobs: Scholarly Communication Librarian at Wake Forest

Wake Forest University's Z. Smith Reynolds Library is recruiting a Scholarly Communication Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad (choose "Click here to browse staff employment opportunities," "Search Postings," select "Librarian, Scholarly Communication" under "Job Title"):

Leads the Z. Smith Reynolds Library's Scholarly Communication initiative including outreach to faculty, administration of the University institutional repository, and oversight of issues relating to intellectual property rights and academic publishing. Provides user instruction for students, faculty, and University community. Serves as the library liaison and subject specialist for departments as needed. This is a twelve month position, with Library Faculty status and rank, reporting to the Head, Research, Instruction and Technology Services.

R&DTV: BBC Offers Digital Video Program Under Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial License

The BBC is offering a new digital video program called R&DTV under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial 2.0 Generic license

Here's an excerpt from the post:

We expect most people will just enjoy watching the videos, but if you want to explore or see footage which didn't make it into the cut for what ever reason, the asset bundle is your friend. The clips are mostly uncut & straight from our cameras and although this may be too much for most people, it makes great footage for those who want to remix and mashup our interviews with their own or others.

Read more about it at "BBC Airs, Releases Program under Creative Commons License."

Abby Smith Named Director of Virginia’s Scholarly Communication Institute

Abby Smith has been named the Director of the University of Virginia Library’s Scholarly Communication Institute

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

Karin Wittenborg, University Librarian, and Diane Parr Walker, Deputy University Librarian at the University of Virginia Library and Co-Principal Investigators of the Scholarly Communication Institute (SCI), announced today that Richard E. Lucier will step down as director of SCI, and that Abby Smith, currently senior advisor to SCI, will become Director, effective April 10, 2009. Bethany Nowviskie, currently SCI program associate, will become Associate Director.

Richard Lucier founded the Institute in 2003, together with Deanna Marcum, and under his leadership, SCI has worked to advance scholarly communication through annual summer Institutes and working with and advising Institute participants throughout the year. Lucier has actively advised SCI participants in the development of EthicShare, the Architecture Visual Resources Network (recently launched as SAHARA), and the Online Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians. . . .

Abby Smith is a historian and consulting analyst with special interest in the creation, preservation, and use of the cultural record in a variety of media; the impact of digital information technologies on cultural heritage institutions; and the evolving role of information as a public good. Formerly director of programs at the Council on Library and Information Resources, she has been with the Institute since its inception, and served as senior advisor since 2006: "I look forward to leading the Scholarly Communication Institute at this promising juncture in the evolution of the humanities, when scholars are embracing new technologies in imaginative ways to advance research and share it more broadly. Richard has set a clear course for SCI, focused on collaborative actions that serve scholarship broadly and change not just the work we do, but, just as importantly, the way that we work."

In addition to her role as associate director of SCI, Bethany Nowviskie is Director of Digital Research & Scholarship at the University of Virginia Library. She holds a doctoral degree in English from the University of Virginia and has taught courses in literature, bibliography, and new media aesthetics and design. Nowviskie has been active in the digital humanities since 1995.

National Academies Makes Over 9,000 Reports Freely Available on Google Book Search

The National Academies have made over 9,000 Reports freely available on Google Book Search.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

The National Academies today announced the completion of the first phase of a partnership with Google to digitize the library's collection of reports from 1863 to 1997, making them available—free, searchable, and in full text—through Google Book Search. The Academies plan to have their entire collection of nearly 11,000 reports digitized by 2011. . . .

Prior to this project, the Academies digitized more than 4,000 books and made them available online through the National Academies Press; most of those can also be found in Google Book Search. However, researchers who needed to gain access to hard copies of older reports, part of a legacy collection in the library, could not always find what they wanted. Many of these reports exist as single copies, and the library feared potential damage or loss of this important collection. These older reports have been digitized and are now accessible through Google. In addition, the "digitizing of these materials will add another dimension to the preservation of our reports," said Harriston. The Academies hope that wider availability of its reports will be of use to scientists in developing countries, who often rely on the Internet to gather information.

Library IT Jobs: Director of Resource Services/Information Technology at Boston Public

Boston Public Library is recruiting a Director of Resource Services/Information Technology.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Director reports to the Library President and is a member of the Library's Administrative Council. This position provides direction, oversight and management of the IT Division. A total of 14 FTE library staff work in the Division. The Director is responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of library services to the residents of Boston consistent with the Library's mission, goals, and services priorities. The Director will direct and oversee the implementation of the Library's technology plan and will participate in the development of the Library's long-term strategic planning initiative. The Director will foster a public service environment where the Central Library and branch libraries are true partners in delivery of online services to library users, as well as harness technology and staff creativity to deliver information services when and where the customer wants them. Other responsibilities include establishing performance benchmarks for projects and staff with a focus on employee engagement, fostering a positive work environment and developing operational efficiencies.

OCLC Research Releases Data Exchange Software for Museums

With support from a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, OCLC Research has released data exchange software for museums.

Here's an excerpt from the press release:

COBOAT software is now available under a fee-free license for the purpose of publishing a CDWA Lite repository of collections information. It is a metadata publishing tool developed by Cognitive Applications Inc. (Cogapp) that transfers information between databases (such as collections management systems) and different formats. As configured for this project, COBOAT allows museums to extract standards-based records in the Categories for the Descriptions of Works of Art (CDWA) Lite XML data format out of Gallery Systems TMS, a leading collection management system in the museum industry. Configuration files allow COBOAT to be adjusted for extraction from different vendor-based or homegrown database systems, or locally divergent implementations of the same collections management systems.

OAICat Museum 1.0, an Open Archives Initiative Protocol for Metadata Harvesting (OAI-PMH) data content provider supporting CDWA Lite XML, is also available. It allows museums to share the data extracted with COBOAT using OAI-PMH.

“Self-Archiving Journal Articles: A Case Study of Faculty Practice and Missed Opportunity”

Denise Troll Covey has published "Self-Archiving Journal Articles: A Case Study of Faculty Practice and Missed Opportunity" in the latest issue of portal: Libraries and the Academy (restricted access journal).

Here's the abstract:

Carnegie Mellon faculty Web pages and publisher policies were examined to understand self-archiving practice. The breadth of adoption and depth of commitment are not directly correlated within the disciplines. Determining when self-archiving has become a habit is difficult. The opportunity to self-archive far exceeds the practice, and much of what is self-archived is not aligned with publisher policy. Policy appears to influence neither the decision to self-archive nor the article version that is self-archived. Because of the potential legal ramifications, faculty must be convinced that copyright law and publisher policy are important and persuaded to act on that conviction.

Covey previously self-archived "Faculty Self-Archiving Practices: A Case Study" in Carnegie Mellon's Research Showcase.

Here's the abstract:

Faculty web pages were examined to learn about self-archiving practice at Carnegie Mellon. More faculty are self-archiving their work and more work is being self-archived than expected. However, the distribution of self-archiving activity across the disciplines is not as expected. More faculty self-archive journal articles than other publications, but more conference papers are self-archived than journal articles. Many faculty who self-archive have self-archived fewer than ten publications. A small number of faculty has self-archived most of the work that is available open access from faculty web pages. Significant differences in faculty behavior within departments cannot be explained by disciplinary culture.