Month: February 2013

Fair Access to Science and Technology Research Bill Introduced

The Fair Access to Science and Technology Research bill has been introduced in the House and the Senate.

Here's an excerpt from Peter Suber's analysis how the bill compares to the Federal Research Public Access Act :

Here's how FASTR differs from FRPAA:

  • FASTR contains a provision on coordinating agency policies (4.a 2): "To the extent practicable, Federal agencies required to develop a policy…shall follow common procedures for the collection and depositing of research papers." This will reduce the burden on universities that need to comply with procedures at all the covered agencies, and should have no detrimental effect on OA. Indeed, it should improve compliance with agency OA policies.
  • FASTR contains three provisions calling for libre OA or open licensing:
    • FASTR includes a new "finding" in its preamble (2.3): "the United States has a substantial interest in maximizing the impact and utility of the research it funds by enabling a wide range of reuses of the peer-reviewed literature that reports the results of such research, including by enabling computational analysis by state-of-the-art technologies."
    • FASTR includes a formatting and licensing provision (4.b.5): the versions deposited in repositories and made OA shall be distributed "in formats and under terms that enable productive reuse, including computational analysis by state-of-the-art technologies."
    • FASTR requires that the annual report from each covered agency include a statement from the agency on "whether the terms of use applicable to such research papers are effective in enabling productive reuse and computational analysis by state-of-the-art technologies" (4.f.2.B.i) and the results of the agency's "examination of whether such research papers should include a royalty-free copyright license that is available to the public and that permits the reuse of those research papers, on the condition that attribution is given to the author or authors of the research and any others designated by the copyright owner" (4.f.2.B.ii).

The Alliance for Taxpayer Access has issued a call to action to support the bill.

| Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography (paperback, PDF file, and XHTML website; over 1,100 entries) | Digital Scholarship |

Research & Development Technology Librarian at Texas Tech University Libraries

Texas Tech University Libraries are recruiting a Research & Development Technology Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

As a member of the LTMS (Library Technology Management and Services) Research and Development Team, this tenure-track Library faculty position focuses on highly innovative library-technology-oriented assessment and other research with emphasis on projects involving programming or other software development; outreach, marketing, development activities and initiatives; and works closely with other LTMS staff, library faculty and staff, the TTU community (especially the Computer Science, Engineering, etc. departments), other academic institutions, and other partners in a variety of collaborative ways.

| Digital Scholarship |

Assistant University Librarian for Resource Services and Technology at Portland State University Library

Portland State University Library is recruiting a Assistant University Librarian for Resource Services and Technology.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The AULRST provides leadership, vision, planning, budgeting, assessment, and management for resource services and technology functions within the scope of the Portland State and Library policies, procedures, and strategic plans. Resource Services includes six faculty and thirteen additional employees within the Acquisitions, Cataloging, Preservation, Collection Development, and Electronic & Continuing Resources units. Library Technologies includes a Manager and five employees and provides technical support for the Library's staff and to users of existing systems, plans and implements new and upgraded applications and digital services, and partners with the Office of Information Technology to strengthen the Library and campus information technology infrastructure and access.

| Digital Scholarship |

Current News: DigitalKoans Twitter Updates for 2/13/2013

| Digital Scholarship |

Presentations from the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee’s State of the Net Conference

The Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee has released presentations from the State of the Net conference.

Here's a description of the conference:

Attracting over 600 attendees annually, the State of the Net Conference provides unparalleled opportunities to network and engage on key policy issues. The State of the Net Conference is the largest information technology policy conference in the U.S. and the only one with over 50 percent Congressional staff and government policymakers in attendance. The State of the Net Conference is the only tech policy conference routinely recognized for its balanced blend of academics, consumer groups, industry and government.

Here's an example presentation: First Sale and No Resale: Could SCOTUS and the Internet Redefine Content Ownership? .

| Scholarly Electronic Publishing Weblog | Digital Scholarship |

The Library of Congress National Recording Preservation Plan

The Library of Congress has released the The Library of Congress National Recording Preservation Plan.

Here's an excerpt:

In the digital age, new technology offers great promise for preservation initiatives. Transitioning to digital audio preservation, however, has created significant technical, organizational, and funding challenges for those institutions responsible for preserving recorded sound history for future generations.

The National Recording Preservation Plan has been devised to provide a blueprint to “implement a comprehensive national sound recording preservation program,†as mandated in the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000. . . .

The National Recording Preservation Plan’s recommendations for implementing a coordinated preservation effort fall into four interrelated categories: preservation infrastructure, preservation strategies, access challenges, and long-term national strategies for preservation and access.

| Digital Curation Bibliography: Preservation and Stewardship of Scholarly Works (EPUB file, PDF file, paperback, and XHTML website; over 650 entries) | Digital Scholarship |

Shared ILS Librarian at Reed College Library

The Reed College Library is recruiting a Shared ILS Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

A full-time, 3-year limited duration position reporting to the library's director of collection services. Plans, organizes, and manages transition from the current Innovative Interfaces, Inc. integrated library system (ILS) to the new Ex Libris ILS to be shared by the libraries of the Orbis Cascade Alliance. Works with library staff to configure the system for optimal use by the library staff and the Reed community, prepare data for migration, and ensure optimal system performance.

| Digital Scholarship |

U.S. Public Libraries and BTOP [Broadband Technology Opportunities Program]

The American Library Association's Office for Information Technology Policy has released a draft of U.S. Public Libraries and BTOP. BTOP stands for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program.

Here's an excerpt:

Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded just over $4 billion to 233 Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) projects. . . .

This pre-publication report from the American Library Association presents state-level library projects underway across the country, and provides a broad (but not yet comprehensive) look at the library improvements and community impacts that are resulting from BTOP funding.

| Reviews of Digital Scholarship Publications | Digital Scholarship |

Systems Administrator at Kansas State University Libraries

The Kansas State University Libraries are recruiting a Systems Administrator.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Work will center on developing technical infrastructure on Linux/Solaris platform to support projects related to repository development, Web services, Scholarly publishing and content management systems.

| Digital Scholarship |

Research Data Management Survey: Report

Thomas Parsons, Shirley Grimshaw, and Laurian Williamson have self-archived Research Data Management Survey: Report in Nottingham ePrints.

Here's an excerpt:

The ADMIRe project is a JISC funded project designed to create a sustainable Research Data Management infrastructure at The University of Nottingham. . . .

As part of the requirements gathering phases, a survey was designed and disseminated to researchers across the University. This served multiple purposes:

  1. To baseline current RDM practices
  2. To gather the researcher's requirements for RDM
  3. Raise awareness for the prospective service and gauge interest levels for the proposed service.

| Research Data Curation Bibliography, Version 2 (XHTML website; over 200 entries) | Digital Scholarship |

Emerging Technologies Coordinator at Grand Valley State University Libraries

Grand Valley State University Libraries are recruiting an Emerging Technologies Coordinator.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

  • Explore future trends in evolving technologies and maintains awareness of current trends in the field.
  • Collaborate with departments to showcase technology achievements
  • Collaborates with the Digital Initiatives Librarian on emerging technology needs
  • Maintain close communication and knowledge of hybrid and online course development needs with Information Technology Instructional Design Specialists to research and provide technology solutions
  • Promotes, develops and supports the Library's technology-rich learning environments such as the Knowledge Market and Innovation Zone.
  • Provides and/or coordinates digital exhibits of emerging technologies

| Digital Scholarship |

National Digital Stewardship Alliance Glossary

The National Digital Stewardship Alliance has released the National Digital Stewardship Alliance Glossary.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

Glossaries are important. . . .

With that in mind, today we're announcing the release of a National Digital Stewardship Alliance glossary to support the work being done in the NDSA on the Levels of Preservation. The Levels of Preservation activity is working to provide basic digital preservation guidance on how an organization should prioritize its resource allocation. The NDSA glossary strives to provide a common language for NDSA members to communicate about the levels work and should also be useful as a general digital stewardship glossary.

| Digital Curation Resource Guide (XHTML website; over 200 resources) | Digital Scholarship |

Web & Digital Services Librarian at Queens College Library

The Queens College Library is recruiting a Web & Digital Services Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Web & Digital Services Librarian is responsible as point person and coordinator for leading the ongoing activities required to maintain useful, accessible and user-friendly delivery of the Queens College Libraries digital library services. The Web & Digital Services Librarian is responsible for design and delivery of a suite of library web sites and augmentative digital services which are reflective of current standards and best practices in academic library web site design, current pedagogical technologies and teaching and learning trends. The successful candidate reports to the Associate Librarian for Public Services and will be a member of a digital library team, working closely with the E-Resources Librarian, Library Systems Office staff and the campus and CUNY technology units' members.

| Digital Scholarship |

"Access and the Public Domain"

Randal C. Picker has self-archived "Access and the Public Domain" in SSRN.

Here's an excerpt:

Section I of the paper sketches out the emerging public domain. Section II considers three conceptual questions for structuring use of the public domain focusing on the extent to which the public domain should be viral; on whether we should insist that the public domain be accessed only through the original artifacts embodying it; and on whether private appropriability incentives for distribution of public domain scans match overall social interests. Section III turns to the tools for restricting use of the public domain, to copyright, contract, the DMCA and the CFAA. Each of these matters for access to the public domain and for competition over it. Section IV considers one narrow question regarding the relationship between copyright's deposit requirement and a truly public domain, while the last section briefly concludes the paper.

| Digital Scholarship Overview | Digital Scholarship |

Digital Preservation Manager at Yale University Library

The Yale University Library is recruiting a Digital Preservation Manager.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Reporting to the Director of Preservation, the Digital Preservation Manager (DPM) will develop a plan to ensure effective acquisition, description, preservation, security of and provision of access to all Yale Library digital components that must be preserved indefinitely. While reporting to the Director of Preservation, it is expected the DPM will work closely with and coordinate digital policies and procedures with Library IT and University ITS, and with Library departments/units that have born digital collection material, including but not limited to commercially produced e-resources, and significant digital surrogates of analog material.

| Digital Scholarship |

"Undergraduates’ Use of Social Media as Information Sources"

College & Research Libraries has released a preprint of "Undergraduates' Use of Social Media as Information Sources."

Here's an excerpt:

Focusing on undergraduate students, a survey was conducted to investigate the following: (1) which social media platforms are used as information sources, (2) what are the main reasons for using these social media platforms for information seeking, and (3) what kinds of actions are taken to evaluate the quality of the information gained from such sources. The study provides a snapshot of current trends in terms of the use of social media as information sources. It also sheds lights on the actions that the undergraduate students took to evaluate information from social media, including social networking and video sharing sites that have rarely been studied previously.

| Scholarly Electronic Publishing Bibliography 2010 ( paperback and PDF file; over 3,800 entries) | Digital Scholarship |

Associate Law Librarian for Digital Initiatives at Georgetown Law Library

The Georgetown Law Library is recruiting an Associate Law Librarian for Digital Initiatives.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The Associate Law Librarian for Digital Initiatives is responsible for the development, implementation, maintenance, and advancement of digital projects and collections at Georgetown Law Library.

| Digital Scholarship |

"Response to Library of Congress NOI on Orphan Works and Mass Digitization"

Denise Troll Covey has self-archived "Response to Library of Congress NOI on Orphan Works and Mass Digitization" in SelectedWorks.

Here's an excerpt:

Responding on behalf of Carnegie Mellon University, we appreciate the commitment of Congress and the U.S. Copyright Office to solving the orphan works problem and the opportunity to address the issues articulated in the Notice of Inquiry. As noted in the 2006 Report on Orphan Works, the orphan works problem is significant, pervasive, and thwarting the purpose of copyright.

Carnegie Mellon's response addresses the primary questions posed in the Notice of Inquiry. The discussion proceeds as follows:

  • Current state of play for solving the orphan works problem
  • Principles that should shape the solution
  • Proposal for a two-pronged solution that might be palatable at this time

| Digital Scholarship Overview | Digital Scholarship |

DigitalKoans Goes Mobile

DigitalKoans now has an easy-to-read interface for users of mobile web browsing devices, such as the iPhone, the iPod Touch, Android mobile phones, and BlackBerry OS6+ mobile devices. You can use the regular interface by touching “Off” on the “Mobile Theme” switch at the bottom of the screen (scroll to the last post on a multiple-post page).

| Digital Scholarship's Digital/Print Books | Digital Scholarship |

Current News: Twitter Updates for 2/10/2013

| Digital Scholarship |

Open Access: Presentations from the Academy of Social Sciences’ Implementing Finch Conference Published

The Academy of Social Sciences has released a Professional Briefings issue that contains the presentations from its two-day Implementing Finch conference.

Here's an excerpt:

Moving to the recommendations, Dame Janet wished to correct some misunderstandings. The main recommendation was for a mixed economy including both the 'author pays' and subscription models of publishing. The report did not recommend a rapid move to Gold open access ('author pays') and anticipated a mixed economy for the foreseeable future. However the report did recommend that the policy direction should be set towards Gold open access and envisaged the balance between the two models of publishing would shift over time.

| Transforming Scholarly Publishing through Open Access: A Bibliography (paperback, PDF file, and XHTML website; over 1,100 entries) | Digital Scholarship |

Web Applications Supervisor at Columbus Metropolitan Library

The Columbus Metropolitan Library is recruiting a Web Applications Supervisor.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Responsible for researching, designing and driving concepts that create digital prototypes, products, and user experiences that achieve the Library's digital strategy. With a high level of independence and accountability, this position works closely with all members of the Marketing Team to coordinate digital services efforts system-wide working with many Library departments and with external partners and peers as well. Aligns Information Technology developments with the Library's vision and strategic initiatives while ensuring services and products are architecturally sound and customer-centric.

| Digital Scholarship |

Design Data Librarian at Harvard’s Frances Loeb Library

Harvard's Frances Loeb Library is recruiting a Design Data Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

  • Reporting to the Librarian/Assistant Dean for Information Resources, this position oversees the gathering and management of data and content produced as a result of GSD courses, in all formats—geo-spatial, CAD formats, visual, and written documentation—through outreach to faculty, students, and specific GSD courses.
  • Working with the Collections and Outreach Librarian, Special Collections Librarian, Digital Resources Librarian, manages the data and content, developing strategies for archiving the data, and making it available again to the GSD for re-use.
  • Participates with other Loeb Library librarians in services of research and instruction, with a focus on born- digital GSD content, and the creation of digital content in various formats.

| Digital Scholarship |

NEH 2013 Preservation and Access Research and Development Grant Guidelines

The National Endowment for the Humanities has released its 2013 Preservation and Access Research and Development grant guidelines.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

The 2013 guidelines for Preservation and Access Research and Development grants are now available. You will also find sample project descriptions, sample narratives, and a list of frequently asked questions. The deadline for applications is May 1, 2013.

These grants support projects that address major challenges in preserving or providing access to humanities collections and resources. Challenges include the need to find better ways to preserve materials of critical importance to the nation's cultural heritage—from fragile artifacts and manuscripts to analog recordings and digital assets subject to technological obsolescence—and to develop advanced modes of searching, discovering, and using such materials.

| Digital Curation Bibliography: Preservation and Stewardship of Scholarly Works (EPUB file, PDF file, paperback, and XHTML website; over 650 entries) | Digital Scholarship |

Current News: Twitter Updates for 2/7/2013

| Digital Scholarship |