Year: 2014

Digital Curation News (2/5/2014) #digitalpreservation

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Digital Curatorial Assistant at New York Public Library

The New York Public Library is recruiting a Digital Curatorial Assistant.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

The successful candidate will work closely with the Library's curators, permissions office, attorneys, and collections strategy department to: (i) assist the Library in its efforts to make its myriad collections more broadly available to researchers and to the public and (ii) work with rights holders to obtain permission to place in-copyright items on NYPL's website.

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Perceptions 2013: An International Survey of Library Automation

Marshall Breeding has released Perceptions 2013: An International Survey of Library Automation.

Here's an excerpt :

This seventh annual Library Automation Perceptions Report provides evaluative ratings submitted by individuals representing over three thousand libraries from 53 countries describing experiences with 136 different automation products, including both proprietary and open source systems. The survey results include 730 narrative comments providing candid statements—both positive and negative—bout the products and companies involved or statements of intent regarding future automation plans. This report analyzes the results of the survey, presents a variety of statistical tables based on the data collected, and provides some initial observations. It aims to provide information to libraries as they evaluate their options for strategic technology products and to the organizations involved in providing these products and services as constructive criticism to help guide improvements.

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Digital Publishing Specialist at Virginia Tech Libraries

The Virginia Tech Libraries are recruiting a Digital Publishing Specialist.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Manages and supports the publishing operations, web presence, and other digital initiatives for the Center for Digital Research and Scholarship (CDRS). With knowledge of 21st century libraries, evaluates technologies and implements improvements for digital publishing and hosting services. Installs and tests open source software on the library's development server in order to train faculty, staff and students in the university community to use it effectively and efficiently. Creates documentation and training materials, and supports journal editors, conference organizers, and their staffs. Evaluates user satisfaction with CDRS services and resources, recommending changes and/or new services. Hires and supervises editing student assistants, maintains their desktop computers and software. Assists in supporting other departmental technology. Periodically gathers data and reports CDRS digital initiatives.

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"Guest Post: Charles Oppenheim on Who Owns the Rights to Scholarly Articles"

Charles Oppenheim has published "Guest Post: Charles Oppenheim on Who Owns the Rights to Scholarly Articles" in Open and Shut.

Here's an excerpt:

Posting D [draft article] on an OA repository is the so-called "Harnad-Oppenheim" solution, first proposed by Stevan Harnad and me more than 10 years ago.

When the solution was first enunciated, publishers dismissed it for two reasons: firstly, why would anyone want to read a draft when the final perfect version can be obtained via the publisher? And secondly, it would be difficult to track down a copy of D anyway. Their comments remain valid today, though the second one is not as strong because of services such as Google Scholar. But no publisher suggested that the solution was illegal because publishers owned the copyright to D, and they were right not to do so. The law is clear that I own the copyright in D. That is why I am so puzzled that some recent non-publisher commentators seem to think publishers own the copyright in D.

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Digital Curation News (2/4/2014) #digitalpreservation

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Digital Library Software Engineer at Harvard University IT Library Technology Services

The Harvard University IT Library Technology Services is recruiting a Digital Library Software Engineer.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

This is a one year, term-limited appointment.

Harvard University IT Library Technology Services is seeking a skilled java software developer to design and develop software for the Harvard Library Digital Repository Service. Supervised by the Technical Lead for the DRS, the Software Engineer will develop software tools for migrating metadata from an Oracle database describing digital objects to new METS XML representations, as well as web based tools for managing, monitoring, and reporting on migration progress. May also develop software for the core repository service. Developed software must be of high quality and reliability, supporting long term digital preservation and public access for critical library digital content that is accessed by thousands of users on a daily basis.

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"Last Sale? Libraries’ Rights in the Digital Age"

Jennifer Jenkins has published "Last Sale? Libraries' Rights in the Digital Age" in College & Research Libraries News.

Here's an excerpt:

What's the difference between a sale and license? Normally, the law is skeptical of limitations on transfers of property. Can Snickers say you merely "licensed" that candy bar because there was fine print on the label? A court would be unlikely to agree. Can libraries argue that though e-books come with "a license," the library is nevertheless an "owner" with first sale rights? The answer at the moment is "probably not."

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Information Systems Coordinator at University of Miami Libraries

The University of Miami Libraries are recruiting an Information Systems Coordinator.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Under the direction of the Director for Information Management and Systems, the Information Systems Coordinator provides creative leadership, management, and support for core library information systems and applications at the University of Miami Libraries to provide library access and discovery services.

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"The Open Internet Preservation Act"

Several Democratic Senators have introduced "The Open Internet Preservation Act" in the House.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

Today, Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Ct.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced S. 1981, "The Open Internet Preservation Act", with House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Henry A. Waxman (D-Calif.) and Communications and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) introducing companion legislation H.R. 3982, to protect consumers and innovation online. Last month, the D.C. Circuit struck down the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) Open Internet rules preventing broadband providers from blocking or discriminating against content online. The bill would restore these rules until the FCC takes new, final action in the Open Internet proceeding.

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Systems Developer/Engineer at Ohio State University Libraries

Ohio State University Libraries are recruiting a Systems Developer/Engineer.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

University Libraries are seeking an Applications Developer for the Applications Development & Support (AD&S) department in the Information Technology Division of the University Libraries. As a member of the AD&S team, the successful candidate will be responsible for designing, developing and managing innovative web-based applications that support, enhance, and extend the mission of The Ohio State University Libraries. With this goal in mind, the candidate will design, develop, implement, and test web applications, as a suite of products and services, for delivery via OSU Libraries public and private web sites, library catalog, and/or other web related systems that are in accord with industry best practices, the Libraries' and Ohio State's branding standards, and web accessibility guidelines.

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Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet Scope of Fair Use Hearing

The House Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet held a hearing on the scope of fair use on 1/28/14 (video).

Here's an excerpt from "Fair Use Takes Center Stage at Judiciary Committee Hearing": :

One area that got significant attention was the topic of mass digitization, which has been repeatedly determined by courts to be a fair and transformative use. Not only is it fair, but as Professor Peter Jaszi noted during the hearing it is also tremendously beneficial, enabling the indexing and searching of huge sets of works.

Several panelists, however, pointed to the legal status of mass digitization as evidence of "fair use creep," stressing its supposed lack of "transformative" quality over the other fair use considerations. That's a mistake. Mass digitization is absolutely the sort of thing fair use is supposed to enable. Fair use is a flexible doctrine, not a rigid list of exceptions, so that it can accommodate changes in practices or technology.

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Digital Archivist for Manuscript Collections at Ball State University Libraries

Ball State University Libraries are recruiting a Digital Archivist for Manuscript Collections.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Engage in acquisition, processing, preservation, digitization, promotion, and use of the unit's collections, programs, and services; contribute to the development, management, and promotion of the University Libraries' digital initiatives and transformation to a predominately digital environment.

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Open Science Win: Johnson & Johnson Clinical Trial Data Sharing Agreement

Johnson & Johnson has announced a clinical trial data sharing agreement with the Yale School of Medicine.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

Johnson & Johnson today announced that its subsidiary, Janssen Research and Development, LLC, has entered into a novel agreement with Yale School of Medicine's Open Data Access (YODA) Project that will extend its commitment to sharing clinical trials data to enhance public health and advance science and medicine. Under the agreement, YODA will serve as an independent body to review requests from investigators and physicians seeking access to anonymized clinical trials data from Janssen, the pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson, and make final decisions on data sharing. This is the first time any company has collaborated with a completely independent third party to review and make decisions regarding every request for clinical data.

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Digital Library Software Engineer at Stanford University Libraries

Stanford University Libraries are recruiting a Digital Library Software Engineer.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Software engineering for the Stanford Digital Library (60%)

Work with others on principally Ruby on Rails based applications and services incorporating a variety of custom and open-source software. . . .

Operations engineering (30%)

Promote robustness and sustainability by engineering for reliability and scale, from development through deployment. . . .

Community Engagement (10%)

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"Troubleshooting Public Data Archiving: Suggestions to Increase Participation"

Dominique G. Roche et al. have published "Troubleshooting Public Data Archiving: Suggestions to Increase Participation" in PLOS Biology.

Here's an excerpt:

An increasing number of publishers and funding agencies require public data archiving (PDA) in open-access databases. PDA has obvious group benefits for the scientific community, but many researchers are reluctant to share their data publicly because of real or perceived individual costs. Improving participation in PDA will require lowering costs and/or increasing benefits for primary data collectors. Small, simple changes can enhance existing measures to ensure that more scientific data are properly archived and made publicly available: (1) facilitate more flexible embargoes on archived data, (2) encourage communication between data generators and re-users, (3) disclose data re-use ethics, and (4) encourage increased recognition of publicly archived data.

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Website Administrator at Texas A&M University Libraries

Texas A&M University Libraries are recruiting a Website Administrator.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

This Website Administrator position is responsible for the overall management of the Texas A&M University Libraries' websites, both web pages and applications, acts as the primary contact point for units in the Libraries that need assistance or guidance in developing web pages or deploying new applications and provides consulting, technical support, and training to content managers and creators and to technical staff and supervises two Web and Information Designers.

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SJSU School of Library and Information Science Offers Digital Curation Post-Master’s Certificate

The San Jose State University School of Library and Information Science now offers a Digital Curation Post-Master's Certificate option.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

Students at the School of Library and Information Science at San José State University (SJSU) can now take courses that prepare them for a career in digital curation. The school recently added a new career pathway in digital curation for its Post-Master's Certificate program students. A similar career pathway will be available starting in fall 2014 for students enrolled in the school's Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) program.

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Digital Curation News (1/30/2014) #digitalpreservation

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Web Services Librarian at Utah State University Libraries

Utah State University Libraries are recruiting a Web Services Librarian.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

This 12-month, tenure-track, entry-level faculty position with rank of Assistant Librarian reports to the Director of Library Digital and Information Technology Services and is responsible for a broad range of services and duties related to the libraries' web presence and digital content and services. In addition to providing leadership and managing the content and design of the libraries' web services, this person will take a user-centered approach to guide the library in implementing new technologies to enhance our patrons' experiences.

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"It’s the Neoliberalism, Stupid: Why Instrumentalist Arguments for Open Access, Open Data, and Open Science Are Not Enough"

The Impact of Social Science has republished Eric Kansa's "It's the Neoliberalism, Stupid: Why Instrumentalist Arguments for Open Access, Open Data, and Open Science Are Not Enough."

Here's an excerpt:

Neoliberal universities primarily serve the needs of commerce. They need to churn out technically skilled human resources (made desperate for any work by high loads of debt) and easily monetized technical advancements. . . .

How can something so wonderful and right as "openness" further promote Neoliberalism? After all, aren't we the rebels blasting at the exhaust vents of Elsevier's Death Star? But in selling openness to the heads of foundations, businesses, governments and universities, we often end up adopting the tropes of Neoliberalism. As a tactic, that's perfectly reasonable. As a long-term strategy, I think it's doomed.

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Library Digital Archivist at Florida International University Libraries

Florida International University Libraries are recruiting a Library Digital Archivist.

Here's an excerpt from the ad:

Creates original descriptive metadata (in a variety of schemas) for internal tracking system as well as various digital library systems.

Publishes and preserves Electronic Thesis and Dissertations by performing file processing, metadata embedding, performing quality control, uploading to the Institutional Repository and the Florida Digital Archive, and act as liaison to the University Graduate School for issues related to ETDs.

Performs quality assurance checks on digitized material and metadata.

Utilizes digital library and institutional repository software to associate metadata with digital images, video and/or sound files for online display.

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Fixing the Broken Textbooks Market: How Students Respond to High Textbook Costs and Demand Alternatives

The U.S. PIRG Education Fund has released Fixing the Broken Textbooks Market: How Students Respond to High Textbook Costs and Demand Alternatives.

Here's an excerpt from the announcement:

Today, a survey released by the U.S. PIRG Education Fund shows that 65% of student consumers have opted out of buying a college textbook due to its high price, and of those students, 94% they suffer academically.

Over the past decade, college textbook prices have increased by 82%, or at three times the rate of inflation. . . .

Open textbooks are faculty-written and peer-reviewed like traditional textbooks, but they are published under an open license, meaning they are free online, free to download, and affordable in print. 82% of survey respondents said they would do significantly better in a course if the textbook were free online and a hard copy was optional, which is exactly how open textbooks work.

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