Why students need the right to copy

Late last year, leading publishing houses including Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press brought a copyright action against Delhi University and a tiny photocopy shop licensed by it, seeking to restrain them from supplying educational course packs to students. This lawsuit sent shock waves across the academic community, leading more than 300 authors and academics including famed Nobel laureate Professor Amartya Sen to protest this copyright aggression in an open letter to publishers. Tellingly, 33 of the authors of various books mentioned specifically in the lawsuit (as having been copied in the course packs) signed this protest letter making it clear that they were dissociating themselves from this unfortunate lawsuit.

For those not familiar with the term, course packs are compilations of limited excerpts from copyrighted books, put together painstakingly by faculty members in accordance with a carefully designed syllabus and teaching plan.

 

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National Library of Scotland recruits 'Wikipedian'

The National Library of Scotland has announced plans to recruit a full-time "Wikipedian". The £30,000-a-year pro rata role - a first for Scotland - will involve using the library's collections to update the online user-led encyclopaedia. The library said its "Wikipedian-in-residence" would also teach staff and the public how to add to the site.The "Wikipedian" would also play a crucial role in educating librarians about how to contribute to the site, as many had been "a bit bemused until now".

Read Full news at : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-22264118

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Pinterest Best Practice Tips for Brands

When it comes to social media, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ dominate the conversation. After all, they have large numbers of users and are still growing, thanks in part to innovations on each platform. Pinterest is growing fast. It is being adopted by brands, as well as users following these brands. Libraries too can involve themselves to promote their products and services using this social media...and already some of are in.  

Source:
Please read further on how its growing rapidly and best practices to be followed

Skills for Library Leadership

As higher education transforms and evolves in new ways in the years ahead, what are the appropriate skills for library leaders? Out of five skill areas identified as those leaders will need for 2020, librarians are well-suited for a few, but will need to gain expertise in others.

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The Future of Libraries

Graphic from Open-Site.org.

Libraries will find more space on social networking in 2013

Libraries will show more interest in the use of social networking sites to reach their customers in 2013. Some of the predictions are:

1. Libraries will increase their usage of pinterest. This is especially true for public libraries.
2. More libraries will create a presence on Google +. Many already have one but we will see the number of libraries who have on increase.
3. Libraries will increase their social media classes offerings. Offering more advanced classes on networking with social media and social media integration and they are getting popular.
4. Libraries will find more and better ways to engage with their followers on twitter and to increase their numbers of followers.
5. Libraries will focus more on how to help their patrons use social media for job searching and careers.
6. Libraries will become more of an education resource for patrons on how to properly use social media.
7. Google places will become more relevant and useful for libraries just like it is for other local businesses.
8. Library websites will integrate more social media.
9. More libraries will create mobile websites and focus on mobile applications. This also applies to database providers. While many of them have had mobile apps for a year or more, this is a trend that will by the end of this year apply to all of them.
10. Google chat will increase as a viable method for offering reference services.

 Thanks to Social Networking Librarian.