Law Librarian Blog

The Battle to Define the Future of the Book in the Digital World

Interesting article from First Monday:

From the Abstract:

"Commercial publishing interests are presenting the future of the book in the digital world through the promotion of e-book reading appliances and software. Implicit in this is a very complex and problematic agenda that re-establishes the book as a digital cultural artifact within a context of intellectual property rights management enforced by hardware and software systems. With the convergence of different types of content into a common digital bit-stream, developments in industries such as music are establishing precedents that may define our view of digital books. At the same time we find scholars exploring the ways in which the digital medium can enhance the traditional communication functions of the printed work, moving far beyond literal translations of the pages of printed books into the digital world. This paper examines competing visions for the future of the book in the digital environment, with particular attention to questions about the social implications of controls over intellectual property, such as continuity of cultural memory."

[RJ]

The article covers:

• Hyped Machines, Hidden Agendas and Visions of the Future
• Defining Digital Books and E-book Readers
• Digital Books as Literal Translations of Printed Books
• New Content Genres: Reconceptualizing Books in a Digital World
• Converting Older Books to Digital Form: The Search for Critical Mass
• The Control of Digital Books: A Hidden Agenda with Massive Consequences
• Cautionary Tales from Other Content Industries
• Consumer Expectations and Technological Controls on Content
• The Global Marketplace: Rights Management, Control, and Censorship
• Books Are Not Music: Reframing the Debate About Control Over Content
• Restructuring the Publishing Value Chain and the Publishing Industry
• Assessing E-book Readers
• The Role of Standards
• A Brave New World for Readers
• The Uncertain Future of Digital Books in Libraries
• Continuity of Access and the Preservation of Our Intellectual Heritage
• Defining the Future of the Book

“MySpace Bill” Would Block Valuable Internet Content

New report from the Center for Democracy and Technology:

“A bill that would force schools and libraries to block access to online chat and social networking tools would violate the constitution and prevent many lower-income people from using valuable Internet tools, according to a new CDT analysis released today. The Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA) — often called the ‘MySpace Bill’ — would require schools and libraries to filter access to chat and social networking tools or lose their federal e-rate funding. Because chat and social networking are so deeply ingrained in Internet communications, and are a part of a great diversity of web sites, the legislation could force librarians to cordon off vast amounts of valuable Internet content. The bill would place the Federal Communications Commission in the untenable position of either ordering the blocking of all sites with chat capability, or engaging in a clearly unconstitutional process of picking which sites to block.”

[RJ]

Inside the Creative Industries : Copyright on the Ground

From the Institute for Public Policy Research:

"This paper sets out the tasks that lie ahead of policy makers charged with balancing the public benefits that can arise from the widespread circulation of a copyright work with the need to provide protection, incentive and reward to the owner of the copyright."

[RJ]

Openings: Research and Senior Research Services Librarians, Pepperdine

Pepperdine University School of Law Library is seeking outgoing, friendly, creative, customer service-oriented individuals for the positions of Research Services Librarian/Senior Research Services Librarian.

Job Duties:  As a member of the reference department team, the Research Services Librarian will provide outstanding service at the reference desk, and partner with law faculty and administrators to assist with in-depth research requests.  Assist with collection and database development to meet faculty research needs.  Develop online and print training materials, library pathfinders, and brochures.  Participate in library orientation programs, legal research workshops, and one-on-one training sessions throughout the year.  Act as liaison to student law reviews and assist with cite-checking and other research needs.  Contribute to content development of the library’s website and online newsletter.  Participate in first-year legal research instruction.  Supervise student research assistants.  Participate in regular evening and weekend reference rotation.  This position reports to the Associate Director for Library Services.

In addition to the duties listed above, applicants hired into the Senior Research Services position will also serve as mentor and trainer for newer librarians on the team. S/he will serve as primary coordinator in one of the following areas:  faculty research needs – direct faculty liaison program, assist with collection development and training; library publications and marketing – develop print and online materials such as pathfinders, library brochures, e-newsletters, and web content; teaching – coordinate first-year legal research classes, library orientation programs, legal research workshops, and one-on-one training sessions; electronic resources – coordinate the evaluation and selection of electronic resources, develop training and awareness programs for new resources.   

Qualifications:  Required:  M.L.S. or equivalent graduate degree from an ALA-accredited library school and a J.D. from an ABA-approved law school.  Thorough knowledge of legal bibliography and scholarly research, including online services and resources.  Experience in lecturing effectively in both large- and small-group settings.  Ability to respond creatively and quickly to research requests.  Must be self-motivated, and able to work independently as well as in a team environment.  This is a service-oriented position and the successful candidate must have the demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with all library users and staff, in a friendly, courteous, and professional fashion.  At least two years library or related experience strongly preferred.  Supervisory experience preferred.

Salary:  Commensurate with qualifications and experience.  Application by email is encouraged.

To Apply:  Both positions are available immediately, and will remain open until filled.  Please send a letter of application, resume, and the names of three references to Katie Kerr, Associate Director for Library Services, Pepperdine Law Library, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, CA  90263, or via email at Katie.kerr@pepperdine.edu.

About Us:  Pepperdine University, named “the most beautiful campus” in the nation by The Princeton Review in 2006, is situated on an 830-acre campus overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Malibu, California.  The School of Law has approximately 680 students, 36 full-time faculty, and 60 law school staff.  It provides a balanced curriculum, a scholarly faculty, an award-winning trial advocacy program, three law reviews, and an extensive clinical and externship program.  The School supports several distinct institutes and centers, including the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, the Institute for Law, Religion, and Ethics, and the Palmer Center for Entrepreneurship and the Law.  For more information about the School of Law, please see law.pepperdine.edu.  The Jerene Appleby Harnish Law Library is the focal point of the School of Law, containing over 375,000 volumes and volume equivalents.  The library houses three dedicated computer labs and is serviced by the law school’s wireless network.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law. Pepperdine is a private, medium-sized university, religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith.

The State of Working America

The Economic Policy Institute has released its advance edition of The State of Working America, 2006/2007. Prepared biennially since 1988, EPI's flagship publication sums up the problems and challenges facing American working families, presenting a wide variety of data on family incomes, taxes, wages, unemployment, wealth, and poverty — data that enables the book's authors to closely examine the impact of the economy on the living standards of the American people. The State of Working America 2006/2007 is an exhaustive reference work that will be welcomed by anyone eager for a comprehensive portrait of the economic well-being of the nation. Check out chapter by chapter fact sheets. [JH]

Quote It! On Labor

"Substantive rights and duties in the field of labor-management do not depend on verbal ritual reminiscent of medieval real property law." -- Associate Justice Robert H. Jackson, NLRB v. Rockaway News Co., 345 U.S. 71, 75 (1953).

When is Management Day?

Sure enough, today is Labor Day, the day we honor employees' struggle but, to echo what Gerry Skoning (Seyfarth Shaw) always asks today, when do we honor management?

Costly textbooks get a closer look

Interesting story from USA Today:

"Concerns over spiraling college textbook prices have prompted state legislators to introduce more than 40 bills and resolutions in 15 states this year.  And other states have looked into making textbooks more affordable, the National Association of College Stores says.  In June, Congress asked a federal advisory panel to "shed light on this issue." Hearings begin next month; a report is due in May.  A report last August by the Government Accountability Office said students could spend as much as $900 a year on new textbooks and supplies. It blames publishers for driving up costs by "bundling" workbooks or CD-ROMs and by making unnecessary updates."

[RJ]

Justice Dept. Will Not Use New Supreme Court Cases to Seek Reversal of Landmark Ruling

From the Chronicle of Higher Education:

"The Bush administration has said that two cases before the U.S. Supreme Court do not present it with the opportunity to overturn a landmark 2003 decision upholding affirmative action in college admissions. "

Check out the rest of the article (sub req). [JH]

Now Available as Searchable eBook from AskSam: NSA Eavesdropping Ruling

Another great resource from AskSam.com. [RJ]