Metaboston

JFK's Overdue Library Book

JFK's overdue library book is finally being returned although it probably holds more interest as part of the Kennedy collection.

The Library of Congress book, "A. Lincoln" by Ross F. Lockridge, was found in Kennedy's pre-presidential papers. It has been listed as missing in the Library of Congress online catalog, and will be returned to its collection after the display.  "It has just always been assumed to have been one of his books," said library spokesman Tom McNaught, but the library recently learned "it had been checked out since he was a senator and he had just kept it."

At least it was about Lincoln and not something embarrassing.

Anti-DRM Protest at the Boston Public Library: Feb. 9 (1pm -3pm)

Defective by Design will be leading a protest against the Boston Public Library's acceptance of digitial rights management (DRM) systems on items in its collection.

"DefectiveByDesign.org will be taking action this Saturday at the Boston Public Library to demand that they remove DRM technology from their collection! We will be gathering outside the entrance at the main branch of the Boston Public Library (700 Boylston St., Boston MA 02116) from 1pm until 3pm on Saturday, February 9th, 2008.--

The Boston Public Library (BPL) has DRM on its ebooks, audio books, music, and videos. These DRM systems sit between you and the item and restrict how and for how long you can access the information. For example, they may shut off your access to an audio book after seven days or tell you that you can't move the book from your laptop computer to your desktop. This also means that library patrons will be forced to use certain proprietary operating systems to access library materials, because patrons have to use something that is compatible with the DRM chosen by the BPL.

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The BPL is funded by Massachusetts tax dollars and it is mandated by law to serve as the library of last recourse for the Commonwealth. [BPL president Ralph] Margolis's choice for bringing technology that locks digital ebooks and audio books was one that goes against the public's interests. We believe that the Trust is not acting in good accord with their legal mandate"

Boston Public Library to digitize government documents collection

The Boston Public Library will begin digitizing and making available online its collection of government records starting with documents relating to the House Committee on Un-American Activities:

"A digital library partnership, including two nonprofit organizations and the Boston Public Library, is preparing to begin making digital copies of the library's paper-based government documents collection, which will then be made available on the Internet.

The project, which will take two years and require the hand scanning of millions of pages of government hearings and related publications, will cost an estimated $6 million, according to the project's sponsors.

Boston Public Library librarians said they plan to begin by digitizing hearings by the House Committee on Un-American Activities from the 1950s, regularly sought by its patrons.

The project is being undertaken by Public.Resource.Org, a nonprofit group seeking to open public access to government records, and the Internet Archive, a San Francisco-based digital library."

It will be interesting to see how the demand for information spurred by projects like this will run up against the recent trend in the government toward increased secrecy.  Ideally projects like this will provide some of the necessary pushback as people/citizens become accustomed to ownership of information.