Dear Friends,
The American Library Association (ALA), the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), and the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) announced this week that they will file an amicus brief pertaining to the pending Google Book Search settlement. ARL associate executive director Prue Adler told the LJ Academic Newswire.
The decision to file an amicus brief from the library community comes after significant discussion among library leaders. Perhaps, above all, it reveals the uneasy position libraries find themselves in as the Google settlement hurtles forward. Despite the potential implications for libraries and the public, the blunt instrument of an amicus brief may be the only formal voice libraries now have in the wide-ranging final settlement, one that could very well shape the future market for access to books.
In a statement issued after last week’s meeting, library leaders said their concerns revolved around five broad themes: access, privacy, intellectual freedom, equitable treatment, and terms of use. Those wishing to object to the settlement face a May 5, 2009, deadline, though Adler told the Newswire the library community’s amicus will be filed before that date. Source: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6640461.html?nid=2673&rid=reg_visitor_id&source=link
Thanking You, Dinesh
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Layoffs at Harvard College Library (HCL) - Skidding Economy Could Claim Books, Jobs
Dear Friends,
Layoffs at Harvard College Library (HCL) - Skidding Economy Could Claim Books, Jobs
This week article of "Harvard Crimson" indicated that layoffs were likely at the Harvard College Library (HCL), along with other belt-tightening measures. HCL spokesperson Beth Brainard confirmed for the LJ Academic Newswire that the nation’s wealthiest university, in an attempt to reduce its budget for next year by some $12 million, will realign services to streamline its operations, and will likely face staff cuts this spring. The Crimson reported the talk of job cuts comes after faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Michael D. Smith requested 10 to 15 percent reductions in department and center budgets for the fiscal year beginning in July.
In addition to streamlined operations, the Crimson reported that budget cuts will also mean the elimination of print subscriptions for online materials, fewer copies of books, and “reductions in binding, shelving, and storage” of materials. “A simple solution is not in front of us,” Cline told reporters. Layoffs are the very last thing we would like to do, but there seems to be no other way to achieve the budget savings we must reach.” Brainard told the Newswire that the cut is directly associated with the staggering loss of 30 percent of Harvard’s endowment. “Half of the library’s budget is funded by the endowment,” she noted. Source: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6640468.html Thanking You, Dinesh
Layoffs at Harvard College Library (HCL) - Skidding Economy Could Claim Books, Jobs
This week article of "Harvard Crimson" indicated that layoffs were likely at the Harvard College Library (HCL), along with other belt-tightening measures. HCL spokesperson Beth Brainard confirmed for the LJ Academic Newswire that the nation’s wealthiest university, in an attempt to reduce its budget for next year by some $12 million, will realign services to streamline its operations, and will likely face staff cuts this spring. The Crimson reported the talk of job cuts comes after faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Michael D. Smith requested 10 to 15 percent reductions in department and center budgets for the fiscal year beginning in July.
In addition to streamlined operations, the Crimson reported that budget cuts will also mean the elimination of print subscriptions for online materials, fewer copies of books, and “reductions in binding, shelving, and storage” of materials. “A simple solution is not in front of us,” Cline told reporters. Layoffs are the very last thing we would like to do, but there seems to be no other way to achieve the budget savings we must reach.” Brainard told the Newswire that the cut is directly associated with the staggering loss of 30 percent of Harvard’s endowment. “Half of the library’s budget is funded by the endowment,” she noted. Source: http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6640468.html Thanking You, Dinesh
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