no love to the library in the post…

though some in the comments.  Lifehacker compiles a list of resources all having to do with books, books, and books.  from how to choose what to read next to building pieces of furniture from discarded books.  look to the post’s comments for library and librarian advocacy.  as always, useful stuff which allows me to forgive them for their oversight .

(photo by Sno-Isle Libraries)

posting by marin

George R. R. Martin’s “A Dance with Dragons”…

is postponed yet again.  we’ve removed the records for both the print and audiobook from the catalogue, as well as notified patrons.  Baker & Taylor lists the “new” publication date for this much delayed title for June 2010, but we’ll believe it when we see it.

for a funny take on waiting for the next in a series by a beloved author, check out Neil Gaiman’s snarky and so true post in response to a fan’s email on this very author.

posting by marin

don’t put words in my mouth

RIAA spokesman Jonathan Ramy was quoted all over the web last week as saying that, “DRM is dead”.  The following day, Mr. Ramy  denied making the statement and the website reporting it has issued a retraction.  It would be easy to ignore this as just more of that ‘DRM stuff’ but, it’s important that libraries follow developments like these for a couple reasons.

One, we offer digital materials, and our customers have to maneuver through all the DRM hoops that are the reality of how libraries  provide digital materials  now.  Our customers depend on us to be able to offer a basic explanation of DRM and, why it is required by publishers who allow libraries to distribute their materials.

Two, people are passionate on both sides of DRM, just look at the comments which follow the TorrentFreak post about how Lars Ulrich of Metallica feels about the band’s role in  the demise of Napster.  Imagine if people got this worked up over the copyright statement near all our copiers.

DRM is complicated, and the issues surrounding it are felt passionately by those involved, in other words the more you learn about DRM the more interesting it becomes.  Next time, you see DRM mentioned in an article headline, take a moment to read it, I think you’ll be glad you did.

posting by jim