Libriaians: Growl Kick Bite...

[Moonliner]

Who can resist a good "fighting libriaians" story? I can't wait to see if it goes to a mud wrestling face off.


http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,...566717,00.html

[Name]

and in earlier news, more librarians fighting:

http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=0...tid=118&tid=98

[libraryvixen]

Originally Posted by Name

and in earlier news, more librarians fighting:

http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=0...tid=118&tid=98

Oh man... yet more library theft for cash!

A few years back, our library had a rash of thefts of first edition hardbacks. They were, of course, worn and a little nasty looking... so we think they went either on Ebay or a used bookstore. Our library stamps the hell out of the books with property stamps... so I wonder if they can be sold.

People steal many MANY things at our branch. Before the installation of the security tags and gates at our branch, the most popular "stolen subjects: astrology, witchcraft, sex books, and dream dictionaries. Many books with feet have been spotted with the Nolo law guides that discussed Doing Your Own Divorce, How to get Patents and Copyright, and the Landlord / Tenent rights.

It really stinks for a small library to lose stock due to theft because there are a lot of books that cannot be replaced. At least in our branch, sometimes we dont' have enough money to replace the copies.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

The OP story really is an important one.

Whoever controls the world media, controls the flow of the world. Readily accessible information is definitely going to affect how the world views things. The French are right in thinking that if Google uploads nothing but American English text, then it will diminish their own impact on the world.

I think that there isn't really a "fight" here, so to speak, more that it's the kind of competition that breeds excellence. Now both sides are going to work harder and faster to get this amazing amount of info up and running, and more people will be willing to help pay for it. It's good news all around.

At first glance I thought they were going to fight against digitization in general, and that would have been good for a laugh. Thankfully this is a far better circumstance.

[HTHBellcaptain]

Please keep in mind, I have no idea what I'm talking about. That said, I don't think that this is as big a problem as the European librarians may think it is. My guess is that Google is not trying to be imperialistic, but is just finding a starting point. Eventually it will all be online. Most computer users (with the exception of those using computer for porn downlods) want access to things that aren't easily accessible in other mediums. It will only be a matter of time before someone sitting in their home in Idaho would say, "Gee, I like to find out more aoubt French literature." The internet is like an information buffet. Each person has the opportunity to find what they want. If they can't find it, that gives someone like Google an opportunity to provide it and strengthen their place on the internet.

But once again, I firmly state that I don't know what I'm talking about. I could have missed the whole point that the Euro-brarians are making.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

HTH, you DO know what you're talking about. What you say makes sense. But the Euros do have some things to be "frightened" of.

Google has always nailed the "user friendly" aspect and has a worldwide name that people will go to as a default. (Warning, the following is a horribly general example.) "I need info on France, I'll just put "French History" in a Google search. Oh look, here's a link to a book on French History!" What if the books that Google tends to link to were all Ameri-centric, written by American authors? Many users simply aren't power searchers, and don't check the sources of the info they get.

Yes, eventually everything will be online, but will it be easy to find?

By making a big deal out of this, perhaps the Euro site will build a world-famous name of its own, and people will flock there for information as well. They will also attract quality web-development talent to make it user friendly.

[HTHBellcaptain]

That makes sense. I'm all for competition. It usually forces everyone to do their best.