Why we should pay attention to academic publishing

As we consider how knowledge is created and disseminated, and eventually organized in various ways, we should give some attention to scholarly and academic publishing. This has a big impact on how faculty in research institutions are compensated and otherwise rewarded. The open access movement has been working to make more information freely available, but the major academic publishers still hold a grip on the world of research. Much of this research is funded with public money, yet is still held within the copyright grasps of the major publishers. It is yet another way public funds are redirected into the hands of corporations, albeit indirectly. Give this article a read.

Monblot, George. "Academic Publishers Make Murdoch Look Like a Socialist." The Guardian. 29 Aug. 2011. Guardian News and Media Limited. 30 Aug. 2011. Web. < http://gu.com/p/3xgdn >

In Personal Data, a Fight for the Right to Be Forgotten - NYTimes.com

Do you think much about what information is tracked about you? Is there an "opt-out" option? Food for thought...
In Personal Data, a Fight for the Right to Be Forgotten - NYTimes.com

New issue of Associates available

The July 2011 issue of Associates: the Electronic Library Support Staff Journal is now available. Be sure to give LIT program student Brandon Hackbarth's essay, Joined at the Hip: Self-Censorship in Youth Collection Development and Public Service, a read. His essay is an edited version of his final project in LIBT 1200 Introduction to Technical information Services. Nice job, Brandon!

Eli Pariser: Beware online "filter bubbles" | Video on TED.com

When you search, are you really "searching?"

Eli Pariser: Beware online "filter bubbles" | Video on TED.com

Ethics in a Digital World

This is from an event last Spring, on June 27, 2010. However, it talks about a number of topics relevant to applied ethics and social media in libraries.

Welcome to Choose Privacy Week! |

"Each of us encounters more and more numerous breaches of personal privacy today, whether it’s with our cell phone records, grocery store coupons, airport scanners, or library circulation records. All of these small invasions lead to the creation of an overall “surveillance society” which is counter to U.S. Constitutional principles and to the way Americans want to live. One would have to become a hermit to avoid all invasions of personal privacy – no checking account, no health insurance, no mortgage. But with knowledge of how data is collected and used, you can make choices. In your doctor’s office there is some information you are not required to give. If you use a credit card at a store, you might consider using cash when you discover that they will profile your age, class, income, and size with collected data."

"Welcome to Choose Privacy Week! |

MN Job Posting: Library Technician, Ridgewater College

Over on our LIT program blog.

http://libinfotech.blogspot.com/

Back "in"

After being at workshops & conferences on Thursday and Friday, I'm back "in" the office, reading emails, and responding to posts. If you posted something over the past couple of days, and I don't respond today (Saturday), please send me an email reminder.

LIT Program Blog

Be sure you're regularly checking out our LIT program blog. That's where we post program information, job and internship opportunities, etc. In fact there's a new job posting there.

MCTC Fashion Show

CHAOS

Evolution of Fashion

This is what you've been waiting for!

Nine graduating MCTC Apparel Technologies students will unveil their spring collections on the catwalk. See cutting edge designs presented New York-style with gorgeous models on the runway.

May 2, 5:30 Preview

Main show is at 7:00

In the Plaza of the T building.

Best of all it is free!