Beyond Article 19: Libraries and Social and Cultural Rights

by RoryLitwin

Beyond Article 19: Libraries and Social and Cultural Rights Editors: Julie Biando Edwards and Stephan P. Edwards Price: $28.00 Published: October 2010 ISBN: 978-1-936117-19-2 Printed on acid-free paper Beyond Article 19: Libraries and Social and Cultural Rights addresses the subject of libraries and cultural rights, a topic that has received relatively little attention in the … Read more Beyond Article 19: Libraries and Social and Cultural Rights

The underlying reason that the American Right will always be irrational, and a couple of ideas as to why the problem is presently so acute

by RoryLitwin

As the more civic-minded among us have observed, the American Right has mostly rejected rational discourse in favor of strategic communication. There is a reason for it that has to do with more than a calculation of what will be most effective, or a fear that rational discourse will “prove them wrong,” though that is … Read more The underlying reason that the American Right will always be irrational, and a couple of ideas as to why the problem is presently so acute

McAfee Site Advisor Red-Flagging Ebscohost

by RoryLitwin

McAfee Site Advisor is red-flagging ebsco.com and ebscohost.com. Something to do with detecting malware. Does anybody know what that is about? Ebsco’s response so far is that they are “working to resolve it.” No explanation forthcoming and no denial. I’m concerned and wondering what they are putting onto our computers, however it ends up being … Read more McAfee Site Advisor Red-Flagging Ebscohost

Christine O’Donnell is just what I’ve been talking about

by RoryLitwin

Recently I have rubbed some people the wrong way by speaking frankly about the problem of ignorance in civic life and people’s lack of concern and lack of shame regarding it. I argued that we should not be trying to increase voter turnout when Americans feel so little responsibility in the way of self-education on … Read more Christine O’Donnell is just what I’ve been talking about

Library, Inc. (Chronicle Review)

by RoryLitwin

“Library, Inc., by David Goldstein, in the new Chronicle Review, begins: From industry-backed research to CEO-style executive salaries and perquisites, the influence of corporate America on universities has been the subject of much popular and scholarly scrutiny. University libraries have largely escaped that attention. Yet libraries, the intellectual heart of universities, have become perhaps the … Read more Library, Inc. (Chronicle Review)

The art of old school (mid 20th century) printing technology

by RoryLitwin

Lincoln Cushing wrote this cool article on old school (mid-20th century) printing technology: Cranking It Out, Old-School Style: Art of the Gestetner”. Lincoln is a librarian who had a previous career doing printing and graphic design for community groups. Every society has its pecking order, and printing is no exception. Equipment matters. At the top … Read more The art of old school (mid 20th century) printing technology

Undergraduates and the crisis of cognitive authority

by RoryLitwin

I just read and enjoyed this paper by MaryBeth Meszaros, “Who’s In Charge Here? Authority, Authoritativeness, and the Undergraduate Researcher,” in Communications in Information Literacy, vol 4, no. 1 (2010). It paints a more pessimistic picture of GenY students than we usually see. I wonder how GenY optimists would respond to her argument. I tend … Read more Undergraduates and the crisis of cognitive authority

J-Schools in question – a familiar story

by RoryLitwin

Michael Bugeja wrote in Inside Higher Ed (a month ago – sorry for not blogging it sooner) about the proposed discontinuation and reorganization of the journalism school at the University of Colorado at Boulder: “Half-Truths on a J-School.” Readers will notice parallels between what journalism schools and library schools have been facing. I think it … Read more J-Schools in question – a familiar story

CHE interviews Michael Bugeja

by RoryLitwin

Today’s Chronicle of Higher Education has a piece about “link rot” within scholarly journal articles, which was the topic of our recent book by Michael Bugeja and Daniela Dimitrova, Vanishing Act: The Erosion of Online Footnotes and Implications for Scholarship in the Digital Age. Bugeja is interviewed in the article, which is titled, “A Modern … Read more CHE interviews Michael Bugeja

LJP e-books: Proof that we don’t hate change

by RoryLitwin

Our full list of books is now available in e-book form, in the Adobe Digital Editions format. We have links from our site to the Powells.com page for each e-book. We recommend Powell’s as a retailer, as they are a union shop and an amazing brick-and-mortar Portland landmark as well. Adobe Digital Editions e-books can … Read more LJP e-books: Proof that we don’t hate change

Mary Minow Appointed to IMLS Advisory Board

by RoryLitwin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 7, 2010 Press Contacts 202-653-4630 Mamie Bittner, mbittner@imls.gov Mary Minow Appointed to IMLS Advisory Board Washington, DC-On October 6, Mary Minow of California was appointed to the National Museum and Library Services Board (NMLSB). Minow was nominated by President Obama on April 26 and confirmed by the Senate on September 29. … Read more Mary Minow Appointed to IMLS Advisory Board

On reviews that say a book was “put together quickly”

by RoryLitwin

I am always on the lookout for reviews of books that we have published, and am usually gratified to read them. If there is a complaint in the review, it is most often that the book has typos or needed better copy editing. One recent review of one of our books, and I will not … Read more On reviews that say a book was “put together quickly”

Women in Libraries

by RoryLitwin

Women in Libraries, which for many years was the print publication of the Feminist Task Force of ALA/SRRT, ceased publication a few years ago, but is now back as an online publication. It is part of the larger wiki of the group.

A Space for Hate: The White Power Movement’s Adaptation into Cyberspace

by RoryLitwin

Introduction [Book information]   June 10, 2009:    James von Brunn logged off his Packard Bell computer, grabbed his keys and strode out the door of his son’s Annapolis apartment. He had moved in with his son and future daughter-in-law two years ago where he paid $400 a month in rent and spent most of his … Read more A Space for Hate: The White Power Movement’s Adaptation into Cyberspace

Inaccuracy in Adbusters article

by RoryLitwin

I am not going to spend a lot of time on this, but I want to point out an inaccuracy in an article on the Adbuster’s website (and maybe in the magazine as well, I can’t tell) titled, “Google’s Flaw,” written by Micah White. I’m not unsympathetic with White’s point about Google, but I have … Read more Inaccuracy in Adbusters article