[Opengenalliance] Cambridge University library digitisation

[Javier Ruiz]

Apologies for replying to my own email!

This blog has some ideas on the value of things online:

http://www.kk.org/thetechnium/archives/2008/01/better_than_fre.php 

-- 
Javier Ruiz
javier at openrightsgroup.org
+44(0)7877 911 412
@javierruiz


On Thursday, 5 January 2012 at 10:17, Javier Ruiz wrote:

> > 
> > The model is not being hollowed out but rather strengthened as access is 
> > being provided to all at a common price.
> > In physical libraries those who live close by are allowed free access 
> > whilst those who live at a distance are being penalized or excluded due 
> > to costs of accessing the material.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> I think that this is very different from universal access, as common price means Rupert Murdoch pays the same as my disabled pensioner neighbour, the problem which progressive taxation for public services such as libraries tries to solve. But again, the issue is not just about fair pricing or equality, but about the understanding of data and digital services in relation to the existing ideas of libraries, and whether by applying the walled building metaphor with digital turnstiles we are missing the point of what the digital revolution could do for the advancement of cultural heritage. 
> > 
> > There is also the difference between what is understood by public domain.
> 
> Any work that is not protected by any intellectual property restriction is in the public domain. This is actually very clear, although it varies in each country and it can get difficult to assess for individual documents due to the incredible complexity of copyright laws.  I honestly recommend that people should have a look at books such as this http://www.thepublicdomain.org/ not as "do your homework" but heart in hand believing that we all need to grasp the enormity of the current situation. 
> > 
> > 
> > Google Books often carries works which are still under copyright and 
> > cannot be accessed here in the UK.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> The Google Books Settlement for in-copyright books is a major saga and may change at any time (UK was meant to be covered in the original deal). I was referring to the scanning of public domain books, such as those in the British Library, but mainly to highlight that free in monetary terms is not the same as open data or public domain. 
>  
> > > 
> > 
> > I supply books on CD I also provide free access online files in various 
> > forms.
> > At present it costs me more to supply online files than files on CD.
> > I have looked into the costs of supplying all my titles as downloads and 
> > the costs are exhorbitant.
> > 
> > Any supplier has to look at all their costs to enable them to supply 
> > their goods.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> Guy I completely agree financial sustainability is critical. The issues here are what are the real costs, what we mean by sustainability, and whether the business model is adequate. For public bodies it gets more complicated, as they really have to maintain their mission, and this restricts -- or should restrict -- their options. Some people are saying that museums should finance themselves by selling works to private collectors but this is not widely accepted.
> 
> I think you could speak to the people from FreeBMD or others in this list about Internet costs as generally is cheaper than physical media.
> > > 
> > 
> > Of course it is more complicated than petrol vs. broadband scenario, but 
> > would you rather the libraries closed as many are here in the UK. Over 
> > five have closed here in Wakefield over the last year.
> > Libraries and museums are struggling to make ends meet, if they cannot 
> > meet their costs they have to close.
> > How does that help public access?
> > 
> > 
> > 
> 
> 
> Exactly, libraries and museums are closing because they have not found a good digital transition and because culture has become a major casualty of the reduction of public services in the past 30 years. Charging for data to pay for decaying institutions is not going to save them. 
> 
> There are more ways to generate income and attract resources, including volunteers http://www.dish2011.nl/themes
> 
> Best, Javier
> 

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.openrightsgroup.org/pipermail/opengenalliance/attachments/20120105/0500f468/attachment.htm>