I have recently been following Library Stuff a weblog dedicated to resources for keeping current and professional development. A few items here have caught my interest
Swapping to eBooks (Library Stuff posted April 25, 2011)
Consumers with an e-reader under their arm, a smartphone in their hand or an internet-connected PC are lining up to borrow digital books from their local libraries or friends.
The days may be numbered when people are able to share their favourite books or novels with each other in terms of borrowing or lending. But as the popularity of eBooks increase, worried publishers and digital rights management issue will arise and what will this imply? I guess we will just wait and discover whether sharing eBooks will become a trend or be troublesome.
Free Public Libraries Under Threat (NZ-Libs posted May 05, 2011)
Megan Button Communications Manager LIANZA states in her post that LIANZA is concerned that free libraries may not exist when local authorities decides to charge for services like internet and digital usage and book loans.
This is similar to the issue of User Pays in the Learning Guide where it costs to retrieve certain information. With this, the digital divide will be even wider as only those who have the financial resources are able to access information. I notice that when economic times are bad, people tend to use the libraries more often. Why buy books when you can join the library?. Why pay for internet usage at home when libraries offer free WIFI and internet services? I hope LIANZA will be able to convince the authorities to continue keeping libraries free across New Zealand.
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