4th Reading Asignment

Technology and Copyright Issues in the Academic Library: First Sale, Fair Use and Electronic Document

Ou, Carol. “Technology and copyright issues in the academic library: First sale, fair use and electronic document.” Libraries and the Academy, Vol 3 No. 1 (2003) pp. 89-98. Project Muse. 21 July 2009
http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/portal_libraries_and_the_academy/v003/3.1ou.pdf


Abstract:

The article is about concepts the first sale and fair use and its implications to Library's electronic resources. These two concepts were discussed in the article as it needed to be re-examined in an information age. It also discussed that this technology has the potential to upset the traditional balance between the public and private spheres that governs the doctrine of copyright.


Three things I've learned form the article:
1.Difference between the concepts of the first sale and fair use in an academic library setting.
2.First sale doctrine is more difficult to implement with digital items such as electronic documents

3.Major concerns posed by the Internet and digital document is that they blur the distinction between the public and private sphere


Reflection:

This Internet age presents new challenges to copyright issues. Universal access and distribution has become possible through the Internet. Libraries are leaders in trying to maintain balance of power between copyright holders and users.

Libraries want to provide the information need of its users. What is important is the institution must have a policy in accessing copyrighted materials in electronic reserves. It should be based on the fair use of the provisions of the Copyright Act. The methods of access are also important like the institution must have the required subscriptions and IP authentications. The Library where I work is currently looking for E-books especially for the Reserve ones. I a m hoping that I will learn more about policies, procedures, copyright issues after the E-books purchase.

3rd Reading Assigment

Library 2.0 Theory: Web 2.0 and its Implications for Libraries

Source:
Maness, Jack. Library 2.0 Theory : Web 2.0 and Its Implications for Libraries [Electronic Version]. Webology 3(2), June 2006.
http://www.webology.ir/2006/v3n2/a25.html



Abstract:

The author discussed the concept of Web 2.0 and its application to libraries.
He also presented a number of ways of web 2.0 applications that can be of help to library services. This included synchronous messaging, streaming media, blogs, wikis, social networks, tagging, RSS feeds, and mashups. These services were discussed by the author its description, advantages and short history. Most of these technologies that are used by the library clients are user-centered, provides multimedia experience, socially rich and communally innovative.



Things I’ve Learned
1) There are many ways to apply web 2.0 in a library setting.
2) There are many available resources for Library 2.0. The decision of the librarian whether what resources should be used depends on the needs of the Library and its clients.
3) Library 2.0 is a challenge for libraries. It is providing new and interesting resources for librarians to continue to do what they have always done so well in the past—bringing order out of chaos and making information readily available.

Reflections:
As I’ve read the article, I’ve learned so much about web2.0 applications that would be very helpful in many library services. Though I’ve been introduced to some of the applications like blogs, reference chat, podcast and social networking, I was very surprise that many other technologies can still be applied. Honestly, these applications make the library works less complicated especially for SDI and CAS.

As a reference librarian before, I experienced how to manage blogs and the reference chat service. I thought that these applications can only be used for personal reasons but what we are doing as librarians is maximizing the use of these technologies so we can reach out to our clients.

2nd Reading Asignment

Computer security and computer ethics awareness : a component of management information system by Maslin Masrom and Zuraini Ismail

Source:
Masrom,Maslin. “Computer security and computer ethics awareness : a component of management information system” Information Technology, 2008. ITSim 2008. International Symposium on. Volume 3, 26-28 Aug. 2008 Page(s):1 -7. IEEE Xplore. Retrieved July 8, 2009
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/guesthome.jsp

exact URL:
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?tp=&arnumber=4632042&isnumber=4631966

*Full text can be viewed if you are an IEEE member or if you have the required subscriptions.


Abstract

The article is about a study that examined the computer security and computer ethics among students of the College of Science and Technology, University Technology Malaysia. The sample population consisted of students who are either in computer science majors or non-majors. Results showed that majority of the students had a satisfactory awareness of computer security and computer ethics. There is also a difference in awareness level to computer security and ethics between computer science majors and non majors as well as between male and female in certain aspects.


Three things I’ve learned in the article

• Universities are among the least secure places in the world according to experts in the computer security discipline.
• There is a difference in awareness level to computer security and ethics between computer science majors and non majors as well as between male and female in certain aspects.
• Majority of computer users strongly support anti-virus software as a protection for computing systems and data. Also, the most unethical behavior is to use computer to harm other people.


Application

Computer security and ethics are vital aspects to any computer user. As a computer user for more than ten years, I have been practicing a number of ways to promote computer security. Installing anti-virus software is an important protective step in securing a computer. Password is also an effective way to secure unauthorized access to computer resources. It is also important to backup data for protection against intentional security attacks. Also, being guided by the commandment “Thou shall not use a computer to harm other people” makes me a responsible and accountable computer user.

1st Reading Assignment LIS 260

An investigation of user attitudes toward search engines as an information retrieval tool by Shu-Sheng Liawa and Hsiu-Mei Huang

Source:

Liawa, Shu-Sheng. "An investigation of user attitudes toward search engines as an information retrieval tool" Computers in Human Behavior. 19 (2003) 751–765. Science Direct. Retrieved June 30, 2009

http://www.sciencedirect.com/

Exact URL:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VDC-4811TNB-C&_user=3728211&_coverDate=11%2F30%2F2003&_alid=947133209&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_cdi=5979&_sort=r&_docanchor=&view=c&_ct=265&_acct=C000061230&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=3728211&md5=48339fe78cc5d06ccd188b5c73e2c24a

Science Direct is one of the online subscriptions of UP Diliman. You may not be able to access its full text if you are not within the campus or if you do not have the required subscriptions.

Abstract

The article discusses the factors that affect user attitudes towards search engines as an information retrieval tool. It explains how the main uses of computers, with the growth of the internet, in information retrieval. It hypothesizes that factors such as the quality of search systems, individual computer and Internet experience and personal motivation can be considered to predict these attitudes. The research mainly used questionnaires for gathering data. The results showed that computers are mainly used for information retrieval rather than for word processing and data storage. Also, it showed that users who enjoyed using search engines regard that search engine to be easy to use and will use it again. The article concluded that the research results were consistent with earlier studies. These past studies showed that users’ attitudes toward system quality predict whether they like that system or feel easy to use that system and that effective implementation of information retrieval systems depends whether or not users will have a positive attitude towards it.

3 things I learned from the article:

- Computer experience is one of the factors that determine a user’ perceptions to search engines.

- The quality of an information system and its accuracy of delivered results are relevant to its success.

- Search services on the Web are of two types: directory services and query-based

Application/Implication of the things I learned

I can personally apply the findings in the article in my line of work as a librarian. A huge part of my role consists of assisting the library clientele retrieve information using our library’s tools and resources. Knowing factors such as the quality of the search systems and the users’ individual computer and internet experience and motivation can help me to facilitate better the users. For example, we can consider the accuracy of results delivered by the library’s OPAC as a factor contributing to the users’ experience. On the other hand we can also consider the frequency of clients using the OPAC to determine its usefulness. Other things like user motivation can be considered in building the library’s collection. For the most part, the engineering library II is geared towards Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Computer Science students. Thus their motivation is having their homework done and preparing for exams. As a librarian, I can build the collection around these needs and propagate a strong learning environment so as to foster a positive attitude from our main clients, the students.