November 2019

eBook Embargo on Libraries is Only the Tip of the Iceberg

eBook Embargo on Libraries is Only the Tip of the Iceberg

As of November 1st, 2019 McMillan Publishing, one of the largest print publishers in the world, placed an 8-week embargo on libraries purchasing more than one copy of new release eBooks limiting an entire branch to loan out one eBook at a time to library patrons. This coupled with the publishing community beginning to limit perpetual access to eBooks and audiobooks, in general, should serve as a warning for what is about to come with the continued siloing and commoditization of information. A new reality favoring publishers and aggregators over creators and consumers closing in not only on the expressions of authors but the reportage of journalists, songs of artists, and the visions of filmmakers.

https://emergentweb.org/2019/11/12/ebook-embargo-on-libraries-is-only-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/

Happy 20 Years LISNews!

As usual, I forgot! 20 years ago on Nov 2nd I brought LISNews online.

I can’t possibly thank everyone who has helped LISNews over the past 20 years. Steve Glabraith, Steven M Cohen & Nabeal Ahmed, were all instrumental in helping me during the early years (when I needed it most!).

We also had a few authors that posted like bloggers possessed and are still with us, BIRDIE especially, and Ieleene, Aaron, Rochelle, and a few other authors who helped out for awhile and moved on. Behind the scenes Joe Frazee helped me get the original LISNews server up and running. Over the years a few dedicated souls have tirelessly submitted stories; Bob Cox, Martin, Lee Hadden, Charles Davis, and many others. Stephen Kellat, for the podcast, Robin, Troy, Andy, Dan and all the LISNews authors deserve a big thank you and a pat on the back for all their hard work. LISNews is a collaborative site, and we all work together to make it great.

I’d also like to thank everyone who has ever chipped in to pay for the server, submitted a story, wrote in their journal, left a comment, or just dropped by for a visit.

Happy Birthday LISNews. Here’s hoping we have a few more good years ahead of us!

VIDEO: Multiple raccoons take over the library at Arkansas State

An Arkansas State University alumnus says he was surprised to spot a few curious critters running around the campus library.

Codie Clark, a math tutor, says he spotted at least two raccoons Sunday on the third floor of the university’s Dean B. Ellis Library while waiting for a student to arrive for a tutoring session. Clark says other students then cornered one raccoon.

https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2019/oct/29/multiple-raccoons-take-over-library-arkansas-state/

Late author Philip Roth left $2M to an N.J. library, report says

In addition to his entire personal book collection, late author Phillip Roth also donated at least $2 million to the library in his New Jersey hometown.

The Pulitzer Prize winner, before his death last year, arranged to donate the money to the Newark Public Library, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. The money, the report said, a large chunk of his $10 million estate, would be used to bolster the library’s general collection. And the gift included additional funding to help renovate a space to house his 7,000-book personal collection, it said.

https://www.nj.com/essex/2019/10/late-author-philip-roth-left-2m-to-an-nj-library-report-says.html