> The thing is, at least for an academic library, even though we could
> still share the metada freely, the higher ups within the institution
> (CIO, provost, etc.) might not always share the views of "for public
> good" only. They might still need to know what the ROI for the library
> is, which can be translated into something like: for x dollar spent in
> cataloging a material and doing interlibrary loan and hosting digital
> libraries, etc., how much z dollar it generates (more grant funding,
> more endowments, patents, etc.)
It's a pity these same people are not concerned with the ROI on
withholding information or the staff time needed to manage
restrictions on something they're not making money from in first
place.
Libraries don't even share this information with each other. Years
ago, I used to try to get this kind of information because I wanted to
develop free tools to help me with my own work that I'd be willing to
give away for nothing. I doubt the situation has changed. Ask some
libraries for their metadata and see what happens. Then borrow a
couple hundred articles on some crackpot political topic and notice
the difference in the response you get....
More than 10 years ago, I wrote programs that suggested subject
headings and call numbers based on statistical analysis of provided
fields. I used our own local DB for training, but to be useful for
others, I'd need a bigger training set. I had all kinds of ideas for
tools to assist with authority control. I haven't done any cataloging
for 7 years, but when I last did, the tools and interfaces for staff
were abysmal.
There are other people who would use information for good. If it
weren't for people willing to give away what they create for
themselves, we wouldn't even be where we are now. Take MarcEdit. When
Terry wrote that, he was still a library tech and it's purpose was to
help with database maintenance. OCLC, LC, and a bunch of players big
and small use it for heavy duty work. There are plenty of other people
who would step up if we didn't make it so damn hard to do anything.
The ROI would be a real chance at increased productivity and service.
The library world is way too small for everyone to sit in their
fiefdoms jealously guarding their crumbs.
kyle
Received on Fri Sep 11 2009 - 19:33:28 EDT