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 Forum index » Archive » Archive: Catching the Wish (CTW2) » CTW2: Interactions
[EMAIL] "Save the Library - a call to arms!"
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Max Steele
Unfettered


Joined: 26 Apr 2005
Posts: 456

 		[EMAIL] "Save the Library - a call to arms!"
I just received this email from "library@aglauranj.org:

Quote:
I'm writing to you because you've contacted me regarding your interest in
this matter or you have looked into getting a library card. The city
council meeting which will decide the fate of the Aglaura Public Library
is less than a week away, and the time for action is _now_. Your personal
support expressed in messages to me have meant so much, and the online
petition is truly inspired. I ask that those of you who are able please
take a moment and go the extra mile.

How can you help? Well, I've collected a small list of prominent Aglaura
citizens who might be able to hold some sway with the members of the city
council who seem hell-bent on digitizing the Library. I give these names
to you in the hopes that you can contact them, even in the face of
receiving not even an acknowledgment in return, but possibly exerting some
influence upon their thinking. If you could let these people know that
you are interested Aglaura, libraries, books in general, or anything else
you think might help, it would be most appreciated.

I can't thank you enough for all you have done so far. My only wish is
that together we can find some way to save the Library and its contents.
I believe that by contacting these citizens, we can galvanize them into
supporting our cause for the upcoming vote. If all else fails, Dale
Sprague, Sam Greene, and I are working on an alternate plan as a last
resort.

Most sincerely,
Sarah Wyatt
Head Librarian, Aglaura Public Library

Citizens to email:

jhollowaySPLATaglauranj.org
Janet Holloway: She's on the fence. On one hand she would like to
preserve the past, but on the other hand thinks that progress will bring a
population surge, which will increase business for her (she's a
mortician). She needs to see that not all growth is healthy.

mbartonSPLATaglauranj.org
Marla Barton: She's pro-redevelopment. She believes that we should
modernize all aspects of the educational process. She needs to understand
that progress for the sake of progress can be just as harmful as
stagnation.

awolffSPLATaglauranj.org
Arthur Wolff: An author and a friend of mine. He understands the value of
libraries and books and is a formidable ally. Letters to him will help
him draw arguments to present to the council.

jtennantSPLATaglauranj.org
Joseph Tennant: Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church. He has yet to go
public with his opinion on the plan, possibly because redevelopment could
improve streets and parking around the church. He needs to see that this
is about more than road improvements.

Annabelle Goodwyn: Head of the Aglaura Public Library Patron Association.
Miss Goodwin is already obviously on our side, but if you would like to
preach to the choir, she would love to hear from you. She doesn't have
email, so send anything you would like to me and I will forward it on to
her.


Alrighty, we have new email addresses! Everyone start writing!

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 7:03 pm
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CrypticVision
Boot


Joined: 28 May 2006
Posts: 66
Location: NYCUKOMTOR

 		Two letters down, two to go!

Do we know if any of these people have children?
_________________
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discourage those who don't.

Deus City

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 8:54 pm
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MageSteff
Pretty talky there aintcha, Talky?


Joined: 06 Jun 2003
Posts: 2716
Location: State of Denial
CrypticVision wrote:
Two letters down, two to go!

Do we know if any of these people have children?


Those sound like all new names to me. But I bet Sarah or Dale would know.
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A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead


PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 10:27 pm
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goldranger
Kl00

Joined: 02 Jun 2006
Posts: 42

 		One of the names isn't new: Marla Barton. She's listed as the superintendant of schools on the Aglaura government page.

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 10:30 pm
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MageSteff
Pretty talky there aintcha, Talky?


Joined: 06 Jun 2003
Posts: 2716
Location: State of Denial
goldranger wrote:
One of the names isn't new: Marla Barton. She's listed as the superintendant of schools on the Aglaura government page.


Sorry. I should have said... new in CTW2, I don't remember any of those names from the first CTW. Geek
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Magesteff
A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead


PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 10:35 pm
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Citizen Kane
Unfettered


Joined: 29 May 2006
Posts: 486
Location: Aglaura, NJ

 		Wrote them all with the same message:
Quote:
Dear (XXXX),

I am a staunch supporter of progress. Yes, that may seem a contradiction from what I'm about to try and persuade you to, but it is true nonetheless. I believe that while progress is a good thing, there are just some things that shouldn't happen. Burning books being one of them. Granted, in the plan to completely digitize the books in the library, they won't necessarily be burned afterwards, but you have to ask yourself... What will happen to books once every one of them everywhere are digitized?

Another reason books shouldn't be digitized is because, once digitized, they can be changed/hacked/erased much, much easier. Isn't that the whole point of computers, changing information easy? While it's true that paper books can be burned easily in a building fire, one must realize that computers would melt in the same fire.

An argument I have heard for Digitization would be that it might attract more people to the town, but in all likelihood, it will be the exact opposite. If books become available on the internet, why would people move to the source? Why not just access them from Manhattan or Buffalo from the convenience of their own home? The only thing digitizing books will do is just stop people from reading what they want away from a computer screen. You'd need a laptop or print outs, just to read something in the park, in the car, or even in the bathroom.

Would digitization help with education? Possibly. It'd be true it would cost the school system less on average, and it would increase some students grades, but would it be beneficial to everyone? Digital books would allow some students to plagiarize material much easier. While they can be stopped with diligent teachers, not every teacher would/could spot the discrepancies. This'll hurt students in the long run. Also, if the books are only available online, what about the students who can't afford a computer? Will the school systems issue a computer for their use? Or will they just be left behind?

There's also the issue of copyright law and book sales. While it's true that an authors' books can be disseminated much faster through the internet, but people tend to share books. If someone lends someone a book, and that person likes it, they're more likely to buy that book after they return it to it's owner. But, if it was digitized, they'd already have a copy of it, for free. A copy they wouldn't have to return to it's owner as it's just electronic ones and zeroes, duplicated from the "original" copy. They'd be free to give the book to others and them others, all for free, all without giving the author recompensation. That's no way for a professional writer to live.

And what of the Bible? The Koran? The Torah? All the other documents each religion uses to teach their followers? If we digitize those, would we install computers screens in places of worship? Would we force people to take home floppy disks to pore over later, after services? How about installing huge mainframes in the background, behind the icon of whatever religious figure is worshipped? I don't believe ANY religion would feel electric bits could fully convey the words of their belief.

Shall we digitize books? Only if we want to stagnate belief, education, population levels and the livelihoods of very talented people. If those aren't options for you, please, help save the Library.

Thank you.

James Steele



Tried to include everything, but... you know how these things can be... Dunno
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 11:06 pm
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CrypticVision
Boot


Joined: 28 May 2006
Posts: 66
Location: NYCUKOMTOR

 		Oh yeah, that totally ownes my dozenish sentences in the face.
_________________
Those who abandon their dreams,
discourage those who don't.

Deus City

PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2006 11:53 pm
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Dionysus
Unfettered

Joined: 18 Nov 2005
Posts: 612
Location: Philadelphia Area

 		Interestingly.. Diana isn't mentioned.
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Played: Orbital Colony, Find Araya, Who Is Ben Stove, part of Catching the Wish
Playing: Nothing, but at least Im alive

PostPosted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 12:44 am
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konamouse
Official uF Dietitian


Joined: 02 Dec 2002
Posts: 8010
Location: My own alternate reality

 		Probably because Diana is firmly entrenched in the pockets of Marzano. Nothing we can do or say will change her vote.
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r u a Sammeeeee? I am Forever!

PostPosted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 5:51 am
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Mountain Girl
Unfettered


Joined: 16 Sep 2005
Posts: 650

 		Here was my reply to all involved.

Quote:
Greetings Aglaura Citizen,

A belief in progress is imperitive in today's world. Too much progress can be detrimental to the very ideals our society holds dear. Sometimes, when one seeks progress, they are merely seeking control. This is something I fear with the proposal to digitize the library's collection of wonderful books. By controlling how we read, can what we read not be controlled as well? And what will happen to the written word once they are converted to ones and zeros?

It would be much too easy to "lose" many works once they have been stored in a main frame. Not only could they be lost, but they could also be tampered with. This is a frightening prospect. What happens during a lengthy power outage? How does one read then? What happens to our freedom when someone gains access to the words and manipulates them for their own purposes?

I have heard the argument Digitization would possibly be great for the town's economy by attracting more visitors and citizens. The logic of this argument is flawed. If books are easier to access from home on the computer, why move closer to the source?

While being easier to access, it is also extremely inconvenient. A tragic accident is just waiting to occur while someone wants to read in the bath. Electrocution, anyone? I make light, but the loss of freedom shouldn't be joked about it.

I am a teacher. Another argument has been in favor of this move because of the ease of information retrieval in the classroom and for students. This is already not a problem. Anything is available from the library or online already. What we should focus on teaching our children is the beauty of a bound book, with ink on paper someone has labored over to share their vision. A vision that would net them no monetary gain for their craft if everyone had access through their computer. Children need to learn how our technology developed, that it isn't always certain, and how to get along without it. The pen is truly mightier than the sword.

If we digitized our scriptures of faith (whatever they may be) how would one read, study and grow in that faith? Would one have to be near a computer to do so? Will we install personal computer stations in the pews or houses of prayer?

All of these issues need to be seriously debated and thought through before the final decision is made to turn our book's pages into webpages. Please consider these arguments. Help the town of Aglaura keep it's magnificence and freedom by standing up for what is right. Spread the word to the citizens and decision-makers of Aglaura. "Bound Pages! Not Web-Pages!"


Thank You For Your Time,
xxxxxx


Everyone in unison now!
Bound Pages Not Web Pages!!!
Bound Pages Not Web Pages!!!
Bound Pages Not Web Pages!!!
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Bound Pages Not Webpages
[Waiting for The Mask of Man]

PostPosted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 7:18 pm
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Dionysus
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Joined: 18 Nov 2005
Posts: 612
Location: Philadelphia Area

 		I like it. I'll add it to my drafts
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Played: Orbital Colony, Find Araya, Who Is Ben Stove, part of Catching the Wish
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 8:09 pm
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Jenna
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Joined: 07 May 2006
Posts: 416
Location: Romford

 		I've posted short and sweet emails to most - I've only done short and sweet emails.
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Playing is cool, but lurking when you're busy is AWESOME

PostPosted: Sat Jun 17, 2006 11:51 pm
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RedHatty
Unfictologist


Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 1428
Location: x¡Jyœ–‹˜VJvk

 		I am still working on my email, but in doing so, I did a web search of library digitizatoin & WOW! there are a lot of real libraries doing this as well as google having it's own project. Publishing companies are in an uproar.

I didn't think that this was a real project, but I am dismayed to find out not only is it real in many places, but it is still under debate as to whether or not it is legal.

PostPosted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 3:26 am
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RedHatty
Unfictologist


Joined: 08 May 2006
Posts: 1428
Location: x¡Jyœ–‹˜VJvk

 		Here's what I sent:
Quote:
Dear Concerned Citizens of Aglaura,
Regarding the proposed digitization of the Aglaura Public Library, I must voice my concern and opposition, and I wish that you will take to time to listen to my arguments.

Digitization will put all the books in the exact same format. There's a history of wanting everything in a little place. There's a long history of it. There were these things called ultrafiche cards that were superhigh-reduction microfilm pages, and you'd get lots and lots of books on one sheet of plastic. And there were people from the RAND Corporation that predicted that there would be a billion books and every library would have this core collection [on microfiche].

And in fact, you wouldn't need the book because you could just simply buy out of a little dispenser -- a microfiche dispenser. You'd just buy the book and take it home, and it would be a piece of plastic, you know.

And it was really exciting to people, this idea that everything would be light, portable, clean, you know. But then you go to Borders [and other bookstores], and what are people doing? They're wandering around, looking way down near the floor or up near the ceiling, and all the books are different sizes, different colors.

There's some basic appeal of heterogeneity that books satisfy -- that they all look different. And something about that is really pleasing to people. I mean I wouldn't want all my books to be the exact same size and color and design. The design of things is so important.

There is a place for proper use of digitization and some libraries are doing it right. Oxford's Bodleian Library and the New York Public Library are limiting the books scanned to those that are out of copyright and in the public domain. This is a valuable initiative, preserving information that may be lost to physical deterioration, and it has the added benefit of being legal.

It is the legal aspect that concerns me. You see, Marzant and Aglaura are not the first to consider digitization of an entire library. When Google announced last year that it planned to scan millions of the world's books and make them searchable online, many were thrilled. Many -- but not everyone, it turns out. In a May 20, 2006 letter, the Association of American University Presses (AAUP) blasts Google's so-called Print for Libraries program for posing a risk of "systematic infringement of copyright on a massive scale."

While many would argue Fair Use, Under U.S. Law, a fair use determination requires an analysis of the four factors specific in section 107 (i.e., Purpose, Nature of the work, Amount, Market Impact), and is highly fact- and circumstance-specific. What is a supporter of the digitization of Aglaura's public library's argument to justify the treating of books of haiku, dictionaries, novels, collections of letters, engineering handbooks, biographies, musical scores, works of literary criticism -- in short, every copyrighted work in a library's collection -- as identical so that they can all fall under the same four factors analysis?

If the Aglaura library content is in the public domain then the full text will be viewable online. As a comparative guide, I will use Google's decisions. The dates that Google is using to determine public domain material vary. From the Google Library FAQ:

If you're in the US, we've taken a very conservative stance and only books pre-1923 will be considered public domain. If you're not in the US, only books pre-1900s can be considered public domain because of differing copyright laws internationally.
But neither Google, Marzant, nor anyone else has the right to do that without the permission of authors whose copyrights remain in force. The company is, in effect, stealing people's property and providing others with access to it for its own gain.

Arguments to the contrary are simply wrong.

A lofty purpose does not negate the crime. Al Capone ran a soup kitchen in Chicago during the Great Depression of the 1930s, but he was still a crook. He was, in effect, advertising his big heart and concern for mankind, just like Rockefeller; just like Google, and more recently, Marzant.

Please do not allow yourselves to become part of a potential crime, stop Marzant's plan to digitize the Aglaura Public Library.

Sincerely,

Carol Hathaway


Awaiting replies

PostPosted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 4:16 am
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konamouse
Official uF Dietitian


Joined: 02 Dec 2002
Posts: 8010
Location: My own alternate reality

 		Both konamouse & konashark have sent their letters. Slight modifications to individualize a little bit of the emails, but here is the basic info we sent:

Quote:
I'm writing on behalf of local, national and international interest to
preserve the Aglaura Library. I thought I could give you some
additional ammunition in your arguments in front of the council this
week.

Progress is important. Digitization of rare, infrequently used, and
older works of literature is a good idea for preservation and space
conservation.

But there are risks associated with the loss of hard bound/soft
bound/physical books and tomes:
1) Digital memory is not infalable. Magnets, human error, natural
disasters are some of the reasons computer data have been lost. If
there is no hard copy, there is nothing to compare for replacement.
The data is lost forever.
2) Digital data can be corrupted. This is the equivalent of someone
defacing a physical book - which can also happen. But with modern
hackers the opportunity to introduce malicious code from thousands of
miles away is multiplied astronomically compared to the actions of a
couple of local kids (who can be more easily identified, apprehended,
and appropriately punished/educated for their crime).

There are some emotional ties to the physical that would be lost with
the complete digitization and then destruction of the current library.
1) Many area residents grew up checking out books, doing their
homework, participating in reading groups, displayed or admired
artwork at your library.
2) Many folks discovered a favorite author, met a new friend, or
kindled a romance in the stacks of your library.

Then there are some legal ramifications that are already in evidence
as other libraries across the country are making this decision.
1) Copywrite infringement - in some cases, even older works are still
under the protection of estates or decendents of the original
author(s).
2) Changing the physicality of the artwork - does this change the
actual work just enough to invite accusations of plagerism?

Thank you for your support of Sarah Wyatt & Dale Sprague in their
efforts to preserve your library.


For the Rector Tennant we took out the legal stuff and added the following:
Quote:
I think you know how important memories are to us. That may be part of
what makes us human - the ability to make new connections and remember old ones (sometimes with just the sounds of a page turning, or the smell of the ink on paper).

And when you think of the most holy work of art ever put down on
paper.... What would you like to see in your sanctuary - a
congregation punching sticks at their PDAs to access a psalm, or the
beautiful quiet rustle of pages turning and tomes in hand while
singing His praises?

_________________
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r u a Sammeeeee? I am Forever!

PostPosted: Sun Jun 18, 2006 11:27 am
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