ProtectFairUse.org

"Just came across this site, which I believe was set up by 321Studios in response to their clash with Hollywood studios: ProtectFairUse.org." [JD's New Media Musings]

This is an excellent site, although I wish they'd highlight how the DMCA could prevent libraries from circulating digital content. If you're not familiar with this issue (or how the DMCA affects you personally), definitely visit this site. They make it very easy to send email to your federal legislators. Alternatively, you can print the letter out to send it yourself through postal mail which, unfortunately, is still the best way to get a Congressperson's attention.

It's also good to add some of your own words to these types of letters. I added the following paragraph to mine.

"In addition, the right of first sale and fair use rights are critical to our nation's libraries. Do you want your grandchildren to be deprived of checking out digital books, music, or movies from the library because publishers have locked down content to the extent that they can no longer preserve, archive, and circulate them? Think how wide that digital divide could become. Don't make our libraries extinct in the digital age. Just ask any digital publisher how a library could circulate their materials, and if they say they'll 'figure it out' later, then you'll know something is wrong. If they say there is a way, have them physically demonstrate it ‑ otherwise, they're lying. Help save our cultural future!"

Illinois Periodicals Online at Northern Illinois University

" 'In 1997, the Northern Illinois University Libraries, DeKalb, Illinois, successfully applied for a grant to the Illinois State Library for the Illinois Periodicals Online (IPO) project. The project was awarded three separate grants through the Illinois State Library's Educate and Automate funds. The project will benefit Illinois citizens and the library community by providing public domain Internet access to Illinois-based magazines covering many topics of interest about the state.

IPO is a large digital imaging project that will evolve over a period of years. Participating magazines are currently being scanned and placed on the IPO Web site. Subject coverage includes many areas of interest in the arts, recreation, politics, commerce, biography, civics, genealogy, education, history, environment, science and other topics. The Web site is targeted to an audience of general readers, including citizens in all age groups, adolescents to older adults.'

LS Thoughts - I wish New York State libraries would do something like this. The full text of each journal is available back a bunch of years (sometimes over 15 years!!). Users can browse or search the database, but the search interface is a bit lacking. I wish an advanced search was available as there is an extensive amount of info here.

Localized digital projects are an incredible tool for researchers. When I was in library school, I created a digital collection of local newspaper clippings about my hometown. This helped studnets who were doing primary document research for thei classes. Way to go Illinois!!! [Library Stuff]

This site doesn't get nearly enough publicity, even in Illinois. In addition to the search engine problem, we need to add Illinois Libraries magazine! Right now we only have the current issue in PDF.  :-

Thanks for highlighting this, Steven!