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Annotations
A semiannual newsletter of the KU Libraries.

Volume 3, Issue 2 (Spring 2010)

See the print version (1 MB PDF)

From the Dean

If you have visited Watson Library in the past few months, you may have noticed changes to the physical spaces there. Those external changes illustrate our commitment to making the libraries more inviting and useful to the researchers we serve.

Perhaps the biggest change is the opening of the Center for Digital Scholarship (CDS) and the Center for Research Methods and Data Analysis (CRMDA) in their new homes on Watson’s fourth floor.

Both centers will offer services and consultation for researchers in a variety of fields. A primary goal of the CDS is to help researchers design and publish digital research and produce unique digital content in the arts, humanities and sciences. The CRMDA will focus on the needs of social and behavioral scientists, helping faculty, staff and students who need support for their program of research.

The new space is the result of an ongoing collaboration between KU Libraries and the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, a partnership that highlights the library’s role as the physical and intellectual commons on our campus. Libraries and librarians have a unique ability to support and advance research, teaching and learning in higher education, and the efforts taking place on Watson 4 are a prime example.

We are putting the finishing touches on the office and meeting spaces. Center staff members are moving in and preparing to welcome researchers from across campus. I encourage you to visit, get to know these talented people and learn how they can help support your research.

lorraine j. haricombe
Dean of Libraries

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Librarians in Action


Professor Geraldo U. de Sousa with his English 620 class at Spencer Research Library in December 2009. Students used materials from Spencer’s rare books collection for the course, “Renaissance English Literature: Shakespeare’s Companions." Photo: Dr. Cliff VanBlarcom.

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The Learning Studio: A hub for student collaboration takes shape in Anschutz Library

By Dylan Sands

KU Libraries is shaping an already popular study space into a hub of social and intellectual collaboration to provide what undergraduates need to excel academically and feel connected socially to KU. The Learning Studio is an integrated and student-friendly service environment in Anschutz Library dedicated to innovative learning opportunities and spaces.

The Libraries partnered with several academic units campuswide, including Student Success and IT, to collaborate on the diverse learning opportunities. Space in Anschutz Library has already been made available, and architects are currently working on designs. Phase one of the Learning Studio will be open to students in the fall of 2010.

The Studio will feature versatile work areas suitable for both solo and group study. Comfortable work stations and food and drink vending will add to the inviting atmosphere.

“The Learning Studio is a unique and comfortable environment outside the traditional classroom where students can take advantage of hands-on, collaborative and technologically enhanced teaching and learning opportunities,” said Jennifer Church-Duran, assistant dean of user services.

"Students will also have access to immediate support whether it is research help, writing consultations or tutoring activities,” she said.

Low-tech tools like movable white boards as well as high-tech A/V equipment and tools will be available to students. Learning Studio staff will provide in-person technical support.

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Managing noise in the libraries—without shushing

By Sarah Kanning

One issue that came through loud and clear in the 2009 LibQual+ survey from both faculty and students was noise in the libraries. While library users appreciate having spaces where they could work on projects in groups, they need quiet areas, too.

To meet that need, Jennifer Church-Duran, assistant dean of user services, asked a group of library staff and faculty to define KU Libraries’ noise policy (www.lib.ku.edu/noise) and establish and clearly mark quiet study spaces, group study areas, and cell phone zones within Watson and Anschutz Libraries. The Art & Architecture Library, Gorton Music & Dance Library and Spahr Engineering Library have followed suit.

The response has been encouraging. “I enjoyed two separate ‘thumbs-up’ reactions from students as I posted Quiet Zone signs along the walls of the 4 West study area,” said Jeromy Horkman, Watson service desk supervisor. When enforcement is required, staffers point patrons toward the nearest group study area or cell phone zone as needed, rather than resorting to shushing.

The result is a better work and study environment for those who need peace and tranquility as well as those who need to work (and talk) together.

Google Books settlement – what it means to you

By Lea Currie

In October 2004, Google introduced Google Print at the Frankfurt Book Fair. With initial library partners, including Harvard, New York Public, Stanford, Michigan, and Oxford, Google set about digitizing the entire monograph collections held in these libraries. Even though full-text for these books are only displayed if they are in the public domain or the author or publishers have given permission to display the book online, the Association of American Publishers and the Author’s Guild filed copyright lawsuits against Google in the fall of 2005. They alleged that Google was infringing on the rights of authors and publishers by creating its own virtual library of published books. Google, on the other hand, regarded their use of the digitized material as fair use, since they only display previews or snippets as a result of a search on their search engine.

After arguing their cases for three years, the Author’s Guild, the Association of American Publishers, and Google announced a settlement agreement in October 2008. The settlement will generate greater exposure for millions of in-copyright books and open new opportunities to create revenue for authors and publishers of out-of-print books. The settlement creates a Book Rights Registry that will locate and represent rights holders, while collecting and distributing revenues from Google.

The settlement creates four initial sources of revenue that Google will share with rights holders:

  1. Institutional licensing, whereby Google will license unlimited access to their database to colleges and universities for a flat fee;
  2. Individual online use where users will set up online accounts with Google Book Search and pay for access to particular books;
  3. Advertisements, so Google will receive the revenue from the main search pages in Google Book Search, but rights holders will receive a portion of the advertising revenues seen on their individual book pages; and
  4. Printouts from public access viewings of books.

In November 2009, the three parties filed an amended agreement that further limits access to books registered with the U.S. Copyright Office or published in the U.K., Australia or Canada after hearing feedback from foreign rights holders who did not want to enter into the original agreement. This limits access to approximately 50 percent of the books Google has scanned. A final Fairness Hearing took place on February 18, 2010.

New and updated databases: Kansas City Business Journal

KU Libraries recently gained access to The Kansas City Business Journal, a database that connects users to 40 trade publications nationwide. Each of these sources provides job leads, business news and industry information for specific cities and regions across America.

“Those looking for jobs or for particular information on the business environment in certain urban areas will benefit from this database,” said John Stratton, subject librarian for business and economics.

The database also includes an annual ranking of the nation’s “Best Places to Work,” as well as the “Book of Lists.”

“Researchers looking for business and industry leaders in urban areas will benefit from using the ‘Book of Lists,’” Stratton said. “That publication gives succinct information on numerous area markets ranging from accounting firms to businesses owned by women.”

Users can find additional information about more specialized topics covered in each publication by selecting the ‘editorial calendar’ link, which details when in-depth special reports appear during the year.

The database costs $1500 per year for three years and can serve 250 simultaneous users. The subscription cost has been underwritten by the Johnson County Education and Research Triangle.

For details on this and other recently added or updated databases, visit Annotations online at www.lib.ku.edu/data_updates.

Ted Kooser, former U.S. Poet Laureate, to read at KU April 12

An Evening with Ted Kooser

Monday, April 12 at the Oread Inn (1200 Oread Avenue).

Former U.S. poet laureate and Pulitzer Prize winner Ted Kooser will give a public reading at 7 p.m. at the Oread Inn. A special meet-and-greet reception open to Vosper Society members will precede the reading at 5:30 p.m. Learn more and RSVP at www.lib.ku.edu/kooser.

Snyder Book Collecting Contest Reception

Thursday, April 8, 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Watson Library.

Featuring Nicholas Basbanes, noted author who writes and lectures widely on books and various aspects of book culture.

Other Upcoming Events

Visit www.libraries.ku.edu/events to learn more about upcoming library events.

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Annotations

Annotations is published semiannually in September and March by KU Libraries.

Inquiries: Rebecca Smith, rasmith@ku.edu; design: Sarah Kanning.