Digital Content Working Group at ALA

I've been very busy with unglue.it and I'm working on something I'll soon share here. We're thrilled that the unglue.it campaign for Ruth Finnegan's Oral Literature in Africa is at 53% but there are just 9 days to go, so if you haven't yet casted your vote for crowd-funded Creative Commons ebook relicensing, now is the time you most do so.

Since early this year, I've been serving on ALA’s Digital Content and Libraries Working Group (DCWG) commisioned by American Library Association (ALA) President Molly Raphael. Our role has been to advise the ALA leadership about the changes in libraries and publishing associated with the transition to digital content, and we've worked to articulate the concerns of libraries in ways that can be acted upon by the entire digital content ecosystem.

Later this month, I'll be speaking on a panel organized by DCWG at the ALA Annual Meeting in Anaheim.

Access to Digital Content: Diverse ApproachesSunday, June 24, 1:30–3:30 p.m., Anaheim Hilton, California B2012 ALA Annual Conference
              As digital content continues to grow in diversity and importance, libraries must make use of multiple strategies to support access for their users. ALA’s Digital Content and Libraries Working Group has been exploring issues of business models, advocacy, education, accessibility, privacy, and libraries as providers of content.  But innovative approaches to making digital content available are taking place in many arenas.
              Come hear about the latest developments, including an update from Working Group co-chairs Sari Feldman (Cuyahoga County Public Library) and Robert Wolven (Columbia University). Leaders and innovators from the library community will discuss some other major initiatives and developments related to digital content:  Peter Brantley (Internet Archive), Maura Marx (Digital Public Library of America), and Eric Hellman (Unglue.it). Lee Rainie will offer some perspectives based on his work with the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project, and Robert Wolven will offer final remarks to set the stage for the question and answer period.
              Copies of the new American Libraries publication “E-Content: The Digital Dialogue” will be available.

Also, Unglue.it is going to have a table at the exhibits. You can meet me, Andromeda and/or Amanda in person. We'll be in the "small press and new exhibitors" section, which is usually in the far reaches of the exhibit hall, but there will be unglue.it bookmarks and stickers as your reward if you can find us.