PUBLISHERS SUE GEORGIA STATE—THE SAGA CONTINUES, OR "SHOW ME THE MONEY"

The academic publishing industry, like the music industry (and we know that battle is already lost) is determined to preserve the kind of control over its product that allows for often usurious pricing schemes.

Unfortunately, the growth of open access publishing and institutional repositories has the potential to make publishers superfluous. But you can't blame the industry for trying to hold on to a system that has been so profitable. The latest salvo has been taking place at Georgia State, and involves e-reserves: http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/43500-a-failure-to-communicate.html#comments.

And no, I am not expressing my inner Marxist by rejecting the reality of copyright and private property.

But we all know that publishers take material produced by employees of universities (professors), repackage it, and then sell it back to universities for often rapacious sums. There is value added by the publishers, but not at levels commensurate with most publisher pricing schemes.

And since self-publishing, institutional publishing, and open access publishing are so accessible, it may be that we're seeing the publishing industry white-knuckling it at this point, clinging to a system that is on its way out. It was nice (for them) while it lasted.

PREVENTING PLAGIARISM

No one wants to think about heavy subjects in the summer--certainly not in all this heat. But we must persevere in preparation for the semester(s) to come.

Here is an excellent article from the Chronicle, complete with a number of concrete suggestions, about the all-important subject of plagiarism: http://chronicle.com/blogPost/Preventing-Plagiarism/24695/?sid=pm&utm_source=pm&utm_medium=en

COSMIC EVENT

With thanks for George Atchley of Samford's Christenberry Planetarium:

"A new moon on June 12 will help observing the first visit of comet McNaught (C/2009 R1) to the inner solar system, complete with a 100-million-mile “close encounter” with Earth. Search the northeastern sky before sunrise (use binoculars if possible) for a diffuse circular patch of light gliding through the constellation Perseus. A small telescope will reveal a comet with a green head and a long, wispy tail pointing north. Although currently at the threshold of naked eye visibility, by the end of the month McNaught could brighten to about the same magnitude as the stars of the Big Dipper, but this weekend offers great viewing because of its darkness. "

INSTITUTE OF GENEALOGY AND HISTORICAL RESEARCH

The Genealogists are Coming! The Samford Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), June 13-18, provides an educational forum for the discovery, critical evaluation, and use of genealogical sources and methodology through a week of intensive study led by nationally prominent genealogical educators. The faculty is composed of outstanding nationally known genealogy educators.

Initiated in 1962, the institute regularly enrolls over 200 students from around the country. Samford librarians and library staff are integral to the organization and management of IGHR, so if you visit the Samford campus or library next week, you will see us doing everything from setting up and serving breaktime fare to driving golf carts. Join us in welcoming our genealogists to the Samford campus!

ACCESS WORLD NEWS RESEARCH COLLECTION TRIAL

This collection provides over 5,000 news sources from local, in-state, national and international newspapers, broadcast transcripts, newswires, news blogs, web-only and video content. The library's trial runs through July and is available on and off campus: http://library.samford.edu/purl/trial/access.

WolframAlpha Computational Knowledge Project

The WolframAlpha Computational Knowledge Project is truly amazing. Click here to watch a demonstration.