Category Archives: online books

Google Books, and missing the opportunities you don’t see

Posted on September 15, 2009 by John Mark Ockerbloom

The Google Books settlement fairness hearing is still a few weeks away, but in the last few weeks the deal has been talked and shouted about with ever-higher volume.  Still, it wasn’t until the other day, in a House Judiciary … Continue reading →

Posted in copyright, online books, open access | 2 Comments

Do we need a “reader’s rights registry”?

Posted on May 5, 2009 by John Mark Ockerbloom

This spring’s Digital Library Federation forum, the last under DLF as an independent organization,  included a session for “lightning talks”, where speakers take 5 minutes or less to present an idea or make a demonstration.  Here are the remarks I … Continue reading →

Posted in censorship, copyright, metadata, online books, open access, reading, sharing | 3 Comments

David Reed: Some extracts from his life and letters

Posted on April 23, 2009 by John Mark Ockerbloom

Last summer I was looking for a particular book. I couldn’t find it in any library in my State. Went interlibrary loans and found one copy at the library of Congress. Only one copy in the whole country. One of … Continue reading →

Posted in online books, people | 43 Comments

How to find complete multi-volume works in Google Books

Posted on March 30, 2009 by John Mark Ockerbloom

While Google’s agreement on copyrighted books has been the subject of much discussion lately, they’ve also been continuing to add public domain titles at a brisk pace.  For instance, they announced in February that they now had 1.5 million public … Continue reading →

Posted in online books | 3 Comments

The Google Books settlement: A symposium, and a call for library action

Posted on March 18, 2009 by John Mark Ockerbloom

Last Friday I went to a fascinating symposium at the Columbia Law School: “The Google Books Settlement: What Will it Mean for the Long Term?” The symposium included presentations by US copyright register Marybeth Peters, and antitrust expert Randal Picker … Continue reading →

Posted in libraries, metadata, online books, open access, reading, sharing | 2 Comments

Neil Gaiman wins Newbery medal; more Newbery honorees go online

Posted on January 27, 2009 by John Mark Ockerbloom

I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Denver for ALA Midwinter.    While I was there, they announced the winner of this year’s Newbery medal: Neil Gaiman‘s Graveyard Book.  I’ve been hoping to get around to this book– but … Continue reading →

Posted in awards, copyright, online books | 1 Comment

Why Banned Books Week matters

Posted on September 29, 2008 by John Mark Ockerbloom

It’s Banned Books Week again, and Amnesty International, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression and the American Library Association are among the groups noting the occasion. I’ve also updated the links on my ongoing exhibit Banned Books Online in … Continue reading →

Posted in censorship, crimes and misdemeanors, libraries, online books, reading | 8 Comments

Changing the subject(s)

Posted on August 19, 2008 by John Mark Ockerbloom

When I implemented subject maps for browsing the Online Books Page by subject a while back, I had a big problem to face: I didn’t actually have subject terms for the books. How could I implement subject browsing without subjects? … Continue reading →

Posted in discovery, libraries, meta, online books | 2 Comments

Celebrating freedom, in various ways

Posted on July 2, 2008 by John Mark Ockerbloom

This week marks both the anniversary of Canadian confederation (Canada Day, July 1), and the anniversary of American independence (Independence Day, July 4, or should that be July 2?) This week I’m also finishing up subject cataloging of online books … Continue reading →

Posted in online books | Comments Off on Celebrating freedom, in various ways

A break, and coming attractions

Posted on June 5, 2008 by John Mark Ockerbloom

I’m about to head off to the wilds (okay, the farms) of Saskatchewan to relax with family on a much-welcomed break. I’ve got to the point in packing where we’re trying to figure out which books to bring. (Which involves … Continue reading →

Posted in architecture, online books, reading | 1 Comment