Category Archives: reading

Some presentations on reading (and linking) libraries

Posted on October 4, 2013 by John Mark Ockerbloom

Have you ever wanted to read a library?  I know I have.  More than once when I was young, and introduced to a new library, I’d contemplate, if just for a moment, whether I could read every book in it.  … Continue reading →

Posted in discovery, libraries, metadata, reading | Comments Off on Some presentations on reading (and linking) libraries

In which I finally buy an ebook

Posted on July 30, 2012 by John Mark Ockerbloom

In my last post, I discussed why I wanted to buy ebooks I could truly own, and my subsequent attempts to buy such a  copy of John Scalzi’s Redshirts from a readers’-rights-friendly retailer.  I initially had a hard time finding … Continue reading →

Posted in copyright, formats, online books, reading, science fiction | 8 Comments

In which I try to buy an ebook

Posted on July 29, 2012 by John Mark Ockerbloom

Not long ago I went to the bookstore and bought some books. This is how: I found some books I liked on the shelves, brought them to the front counter, and handed the clerk some money.  The clerk put my … Continue reading →

Posted in copyright, online books, reading, science fiction | 1 Comment

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

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

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

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

Close readers

Posted on January 28, 2008 by John Mark Ockerbloom

There’s been a lot of public fretting lately over the state of reading. People don’t read as much as they once did, we’re told. When it’s pointed out that in fact lots of people are reading online, we’re sometimes told … Continue reading →

Posted in open access, reading, sharing | Comments Off on Close readers