tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434701420960162731.post6946580089907071068..comments2024-03-29T10:00:15.053+00:00Comments on The GENES Blog: British libraries disappearing fastChris Patonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05073425769475523109noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434701420960162731.post-78736020012847227092017-01-18T10:25:27.609+00:002017-01-18T10:25:27.609+00:00Thanks for the reply Chris. I actually wrote some ...Thanks for the reply Chris. I actually wrote some of my experiences up at http://parallax-viewpoint.blogspot.com/2017/01/erudite-erasure.html, and my conclusion was pretty much the same as yours. It just seems to me that libraries are trying to survive in the digital world, but their strategy for online resources is resting heavily on old-world organisation (no central representation, no consistent IDs, your "library" is the physical one near to you, etc), and that is hampering their efforts. Needs a rethink IMHO.Tony Proctorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18330460400737261264noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434701420960162731.post-51218857762236327712017-01-18T10:18:07.101+00:002017-01-18T10:18:07.101+00:00I suspect the issue lies with the fact that librar...I suspect the issue lies with the fact that libraries are currently funded by local authorities, and not from a national source. I also wonder if the licensing terms are dictated by local authorities, or simply adhered to by them when designing and implementing such schemes? Genuinely don't know! A few years ago I did have access to a licensed digital collection through an English county library site, despite living in Scotland - I think I may have slipped through when someone wasn't looking!Chris Patonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05073425769475523109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-434701420960162731.post-89100234928588857892017-01-10T14:35:07.301+00:002017-01-10T14:35:07.301+00:00Just came across this old post of your, Chris. I h...Just came across this old post of your, Chris. I have a big problem with our libraries that involves online resources. Although access to physical items (e.g. books) usually require you to call in, this should not be the case with digital resources. However, restrictive licensing T&Cs for many of the databases either mean that only members of that particular branch can access them, or even that online access can only done from their premises (e.g. BNA) -- hardly "online" at all, really. I have a UK library card, but since each library can pick-and-choose what resources it hosts, and the associated T&Cs will exclude most other card holders, then it makes a joke of having libraries at all -- especially if you can't simply catch a bus or train to the ones hosting the data you need. It all seems daft because it's clearly possible to make National access work, and possible even make a small profit given that some databases are virtually impossible to access on a personal basis. Arrgghh!Tony Proctorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18330460400737261264noreply@blogger.com