Editor's Note: Never a dull moment for libraries; new columnist weighs in

Josh Hadro -- Library Journal, 04/23/2009

Academic library news this week brings word of sweeping changes underway (the cascading mergers of regional networks, the approaching Google Book Search settlement), and sweeping changes yet to come (OCLC's announcement of an all-in-one library system based on WorldCat local). 

Rarely do we see so many stories in one week ranging from individual library concerns up to a level encompassing all institutions, not to mention the universe of readers and researchers who stand to gain access to the materials governed by the forthcoming Book Rights Registry.

As columnist Steven Bell points out, individual institutions have major financial concerns as students mull the costs and consequences of their college choices. At the consortial level, schools and libraries are banding together as they seek out cover from economic fallout, resulting in super-consortia like Lyrasis.

Pricing changes from OCLC also affect the members of these regional organizations and consortia, as no doubt will OCLC's announcement today of the "quick start" service that could "potentially reshape the library automation landscape," according to industry expert Marshall Breeding.

As if those changes weren't sweeping enough, the impending judicial review of the Google Book Search is prompting comments from interested parties, which includes just about everyone these days. Barbara Fister, librarian at Gustavus Adolphus College and an author herself, challenges her peers in her first Peer to Peer Review column.

So how do all these changes affect your library and its services?

As we prepare for next week's Newswire we'd love to hear your thoughts on these stories, either by posting comments or via an email.

Until next week,
Josh Hadro
(646) 746-6553
josh.hadro@reedbusiness.com
Google Talk: josh.hadro

Read more Newswire stories:

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