Hot Topics of the Week

by Jonathan H. Harwell, Rollins College

In case you haven’t yet explored the Digital Public Library of America, the Guardian has a nice rundown, including some of the DPLA’s ideas for the future, such as the “authors’ alliance” and the “library licence.”

By the way, several years ago I saw Harper Lee being honored by an award in Birmingham, Alabama.  She was introduced with a long and beautiful reflection by Wayne Greenhaw (another great Alabama author).  Famously quiet in public, Ms. Lee stood up afterward and simply said, “I’m speechless.”  Now she’s in the news again.

Barbara Fister had a little more to say in her LOEX keynote last week.  I’ll confess I haven’t had time to absorb her “outrageous claims” yet, but everybody’s talking about it.  Here’s the full text.  We can read it together.

Occam’s Reader.  Keep an eye on this project!

And finally, the White House has made a stand for open data.  Take a look.

Now back to the sessions at our annual ICUF Libraries meeting in sunny Fort Myers, Florida, as many of us academic sorts are winding down from a busy spring semester.  Cheers!