NEWS
Shadow library arrests made
A SHADOW library that illegally shares access to pirated books and journal articles and which describes itself as “the world’s largest ebook library” and “the world’s largest scientific articles store”, has had a number of domain names seized by the US Department of Justice and FBI. Two Russian nationals were arrested in Argentina in November charged with oper- ating the Z-Library website, which reported having nearly 12 million books and 85 mil- lion articles. Wikipedia describes Z-Library as “especially popular in emerging econo- mies and among academics”. It has been reported that a number of ‘workarounds’ have been developed that continue access to the content.
Lambeth libraries get refurb cash
FOLLOWING a report criticising “poor-quality environments” across Lambeth’s library estate, council officers are recommending it spends £1.28m on refurbishing four libraries. Brixton Library will receive £579,000, Streatham Library will receive £492,000, Durning Library will benefit from an £189,000. Top of the list of refurbishments in these are lettable spaces. South Lambeth Library has been allocated £20,000 to replace all existing shelving.
Customer service changes in Swindon
SWINDON Borough Council has proposed to move staff from the in-house customer service area at Wat Tyler House to the five “core” libraries it runs.
In a report the borough’s cabinet mem- ber for organisational excellence said the council has seen “a significant reduction in face-to-face interactions” to about 200 ( 28 per cent of pre-pandemic figures) add- ing that most relate to blue badge enquir- ies, parking permits and bus passes.” The cabinet member said: “The service will be the same, but it’ll be much easier to access – if you’re in the centre got to central library, if you’re in Freshbrook you can go to West Swindon Library.”
10 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL
Million pound savings hit for Jisc scheme
A GROUP-purchasing agreement
administered by Jisc has saved more than £1m for universities since it was launched in 2017.
The Digital Archival Group Purchasing Scheme delivers savings to any Higher Education Institutions looking to buy primary source collections. It runs from November to July, each academic year, providing a window of opportunity for universities to make savings. A total of 56 institutions have taken advantage of the group purchasing power over the last five years, achieving overall savings of over £1m. Each insti- tution can save up to 30 per cent off the cost of collections. The latest round has just launched
for this academic year, and any librar- ies looking to develop collections over the coming year are being reminded to take advantage of the scheme. This
year’s scheme features collections from Microform (British Online Archives), De Gruyter and East View. Karen Colbron, digital content manager
at Jisc, said: “This fantastic £1million milestone illustrates the real savings the group publishing scheme achieves for our members. Our model benefits all members, and every purchase boosts the savings for all. The scheme gives them transparency and clarity around pricing and saves universities potentially up to 30 per cent on digital archival col- lections.
“Our model licence also gives them a consistent and standard approach to buying from multiple publishers. It helps give members access to better val- ue resources, benefiting research across the UK.” To find out how to take part visit https://
bit.ly/3u3PagI.
Changes to bill over freedom of speech fears leave online harm campaigners worried
THE government has cut measures aimed at reducing online harm from the Online Safety Bill. Initial plans for the bill had looked to
force technology companies to remove harmful material from their platforms – even if the material was not illegal in this country. There had been criti- cism over the bill, with questions raised about the impact on freedom of speech and putting censorship control in the hands of private companies. Platforms such as YouTube, Face- book, and Twitter would originally have been responsible for removing legal, but harmful content – such as material about self-harm, promoting eating dis- orders or misogynistic posts.
That has now been stripped from the proposed bill, which the government hopes will become law before summer. And while free speech advocates seem to have won their arguments over the bill, the move has ignited controversy elsewhere, with public opposition from the Labour Part and the Samaritans. Some campaigners against online harm fear the amendments could lead to more people being put at risk.
The bill includes additional protections
for under 18s, but the Samaritans’ and Labour both fear the bill has been wa- tered down. Samaritans chief executive Julie Bentley, said: “The damaging im- pact that this type of content has doesn’t end on your 18th birthday”.
December 2022
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