Category «Libraries»

Public Libraries Offer Free Online Resources Not Available From Web Engines

A new article from the 8/15/05 issue of Forbes, Google Isn’t Everything, serves as a useful reminder that public libraries throughout the country offer users access to a vast range of online subscription services, absolutely free. While Yahoo is beta testing a service that permits users to locate news, articles and other resources from selected …

Subjects: Legal Research, Libraries, Search Engines

Google Print for Libraries Project Encounters Continued Opposition

Another follow-up to groups voicing opposition to Google’s project to digitize major library collections, this time from the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers (ALPSP), which is “the international trade association for not-for-profit publishers and those who work with them.” The group’s July 11, 2005 “response to Google Print for Libraries digitisation project” (3 …

Subjects: Copyright, Legal Research, Libraries, Search Engines

Portions of Patriot Act on Intelligence Law Made Permanent by House Committee Vote Today

H.R. 3199, To extend and modify authorities needed to combat terrorism, and for other purposes. Introduced July 11, 2005 U.S. Newswire – “The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation (H.R. 3199) reauthorizing the USA-PATRIOT Act by a 23-to-14 vote with 2 Members voting present. The Committee adopted some of the dozens of amendments it considered …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Libraries, Patriot Act, Privacy

Current Administration Classifying Documents at Unprecedented Rate

New York Times editorial today, The Dangerous Comfort of Secrecy: “The Bush administration is classifying the documents to be kept from public scrutiny at the rate of 125 a minute. The move toward greater secrecy has nearly doubled the number of documents annually hidden from public view – to well more than 15 million last …

Subjects: E-Government, E-Records, Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research, Libraries

NY Times Editorial Today on Patriot Act

“Unnecessary Powers: The Patriot Act already gives government too much power to spy on ordinary Americans, but things could get far worse. Congress is considering adding a broad new investigative power, known as the administrative subpoena, that would allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation to gain access to anyone’s financial, medical, employment and even library …

Subjects: Civil Liberties, Congress, Legislation, Libraries, Patriot Act, Privacy

FERC Final Rule on FOIA Access to Critical Energy Documents

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Final rule, issued June 21, 2005. [Link] SUMMARY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) is issuing this final rule amending its regulations for gaining access to critical energy infrastructure information (CEII). These changes are being made based on comments filed in response to the March 3, 2005, notice seeking public comment …

Subjects: Freedom of Information, Government Documents, Legal Research, Libraries