Library Juice 2:38 - Library Juice is now a book and a blog

Library Juice 2:38 - September 29, 1999 Contents: 1. If You Like ... 2. Sandy's Berman article on hidden censorship 3. Gay Subject Headings 4. Books from EPIC 5. CFP: Journal of Communication Inquiry issue on Alternative Media 6. "Christian Fiction" discussion on PUBLIB 7. Holy Internet Resources 8. ALA may attend Seattle's WTO meeting / possible statement against Quote for the week: "A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul." -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Homepage of the week: Hope A. Olson, PhD http://www.ualberta.ca/~holson/ ___________________________________________________________________________top 1. If You Like ... http://www.hennepin.lib.mn.us/pub/reader2reader/iyl.html Hennepin County Library has put online "a handy reference guide to authors and genres." Users may browse all the subject categories, which range from Christian Fiction to techno-thrillers, horror, and seniors. The database is also searchable by author or theme, and the recommendations include appropriate subject headings to search in the library catalog. There are also links to other resources from Hennepin County Library. A wonderful readers' advisory resource for librarians and book lovers alike! - ht Subjects: reader guidance | fiction genres Carole Leita, cleita[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu LIIWEEK Listowner and Coordinator of the Librarians' Index to the Internet http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/InternetIndex/ ___________________________________________________________________________top 2. Sandy's Berman article on hidden censorship To contemplate this Banned Books Week: "Three Kinds of Censorship that Librarians (Mostly) Don't Talk About" Minnesota Library Association Vol. 23, No. 7 August/September, 1996 http://www.lib.mankato.msus.edu:2000/mla/newsletter/hiddencensorship.html ___________________________________________________________________________top 3. Gay Subject Headings From: "Thrower, Jean" <Jean.Thrower[at]umassmed.edu> To: librarians[at]tao.ca Subject: Gay Subject Headings Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1999 08:20:53 -0400 Hi! I've just gotten an assignment to research gay and lesbian subject headings. Can anyone recommend any articles, books or other sources for this interesting subject? Thank you. Jean .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1999 08:51:26 -0500 (EST) From: "ANDREW H. LEE" <leea[at]elmer4.bobst.nyu.edu> Subject: Re: Gay Subject Headings To: librarians[at]lists.tao.ca One of my colleagues has written some very interesting things on the subject of Queer Studies in libraries, including some information about subject headings and what we have taken to calling the "HQ" ghetto. His name is Marvin Taylor and you should be able to find them using Library Lit or some otehr indexing service. I am afraid I don't have the cites at hand. Andrew H. Lee andrew.lee[at]nyu.edu Tamiment Library "Néant, la Mecque des bibliothèques!" New York University Jules Laforgue, Salomé 70 Washington Square South New York, New York 10012 (212) 998-2633 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. From: "dodge, chris" <cdodge[at]hclib.org> To: librarians[at]lists.tao.ca Subject: RE: Gay Subject Headings Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1999 09:02:59 -0500 Jean: Cal Gough and Ellen Greenblatt's _Gay and Lesbian Library Service_ (McFarland, 1990) has a related chapter. Sanford Berman's _Prejudices and antipathies_ (McFarland, 1993) contains pertinent material. Dan Tsang's chapter, "Advocate for Sexual Freedom and the ALternative Press," in Dodge & DeSirey's _Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sandy Berman..." has related material. Check Hennepin County Library subject headings via its catalog. (Access via web page: http://www.hclib.org) Also: I began a piece on this subject intended for a revised edition of Gough/Greenblatt's book, so I have some materials on the topic at home (and in my head)--contact me directly with questions. Chris Dodge Street Librarian http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Cafe/7423 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1999 11:15:23 -0500 To: librarians[at]lists.tao.ca From: Valerie Harris <vharris[at]midway.uchicago.edu> Subject: Re: Gay Subject Headings The University of Chicago Library compiled a list of our resources including _Women's Studies: Guide to Sources for Lesbian Studies_ compiled by Frank Conaway and Sem Sutter, 1999. It's quite extensive (162 p.) and includes works in the following categories: General, History and ethnology, Lesbian communities, Gay liberation movement--Gay rights--law--politics, Military, Economic affairs, Education--youth, Domestic relations, Sexual orientation--psychology and physiology, Health--social problems--criminolgy--social services, Religion, Music, Art and architecture, Media, Literature--film-theatre, Humor. You could contact your ILL to request a copy. Hope this helps, Val .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Thanks to all who have responded to my request so far! I'm in the middle of three very demanding courses in my first semester of library school, and you're giving me a tremendous boost! I have done some research on my own, but that's in between the weekly Reference exercises and the Principles of Management papers. Keep the ideas coming, because they will be put to good use! Thank you again. If I can survive these three courses, I can pick and choose my next subjects. Unfortunately, none of the courses offered deals with Anarchist Librarians. :) Jean ___________________________________________________________________________top 4. Books from EPIC The Code Book : The Evolution of Secrecy from Mary, Queen of Scots to Quantum Cryptography by Simon Singh http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0385495315/electronicprivacA "For millennia, secret writing was the domain of spies, diplomats, and generals; with the advent of the Internet, it has become the concern of the public and businesses. One cyber-libertarian responded with the freeware encryption program Pretty Good Privacy (PGP), and Singh similarly meets a sharpening public curiosity about how codes work.[. . .] Beginning with such simple ideas as monoalphabetic substitution, which can protect the communications of a boy's treehouse club but not much more, Singh underscores with stories how codemakers and codebreakers have battled each other throughout history. A tool called frequency analysis easily defeats the monoalphabetic cipher, and encryptors over time have added the Vigenere square, cipher disks, one-time pads, and public-key cryptography that underlies PGP. But each security strategy, Singh explains, contains some vulnerability that the clever code cracker can exploit, an opaque process the author splendidly illuminates. Instances of successful decipherment, as of Egyptian hieroglyphics or the German Enigma cipher system in World War II, combine with Singh's sketches of the mathematicians who have advanced the art of secrecy, from Julius Caesar to Alan Turing to contemporary mathematicians, resulting in a wonderfully understandable survey." -- Gilbert Taylor, Booklist Also available from the EPIC Bookstore: "The Privacy Law Sourcebook: United States Law, International Law, and Recent Developments," Marc Rotenberg, editor (EPIC 1999). Price: $50. http://www.epic.org/pls/ The "Physicians Desk Reference of the privacy world." An invaluable resource for students, attorneys, researchers and journalists who need an up-to-date collection of US and International privacy law, as well as a comprehensive listing of privacy resources. "Filters and Freedom - Free Speech Perspectives on Internet Content Controls," David Sobel, editor (EPIC 1999). Price: $20. http://www.epic.org/filters&freedom/ A collection of essays, studies, and critiques of Internet content filtering. These papers are instrumental in explaining why filtering threatens free expression. "Cryptography and Liberty: An International Survey of Cryptography Policy" Wayne Madsen and David Banisar, editors, (EPIC 1999). Price: $15. http://www.epic.org/cryptobook99/ An international survey of encryption policies around the world. Survey results show that in the vast majority of countries, cryptography may be freely used, manufactured, and sold without restriction, with the U.S. being a notable exception. "Privacy and Human Rights 1999: An International Survey of Privacy Laws and Developments" David Banisar, Simon Davies, editors, (EPIC 1999). Price: $15. http://www.epic.org/privacy&humanrights99/ An international survey of the privacy and data protection laws found in 50 countries around the globe. This report outlines the constitutional and legal conditions of privacy protection, and summarizes important issues and events relating to privacy and surveillance. Additional titles on privacy, open government, free expression, computer security, and crypto, as well as films and DVDs can be ordered through the EPIC Bookstore: http://www.epic.org/bookstore/ >From EPIC Alert 6.15 http://www.epic.org/alert/ ___________________________________________________________________________top 5. CFP: Journal of Communication Inquiry issue on Alternative Media CALL FOR PAPERS Forthcoming theme issue, October 2000, Volume 24, Issue 4 ALTERNATIVE MEDIA Alternative media publish and broadcast messages of resistance, humor, entertainment, and information that do not fit into traditional media perspectives. Alternative media may be seen as sources of diversity running counter to the increasingly commodified, corporate, standardized meanings made by the more traditional media industry. From pirate radio to online zines to printed publications, dissident publishers and broadcasters have taken advantage of technological and cultural changes to offer alternative views, entertainment, and information. Given the current of corporate mergers, commodification, and standardization in traditional media, the continued viability of alternative media demands further consideration. -- How have alternative media developed historically? -- Has "alternative" become traditional? -- How might one most usefully define "alternative" media? -- What sorts of worldviews and meanings are represented in alternative media in the United States and internationally? -- How have traditional media and authorities responded to alternative media? The journal invites submissions of papers on these and other topics that explore alternative media. The Journal of Communication Inquiry emphasizes interdisciplinary inquiry into communication and mass communication phenomena within critical, cultural, and historical perspectives. Such perspectives imply that an understanding of these phenomena cannot arise solely out of a narrowly focused analysis. Rather, the approaches emphasize philosophical, evaluative, empirical, legal, historical, and/or critical inquiry into relationships between mass communication and society across time and culture. The journal is blind-reviewed, widely circulated and read, and abstracted in all relevant bibliographic indexes. The journal is student-edited and is produced by the Iowa Center for Communication Studies and published by Sage Publications, Inc. SUBMISSION DEADLINE: February 1, 2000 Maximum length of papers is 7,000 words, including notes and references. Manuscripts should have a detachable title page listing author=B9s name, address, and phone number. The title, but not the identity of the author, should also appear on the first page. Other than the title page, the author=B9s name should not appear anywhere in the manuscript. Manuscripts= must be prepared following the "B" style in The Chicago Manual of Style, 14th Edition, with references and endnotes. The author is responsible for making her or his work conform to style requirements. Manuscripts will not be returned. Please submit three (3) copies of your paper to: Matthew Cecil, Editor, Journal of Communication Inquiry School of Journalism and Mass Communication The University of Iowa W615 Seashore Hall Iowa City, IA 52242 (319) 335-3341 / jci-editor[at]uiowa.edu <matthew-cecil[at]uiowa.edu> ___________________________________________________________________________top 6. "Christian Fiction" discussion on PUBLIB Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 15:50:09 -0700 (PDT) From: James Asbury <jamesasbury[at]yahoo.com> To: publib <publib[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu> Subject: Re: labels "Karen G. Schneider" wrote: > My issue with "Christian fiction" is that this is an industry title applied > to a very specific type of fiction and is not necessarily representative of > fiction produced from the broader, more inclusive framework of Christian > spirituality. It's misleading, like the repeated use of the phrase "the > Christian right" when what is meant is a handful of folks who are not > particularly spiritual but have very distinct political opinions. > > Having said that, whatever helps people find what they like to read, I > spoze, is what's best for our readership. I agree. While to me the term Christian Fiction implies that other fiction is somehow necessarily unchristian, meaning immoral or bad, or that this is what Christians read, and if you don't you must not be one, it nonetheless defines a particular genre targeted to a particular audience, and deserves attention. While some may question whether or not it should be highlighted (I think it should if there is a large enough audience for it), there is no question that it should at least enter into collection development considerations. -- James Asbury jamesasbury[at]yahoo.com .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 15:52:27 -0700 (PDT) From: Larry Gainor <lgainor[at]pub-lib.ci.fort-worth.tx.us> To: publib <publib[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu> Subject: Re: labels On Tue, 21 Sep 1999, Karen G. Schneider wrote: > My issue with "Christian fiction" is that this is an industry title applied > to a very specific type of fiction and is not necessarily representative of > fiction produced from the broader, more inclusive framework of Christian > spirituality. I just wanted to second Karen's comment. Books like Morris West's "Shoes of the Fisherman," Ernest J. Gaines' "In My Father's House," or Mailer's "Gospel According to the Son" could all be reasonably considered "Christian Fiction" as could C.S. Lewis' Perelandra trilogy, but I'm not sure they would appeal to Janette Oke's or Frank Peretti's audience. Larry Gainor Fort Worth Public Library .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 15:53:18 -0700 (PDT) From: "Mary Ann Meyers" <ljmmam[at]hypermall.net> To: publib <publib[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu> Subject: Christian Fiction <. . .They're just looking for <a good story that's mayhem-free and devoid of four-letter words, mind-numbing <violence, and explicit sex. Clean fiction? Gentle fiction? Something along <those lines... I am trying to imagine (in terms of reader's advisory) what works/authors might fit into this kind of description AND are not necessarily restrained and their content defined (censored) by the demands of a particular religious or philosophical agenda. I am not being facetious when I ask that librarians on this list please suggest authors/works who/which fit the criteria of "mayhem-free and devoid of four-letter words, mind-numbing violence, and explicit sex" and who/which are not pedantically promoting a particular lifestyle, religious viewpoint, or institutionally-approved value system. I would be interested in such a bibliography because I know we have patrons who request these works, in effect asking us to censor their reading for them. In terms of our professional call to public service, I feel the need to provide what they require; yet I'm queasy at the notion of being a participant in providing more than access to such sterile literature. Are we simply providing access or are we being asked to provide a rating system for literature? (I might--not seriously--call this genre "fictional fiction.") BTW I cast my vote for the "religious fiction" genre designation over "Christian fiction" (although, mea culpa [too papist for Christian fiction?], I created an "Adult Christian Fiction" bibliography three years ago for the branch where I was assigned). "Religious fiction" seems to serve the purpose while not promoting a particular faith or sect. Mary Ann Meyers No title, No branch ljmmam[at]hypermall.net Paraphrased from the film "Smoke Signals," screenplay adapted by Sherman Alexie from his collection of short stories *The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven*--Suzy Song: "Do you want the truth or a lie?" Thomas Builds-the-Fire: "I want all the truths and all the lies." .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 15:53:39 -0700 (PDT) From: "Daniel Cawley" <prisonerwttn[at]hotmail.com> To: publib <publib[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu> Subject: The trouble with labels A great many of our patrons ask for books without strong language, sexual situations, or ultraviolence. We buy heavily in these areas. I've heard reader advisors refer to this type of fiction as "warm milk." If libraries set up such a section of materials, shouldn't they also arrange an area for books with lots of four-letter words, wild sex, and crazy mayhem? Maybe call it "shot and a beer." Personally, I think Maeve Binchy should share the shelf with Jim Thompson. Just a thought. Daniel D. Cawley Watertown Public Library Watertown, WI .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 15:54:14 -0700 (PDT) From: Gail Hardenbergh <gailhardenbergh[at]yahoo.com> To: publib <publib[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu> Subject: Christian fiction alternative Ann Arbor Public Library has stickers which say "Gentle Read" rather than giving the books a religious designation. ===== Gail Hardenbergh, Library Director Milan Public Library 151 Wabash St. Milan, MI 48160 (734) 439-1244 phone (734) 439-5625 fax-5625 fax .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 15:57:26 -0700 From: Louise Stephens <lstephe[at]glenpub.lib.az.us> To: plib2[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu Subject: Re: [PUBLIB] Christian Fiction (fwd) Vegan fiction--very interesting!! What authors can I look for? .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 19:39:25 -0700 (PDT) From: Anne Sharp <plorre[at]yahoo.com> To: publib <publib[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu> Subject: Re: Christian fiction My understanding is that "Christian fiction" refers to a very specific genre written and read by the protestant Christians we know as "evangelical," "fundamentalist," "charismatic," or "born-again" Christians, as opposed to members of traditional Catholic and Protestant Christian churches, but who prefer to identify themselves not by any specific denominational name but as "Christians." These Christians have their own authors, publishers, bookstores, even their own organization of librarians, as I understand it! I still think it makes sense to take this Christian genre as it comes, identify it and perhaps even label and display it as such, rather than trying to make it into a big ecumenical lump with other "religious" fiction. For one thing, Christian fiction has its own specific themes, e.g. the apocalyptic Rapture-oriented stories of Tim Lahaye and Frank Peretti, which are as distinct from C.S. Lewis as William Gibson is from Agatha Christie. Put it this way. If we took the needs of the Christians a little more in earnest rather than exasperatedly telling them to get in line behind the Presbyterians and Wiccans, maybe they'd spend more time in their local libraries and less time trying to organize pickets outside them. IMHO, Anne Sharp Livonia Civic Center Libraries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1999 22:58:13 -0400 From: Karen G. Schneider <kgs[at]bluehighways.com> To: PUBLIB <plib2[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu> Subject: Christian Lit I'm sure it was a touch of humor that inspired one of our last posters to distinguish between Presbyterians and Christians... (or was that a predestined comment?). Though that's the problem with the "Christian Fiction" label--it puts a lot of us out in the cold. I doubt that tossing in a few other religious writers would alienate the readers of Jeannette Oke--and an umbrella label for all spiritual fiction might help readers find writers they weren't aware of--writers that the so-called "Christian" publishers wouldn't lead these readers to. (Remember, the whole "Christian fiction" publishing area is a for-profit industry, not a mission.) Maybe for once libraries could inspire positive change--after all, someone made up the label called "Christian Fiction," and like the word "family," it's not universally agreed that it is appropriate for *one* group to own that language. And we have room in our collections for all kinds of spiritual fiction, whether it is from Peretti or Lewis, or from writers far from our Western experience... just as we have room for all patrons, as long as they believe... in LIBRARIES. Which leads to a reminder that PUBLIB has an archive at http:/sunsite.berkeley.edu/PubLib , and to a notice that due to the travel schedules of the moderators, there will be a brief hiatus in service from Friday mid-afternoon to Saturday evening (9-24 -- 9-25). (You might say that this week, PUBLIB is observing the Sabbath!) Messages sent to the list during that period will sit marinating in the Internet broth until our return. Happy Friday! Karen G. Schneider kgs[at]bluehighways.com Assistant Director of Technology Shenendehowa Public Library, Clifton Park, NY Happiness is a new hard drive! .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1999 16:30:18 -0700 (PDT) From: "Susan Taylor" <Susan.Taylor[at]edythedyer.lib.me.us> To: publib <publib[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu> Subject: Re: Christian Fiction >. I am not being facetious when I ask that librarians on this list please suggest >authors/works who/which fit the criteria of "mayhem-free and devoid of four->letter words, mind-numbing violence, and explicit sex" and who/which are not >pedantically promoting a particular lifestyle, religious viewpoint, or >institutionally-approved value system. We haven't had complaints from patrons looking for this kind of fiction when we suggest these authors : Philippa Carr, Pearl Buck, Catherine Cookson, Sara Hylton, Grace Livingston Hill, Emily Loring, Ruth Moore, Elisabeth Ogilvie, Miss Read, D. E. Stevenson, Mary Stewart, Jessica Stirling, Malcolm Macdonald, Rosamunde Pilcher, or Jan Karon. Susan Taylor Edythe Dyer Library Hampden, ME 04444 Commit random acts of kindness and senseless beauty .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Why not try Inspiration Fiction? Some of the mass market romances are already called inspirational romances. We need to be inclusive and "Christian" fiction certainly may exclude a great deal if we hold it to the narrow definition decreed by some sects or groups. .> . . . . . They may be light and pleasant, but some of our patrons who want "christian" fiction will NOT read Binchy nor Pilcher.. I personally like the books integrated. Doing a lot of subgenres can get tricky..for the librarians, patrons , and shelvers. I think it may depend on the on the size and scope of each individual library how the material gets shelved and/or marked. Just so it gets out and moves. I think the whole area and concept of "christian" books can be exceedingly tricky . Different meanings for different people.> Laura Hibbets McCaffery Readers Services Allen County Public Library Fort Wayne, Indiana "All opinions are mine alone. Others are free to agree..or disagree." "...all things are to to be examined and called into question. There are no limits set to thought." Edith Hamilton, THE GREEK WAY. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Re: Christian fiction...that label makes me want to take to heavy drinking--which, as an Episcopalian, I could do, and still attain unto the Heavenly Places, *and* it's probably also the Anglicanism which arouses my response to "Christian Fiction." BUT...I like the idea, presented in publib, of using *Religious* Fiction as an alternative. Here I am NOT being facetious. Madeleine L'Engle has written (_Walking on Water_) that there is no *Christian* writing or *Christian* music or *Christian* art--there's either bad writing/music/art, or good art/music/writing. That's kind-of a side comment, but it leads me back to the "Religious Fiction," which, while still a label, is not as specific a label as the alternative, and leaves more room for interpretation. (And, as a kind of anti-jargon contrarian, I am sick to death of the word "inclusive," but I guess I'm talking--pardon me, _writing_--about inclusivity here.) John Richmond, Director Palestine Public Library Palestine, TX .where Dynix seems to have gone haywire on calculating fines, and where I attended [last night] a community Y2K (or YK2, as one of the speakers put it, all unawares) meeting sponsored by a city councilwoman, where two local clerics on the panel--why were they there, I wonder--talked about the end of the world, sin, and gloom, while the reps from the utilities and phone cos., e.g., gave very sane presentations...never a dull moment.... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Date: Sat, 25 Sep 1999 07:22:22 -0700 (PDT) From: Fred G Hill <hill[at]lemming.uvm.edu> To: publib <publib[at]sunsite.berkeley.edu> Subject: Re: Christian Fiction Does anyone wonder about the sheer volume of e-mail generated by the mention of the word, 'Christian'? ...Fred Fred G Hill hill[at]lemming.uvm.edu Fletcher Free Library 802 863-3403 vox 235 College St, Burlington, VT 05401 802 865-7227 fax ___________________________________________________________________________top 7. Holy Internet Resources All Things Spiritual http://www.allspiritual.com Search or browse this directory of spiritual resources. For additional background, see the about page at http://www.allspiritual.com/aboutus.php3 Submitted by: The ResPool Listowner rjtiess[at]warwick.net .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Master's Seminary On-line; Links to Research Sites: http://www.mastersem.edu/other.htm >From the sites explaination: "Provides resources for Biblical and Theological Studies, as well as useful geneeral information sites. To that end the below links have been provided. They are broken down by category. Inclusion of a link here does not necessairily mean that The Master's Seminary endorses all of the material that may be found there, nor links to other sites that they may provide." This is a very large site and takes time to load, but is a mother lode of sites for biblical and theological resources. Submitted by: -- Trescott Research Information Consulting Buisness/Library/Archive Development - Publishing Venture Capital and Grants Research tresres[at]gte.net From ResPool - http://members.tripod.com/~rtiess/respool.htm .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. InterFaithNet(sm) is a defined search engine currently providing access to reviewed websites for Judaism, Islam and Christianity. All resources are categorized by particular faith, and by topic. They can be searched by keyword or browsed by topic. http://www.exotrope.com/cgi-bin/search/ifn/form.cgi Melody Lewis From ResPool - http://members.tripod.com/~rtiess/respool.htm .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. From the Philosophy, Religion & Theology Librarians List: Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1999 10:14:00 -0700 Reply-To: "PRT-LIBN Philosophy, Religion & Theology Librarians List" <PRT-LIBN[at]LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU>, Charles Bellinger <ckb[at]REGENT-COLLEGE.EDU> From: Charles Bellinger <ckb[at]REGENT-COLLEGE.EDU> Organization: Gary Klein, editor of BUSLIB-L & PRT-LIBN / Hatfield Library / Willamette University / Salem, Oregon 9731 / phone #503-370-6743 Subject: Wabash Center Internet Guide To: PRT-LIBN[at]LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU Many of you on this listserv are probably already aware of this site, but just in case you aren't, you can check it out here: http://www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/Internet/front.htm It is a comprehensive annotated guide to Internet resources in religious studies. Any comments you wish to make about it would be welcome: mailto:ckb[at]regent-college.edu -- Charles Bellinger Public Services Librarian Regent Carey Library 5800 University Blvd. Vancouver, BC V6T 2E4 Canada phone 604-221-3341 ckb[at]regent-college.edu = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = - = You can search through PRT-LIBN's archives at: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/prt-libn.html .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. Enjoy: Church and synagogue Library Assoc. http://www.worldaccessnet.com/~csla/ _Christian Librarian_ http://bubl.ac.uk/journals/lis/ae/chrlib/n2399.htm Librarians Christian Fellowship Newsletter http://bubl.ac.uk/journals/lis/kn/lcfn/ Evangelical Christian Publishing Association http://www.ecpa.org/ Evangelical Church Library Assoc. http://members.aol.com/ECLAssoc/index.html Church Libraries http://members.aol.com/ECLAssoc/mag.html ___________________________________________________________________________top 8. ALA may attend Seattle's WTO meeting / possible statement against Date: Sat, 25 Sep 1999 22:28:13 -0500 To: ALA Council List <alacoun[at]ala1.ala.org> From: Al Kagan <akagan[at]uiuc.edu> Subject: World Trade Organization The following point 21 is from Bill Gordon's report. [A report to ALA Council on ALA activities. -Ed.] I think it is important that ALA has status at the WTO Seattle Meeting. The Canadian Library Association has taken a principled stand against the Multilateral Agreement on Investment, and the ALA Social Responsiblilites Round Table has voted a resolution and produced a factsheet modeled on the Canadian fact sheet. The WTO is trying to implement similar policies. Please see the fact sheet following and attachement. I hope the ALA IRC, Executive Board, and President will have a look at this and join forces with our neighbors to the North in Seattle. 21) The World Trade Organization (WTO) has informed OITP that ALA has been credentialed as an official NGO (Non-Government Organization) with observer status to attend the upcoming Ministerial level trade meeting in Seattle. International trade agreements are increasingly influencing intellectual property policy, universal service and other telecommunications policy, and even local procurement policies for information goods and services, and OITP has been trying to raise the visibility of library concerns in these areas. The fact that we have been granted such status is recognition of our growing voice. RESOLUTION ON THE MULTILATERAL AGREEMENT ON INVESTMENTS (MAI) WHEREAS the Multilateral Agreement on Investments (MAI) is a pending global trade agreement which will require signatory governments to relinquish a degree of sovereignty to multinational corporations; and WHEREAS the MAI is being negotiated in secret under the auspices of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a grouping of the world's 29 wealthiest countries; and WHEREAS the MAI will require governments to provide equal treatment for domestic and foreign businesses, meaning that laws offering preferential treatment to businesses or organizations in a given locale or situation would be subject to lawsuits to be heard in courts and as-of-yet unnamed international tribunals, opening them up to unlimited liability for the continuation of democratically created laws; and WHEREAS the MAI is intended to apply to all levels of government (national, regional, local, community) regardless of whether or not the governmental body in question ratified the treaty, meaning that local ordinances may be challenged by multinational corporations; and WHEREAS many public and academic libraries receive the majority of their funding from governmental bodies, who will be constrained in the policy-making arena by the threat of foreign corporations taking legal action against them if they feel local interests are being placed ahead of their "rights"; and WHEREAS the MAI will apply retroactively to contracts and laws implemented before the MAI is ratified; and WHEREAS the MAI is anti-democratic and gives multinational corporations rights that citizens to not have while absolving them of most responsibilities; and WHEREAS libraries and librarians are vital components in maintaining democratic systems by providing the information needed to maintain an informed and involved populace, and so have a significant stake in rebuffing attacks on democracy and the power of citizens to control their lives; and WHEREAS the British Columbia Library Association Executive has already voiced its opposition to MAI; therefore be it RESOLVED that the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association declares its opposition to the continued negotiation of the MAI until such time as the negotiations are opened up to representation by developing countries and by non-governmental organizations dedicated to protecting intellectual freedom, environmental, labor and consumer interests; and be it further RESOLVED that SRRT urges the ALA Council, current President, and Presidents-Elect to publicly oppose MAI as a threat to democratic values, local autonomy, and human rights. Passed by SRRT Action Council, 6/27/98 Washington DC WHAT WILL THE MAI DO TO LIBRARIES? The Canadian Library Association, British Columbia Library Association and Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association have recently passed resolutions against the adoption of the MAI. Read on for more information. WHAT IS THE MAI? The MAI, or Multilateral Agreement on Investment, is a treaty being negotiated by Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries to facilitate the flow of capital across borders and around the world. Paving the way for the "global economy," the MAI proposes to create a "level playing field" by drawing up investment guidelines and by standardizing the treatment of foreign investment globally. But this treaty would be devastating for the citizens of the signatory countries. All sectors of society would be affected as capital finds itself free to flow everywhere, even into areas that are now considered public. Often referred to as "NAFTA on steroids," the MAI is a similar type of treaty, but one that goes well beyond NAFTA in granting transnational corporations incredible powers. Most notably it would prevent governments from creating new laws in conflict with the articles of the MAI and enable corporations to take governments to court for trying to enforce existing laws. Sounds incredible. But it's true. The MAI would affect all countries, starting with the OECD member states and working its way into the developing world. Western Governors Association resolution 97-010 (June 24, 1997) states the following state sovereignty concerns that must be addressed before adopting the MAI: o Ability to favor local businesses, o Ability to use investment incentives and performance requirements to achieve legitimate public purposes, o Ability to preserve current regulatory authority over economic activity, land use, and the environment, o Ability to protect states and state officials from private lawsuits and damages awarded by international tribunals. WOULD LIBRARIES BE AFFECTED BY THE MAI? Yes. In the worse case scenario, it is possible that public libraries could disappear altogether. Under the MAI's "national treatment" clause, foreign corporations have the right to the same treatment as national companies. They must not be discriminated against and must receive the same perks as nationals. Because libraries receive government funding, and because such funding falls within the provisions of the MAI, libraries could find themselves in jeopardy. Consider the following scenario: a foreign information services company enters the United States and sets up operation. The company defines its services as similar to those offered by libraries. It then demands equal treatment with existing libraries under the MAI. Equal treatment would include government funding, and the government would then be faced with the following options in response to this demand: 1. Subsidize information services companies to the same degree as libraries. 2. Decrease funding to libraries, and then extend this decreased level of assistance to the foreign corporations as well. 3. Cut funding to libraries altogether and thereby avoid subsidizing information services companies in competition with libraries. Libraries are already struggling under current funding levels. The worst case scenario could be a complete closure of public libraries due to lack of funds. Another possibility is that libraries would take the initiative and greatly increase their own fund-raising, including fee-for-service schemes, a trend that has already found roots in many library systems. The end result would be reduced service to the public. Citizens could potentially lose access to libraries and have to pay the information services companies for the information they need. Alternatively, the public would be required to pay libraries for services that were once free. Libraries would be in competition with corporations, and information would be a commodity in the marketplace. At the moment, there is some attempt at equitable access to information for all citizens. If the above scenario were to play itself out, information access could be restricted to all but the richest in our society. Consider the possibility of increasing the privatization of education, including schools and post secondary institutions vying for paying "customers." How will academic libraries fare? One day academic libraries might serve only those who can prove they've paid the price of admission. What about cooperation between libraries? Will interlibrary loan become a thing of the past? OTHER POTENTIAL THREATS Copyright legislation could come under fire, specifically the fair use clause that allows library users to make a copy of a part of a work for personal use. A corporation (such as a publisher) could easily see such copying as interference in its ability to make a profit, and could challenge it at an international tribunal under the MAI's "expropriation" clause. Another concern stems from the MAI's lack of performance requirements for transnational corporations. At the moment, some libraries are required to use local distributors to acquire their materials. Given the above scenario where information services companies could be competing with libraries, the foreign corporations would not be required to use local distributors, buy local materials, or support local authors. Clearly, the collections in libraries could suffer, to say nothing of the book trade and the health of our literary communities. The scenarios presented here could play themselves out the world over, differing in details but having the same overall effect. There would be a reduction in the quality of life of the general population and the health and vitality of the society, all in the name of the global corporation's right to make a profit. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO VOICE YOUR CONCERN Concerned citizens are welcome to submit briefs stating their concerns. Voice your opposition to the treaty by contacting Charlene Barshefsky, United States Trade Representative, 600 17th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20508. The USTR also has a website with feedback form at http://www.ustr.gov/cgi-bin/feedback.cgi. In Canada, the following provinces that have spoken out against the MAI: Prince Edward Island, British Columbia, the Yukon and Saskatchewan. The British Columbia Library Association (April 1998) and Canadian Library Association (June 1998) have passed strong resolutions against the MAI. There is no reason why states and state library associations could not organize in the same way here. Finally, stay informed on the issues of globalization and the MAI. Spread the word and educate others. Contact your representatives in Washington! Urge the Library of Congress to establish and assign subject headings for MULTILATERAL AGREEMENT ON INVESTMENT, NORTH AMRICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT, AND GLOBALIZATION (ECONOMICS). Knowledge and public outcry are the world's best weapons against this treaty and others like it. The following Public Citizen website contains up-to-date information on the MAI, including the draft text of the agreement: http://www.citizen.org/pctrade.mai.mailhome.html The Alliance for Democracy can supply useful pamphlets and information packets: http://www.world.std.com/~olchaptr/ Check out the resolutions of the Canadian Library Association, British Columbia Library Association, and Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association at http://www.jessamyn.com/srrt/… Social Responsibilities Round Table, American Library Association, September 1998 http://www.jessamyn.com/srrt/ Al Kagan Africana Unit, Room 328 University of Illinois Library 1408 W. Gregory Drive Urbana, IL 61801, USA tel. 217-333-6519 fax. 217-333-2214 e-mail. akagan[at]uiuc.edu ___________________________________________________________________________ L I B R A R Y J U I C E | http://libr.org/Juice/ | | Original material and added value in Library Juice | is copyright-free; beyond that the publisher makes | no guarantees. Library Juice is a free weekly | publication edited and published by Rory Litwin. | Original senders are credited wherever possible; | opinions are theirs. Your comments and suggestions | are welcome. Juice[at]libr.org This page was created by SimpleText2Html 1.0.3 on 28-Sep-99.