Library Juice 3:37 - September 27, 2000
Contents:
1. Murdock's Lies and the Representation of Information
2. Disinfo on Banned Books Week
3. Libraries in the West Bank and Gaza: Obstacles and Possibilities
4. UNESCO Archives Portal
5. Call for Nominations for Award for Library Service to Labor
6. FAIFE-L
7. Access, Internet, and Public Libraries
8. Foil the Filter Contest
9. Internet filtering talking points
10. SANE MINDS AT RISK: Towards a sex-positive librarianship
11. Center for the Analysis of Commercialism in Education
12. New URL for Pernicious Librarian
13. Of Band-Aids and Listservs
14. Librarian's Day
15. Some Yahoo
Quote for the week:
"We believe information can even be stored and then, later on, retrieved:
witness the library which is commonly regarded as an information storage
and retrieval system. In this, however, we are mistaken. A library
may store books, microfiches, documents, films, slides, and catalogues
but it cannot store information. One can turn a library upside down:
no information will come out. The only way one can obtain information
from a library is to look at those books, microfiches, documents, slides,
etc."-Heinz Von Foerster, in _The Myths of Information: Technology and
Postindustrial Culture_. ed. Kathleen Woodward, Madison, Wisconsin:
Coda Press, 1980.
Home page of the week: Panayiota Polydoratou
http://www.soi.city.ac.uk/~dy661/____________________________________________________________________________top
1. Murdock's Lies and the Representation of Information
http://www.spaceless.com/papers/4.htm
Murdock's Lies and the Representation of Information, by Australian
professor Gordon Fletcher, takes a critical, postmodern view of the recent
question, "What is Information?" Information Theory has encouraged us to
look at information as something uniform, but this distracts us from what
is actually represented by it. This paper looks at examples of information
as artefacts, from a material culture perspective, and as stories, all with
the point of providing insight into the social nature of what now
circulates electronically in commodified form.Here is an excerpt from the conclusion:
"Information is never trivial, it is not 'just' lumps of binary or
analogue data. Information is always social. As with all stories and
artefacts, what information reveals about human practice and experience
extends beyond the immediate surfaces of function and form. Understanding
information, however, is a path negotiated between the philosophy of an
essential informational 'element' and the discovery of utter specificity
in its contextualised experience. There is no pure information. What is
present is the intersection of practices, contexts, proxemics and
provenance. In some situations, however, and with the right story, these
intersection can assume the illusion of an objective state."
____________________________________________________________________________top
2. Disinfo on Banned Books Week
The Disinformation Company has a page up about Banned Books Week,
calling it "weak." There is a short essay and links to related site
and articles.http://www.disinfo.com/disinfo?p=dossier&title=Banned+Books%2C+Weak
____________________________________________________________________________top
3. Libraries in the West Bank and Gaza: Obstacles and Possibilities
Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2000 15:39:24 +0200
From: Erling Bergan <erlingbergan[at]HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Libraries in Palestine
To: IFLA-L[at]INFOSERV.NLC-BNC.CADear colleagues,
And greetings to those of you I met during this years IFLA Conference in
Jerusalem. It was very interesting and rewarding to be able to cooperate
on the different activities that took place during the week there. I hope
you have all safely returned to your families and your work.I promised to publish on the web the paper I delivered at the work-shop
"Library Services to Arab Communities" on Thursday 17 August. The title of
my paper was "Libraries in the West Bank and Gaza: Obstacles and
possibilities". It is now published on the web-site
http://www.hisf.no/biblio/lip/, where you also will find additional links
relating to this topic. I am grateful for any comments and suggestions on
more relevant information that I can add to this site.Sincerely,
Erling Bergan
________________________________
Erling Bergan
Email: erlingbergan[at]hotmail.com
Tel: + 47 91 31 80 01
Fax: + 47 99 14 14 76
Post: Runnen 4, 6800 Forde, Norway
________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________top
4. UNESCO Archives Portal
http://www.unesco.org/webworld/portal_archives/
Launched on September 5, this new metasite from UNESCO is offered as
an international portal for both archivists and archive users. At
present, the site includes 725 links to sites of archival
institutions around the world and resources related to records and
archives management. These may be browsed by one of eight main
categories or keyword-searched. Each site listing includes a date
stamp, number of hits, and an option for users to rate the site. A
form for adding links, a what's new listing, and an email newsletter
are also available. [MD]> From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2000.
http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/____________________________________________________________________________top
5. Call for Nominations for Award for Library Service to Labor
September, 2000
For immediate release
Contact: Ann SparaneseCall for Nominations for Award for Library Service to Labor
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2001 John Sessions Memorial
Award given by the American Library Association's Reference and User
Services Division. Applications must be received by December 31, 2000.
The John Sessions Memorial Award, established in 1980, recognizes a library
or library system which has made significant efforts to work with the labor
community. Such efforts may include outreach projects to local labor
unions; establishment, or significant expansion of, special labor
collections; initiation of programs of special interest to the labor
community; or other library activities that serve the labor community.
The 2000 winner was the Lodi (NJ) Memorial Library for the Workers Memorial
Labor Mural. Under the leadership of labor artist Mike Alewitz, students
from the local
high school created a library mural memorializing the deaths of five Lodi
workers in an industrial accident. Previous winners have included public
libraries, academic libraries, a unions, and library advocate
organizations. Winning projects have been as diverse as
working with local unions to provide information on job training and
education; creating exhibits of local union history; building and
preserving labor and union archives; creating more accessible cataloging;
and sponsoring Labor History Month outreach to local unions.The award is named for John Sessions, the former AFL-CIO co-chair of the
AFL-CIO/ALA Joint Committee on Library Service to Labor Groups. The winning
library receives a handsome plaque donated by the AFL-CIO.For applications for the Sessions Award, or more information, contact
Sessions Committee chairperson:
Ann Sparanese
Englewood Public Library, 31 Engle St., Englewood, NJ 07631.
Phone: (201)568-2215, ext 229
Fax :(201)568-6895
E-mail: sparanese[at]bccls.org
____________________________________________________________________________top
6. FAIFE-L
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2000 10:11:29 +0100
From: caf[at]KFF.KK.DK
Subject: FAIFE-L - mailing list on intellectual freedom
To: IFLA-L[at]INFOSERV.NLC-BNC.CAFAIFE-L
A new discussion list devoted to libraries, librarianship and intellectual
freedom
FAIFE-L is an electronic forum intended to foster communications among
IFLA members and others concerned with the issues related to the work of
FAIFE (Free Access to Information and Freedom of expression). The aim is
to facilitate the exchange of information and opinions.
The FAIFE-L mailing list is an international Internet mailing list that
focuses on libraries, librarianship and intellectual freedom issues,
including FAIFE services and activities. The goals of the FAIFE-L mailing
list are:
to raise the general awareness of the correlation between libraries,
democracy and intellectual freedom,
to facilitate sharing of information on matters of interest related to
libraries, librarianship and intellectual freedom,
to stimulate debate on these complex issues,
to create a forum for both library professionals and others engaged in
intellectual freedom and
to distribute information from the FAIFE initiative itself.
The list is open to all interested individuals, institutions and
organisations worldwide. Both IFLA members and others who are interested
in FAIFE activities are encouraged to participate.
The working language of the FAIFE Committee and Office is English, but
information from FAIFE will be translated into the other official IFLA
languages (French, German, Russian and Spanish), whenever possible. Any
assistance in this matter will be much appreciated.
Messages from subscribers forwarded to the FAIFE-L can be in any language,
but will not be translated. Please bare this in mind when participating.
FAIFE-L is hosted and managed by the FAIFE Office in Copenhagen, Denmark.
FAIFE-L is an open and unmoderated discussion list, which means that all
messages forwarded to the list will automatically be distributed to all
subscribers. Information intended exclusively for FAIFE should be
forwarded directly to the FAIFE Office (faife[at]ifla.org) or FAIFE Committee
members (see contact information on the FAIFE web site:
http://www.faife.dk).
Anyone may subscribe, and only subscribers may post to this list. Any
subscriber may freely send messages to the list. However, this list is
provided as a convenience to IFLA members and others who have a legitimate
interest in participating in FAIFE discussions or receiving news from
FAIFE. It is not to be used as a source of addresses for commercial or
other uses not part of the business of the IFLA/FAIFE initiative.
FAIFE-L is hosted and administred by the FAIFE Office. To contact the FAIFE
Office, please send a message to:
To subscribe, send a message to:
In the body of the message type:
subscribe FAIFE-L YourE-mailAddress
To submit, send a message to:
Please indicate your topic in the topic line of the message and include
your name and address in the body of the message.
IFLA/FAIFE Office
Islands Brygge 37
DK 2300 Copenhagen
Denmark
Phone: +45 33 66 46 27
Fax: +45 33 66 70 64
E-mail: faife[at]ifla.org____________________________________________________________________________top
7.
Access, Internet, and Public Libraries
A report to the Santa Clara County Librariesfrom the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics
at Santa Clara Universityhttp://www.scu.edu/SCU/Centers/Ethics/practicing/focusareas/technology/libraryaccess/
____________________________________________________________________________top
8. Foil the Filter Contest
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2000 09:10:31 -0500
From: "Don Wood" <dwood[at]ala.org>
Subject: [IFACTION:1037] Foil the Filter Contest
To: Intellectual Freedom Action News <ifaction[at]ala1.ala.org>from Digital Freedom Network
Foil the Filter Contest
http://www.dfn.org/Alerts/censorware.htm"This contest is intended to have a little fun with just how
inadequate censoring software is. We've known for years that it
doesn't block what it's supposed to and lets through what it claims it
doesn't. Sherril Babcock found out the hard way. Now it's your turn to
test the limits of filtering software...."_________________________
Don Wood
Program Officer/Communications
American Library Association
Office for Intellectual Freedom
50 East Huron Street
Chicago, IL 60611
312-280-4225
800-545-2433, ext. 4225
Fax: 312-280-4227
dwood[at]ala.org
http://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/index.html
____________________________________________________________________________top
9. Internet filtering talking points
Date: Mon, 11 Sep 2000 16:39:48 -0500
From: "Beatrice Calvin" <bcalvin[at]ala.org>
To: OLOS Chairs <oloschrs[at]ala.org>
Subject: [OLOSCHRS:509] Internet filtering talking points
Media interest in the issue of Internet filtering provides librarians with
an excellent opportunity to discuss the unique and positive role libraries
play in the community.In telling the good news about your library, we refer you to the Libraries
and the Internet Toolkit, page 15, www.ala.org/pio/internettoolkit for key
talking points:
Librarians care deeply about children. Many of us are parents. We know
not. We believe filters are an imperfect technology.
that filters aren't the only way to protect children--or the best way.
We're concerned that filters may give parents a false sense of security
their children are protected when they are not.Filters don't block all of the "bad stuff," and don't protect against
pedophiles, chat rooms, interactive games, advertising and other aspects
of the Web that may be risky for children.The amount of helpful, valuable information on the Internet far outweighs
the bad.All libraries aim to provide safe, user-friendly environments for children
and adults. Most have Internet use policies, the same way they have other
library use policies. Some have age limits. Some require a guardian to be
with a child. Some may take away Internet privileges for viewing material
that offends others. Some link computers in the children's room only to
pre-selected sites. Some use private screens. Some use filters.The best way to protect children is to teach them to be their own
filters--to teach them how to use new technology properly and to make wise
choices, whether they are at the library, at home or a friend's house.We strongly respect the right--and responsiblity--of parents to guide
their children. And we encourage them to learn about the Internet, so
they can teach their children basic safety tips like not giving their real
name to strangers online and how to use child-safe search engines.The Internet is an exciting medium. But it is also a confusing medium.
That is why it is important for parents to learn about the Internet and
how it works. They more you know, the more you can help your child.Librarians are there to guide children to quality materials, whether it is
books or Web sites.The issue isn't just about protecting children. It is about people having
information they need for their jobs, school, health and other needs--and
being able to make their own choices.In a test of 200 Web sites, filters blocked one in five sites containing
legal, useful information. They failed to block an average of 15 percent
of material defined as undesirable.Libraries are very safe places, but they are public places. Parents should
not leave young children alone in the library.Local libraries adopt their own policies to uphold the ideals of our
profession and country--the freedom to read and receive information. Local
libraries adopt their own policies to uphold those ideals and address the
specific needs of their communities.The American Library Association does not endorse filters because they
block valuable information that some people might want or need and they
don't fully protect children.
If you find yourself in a difficult situation with local media and would
like consultation, please e-mail Mark Gould, Director of Public
Information, ALA, at mgould[at]ala.org.
____________________________________________________________________________top
10. SANE MINDS AT RISK: Towards a sex-positive librarianship
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2000 20:14:50 -0400
To: ALA Council List <alacoun[at]ala1.ala.org>
From: Mark Rosenzweig <iskra[at]earthlink.net>
Subject: [ALACOUN:5067] Re: Chicago PL smacked down with editorialSANE MINDS AT RISK: Towards a sex-positive librarianship
If I mayI'd like to express my viewpoint, whose articulation is occasioned
by reading the article in the Chicago Sun-Times
(<http://www.suntimes.com/output/byrne/byrne13.html> about "porn in the
public library) to which Karen Schneider referred us, albeit an opinion
probably not consonant with ALA's mainstream, that, in the library, "the
emperor has no clothes, and...THAT'S OK!".It's too bad we can't come out publicly. confidently and say that, as a
profession, without being demonized and, apparently, without feeling
unable to fight back against the inevitable "moral outrage".After all, in these sorry times, Democrats and Republicans alike are vying
for the position of national Vicars of Virtue, Demigods of Decency, High
Priests of Purity, Saints of Sexlessness...What an inpropitious time to
defend the rights to sexual material of virtually all kinds, the
legitimacy of sex-knowledge for all those who are interested (and who
isn't)!But what a price we will pay if we DONT actively defend that and, instead,
pretend even ourselves to be irreparably damaged
( "shocked...shocked...") by the mere sight of genitalia-in- action on a
computer screen!I am seemingly (and, in my opinion, most unfortunately) in a minority when
I would assert to public and press alike that the real problems of youth in
America have NOTHING to do with their exposure, if such there is of any
significant magnitude, to porn on the internet terminals in libraries,
even the most graphic images of naked people doing whatever it is that
naked people can do.Or for that matter their being glutted with the
sex-and-violence decadence of Hollywood films (not to mention all
"foreign" films!) and TV (network and otherwise).>From a psychological/developmental point of view, the stagerring
HYPOCRISY about sex in this country is, in my opinion,more deleterious
than all that combined. Much more destructive. But rationality and the
evidentiary are thrown to the winds as irrelevant in a debate in which
"higher powers" are being invoked left and right.My opinion apparently notwithstanding, we are well on the road to a
profound Puritan reaction, moving with blissful rapidity to the
destruction of the separtion of Church and State (which is what even the
English Puritans demanded!), giving full reign to the rule of the
holier-than-thou, developments which, to what I believe will be our shame
and regret, are encouraged by the inability of the very people who know
better (like most of us, librarians) to stand up and say "There are MUCH
WORSE things that children in America are exposed to and suffer than
pornography and depictions of violence".For instance, there's ACTUAL violence, with which NO established
connection has been made with its representation in various media, but
which comes, indubitably and increasingly, from more fundamental
social,economic and social-psychological causes. There's the pornography
and violence of hunger amidst plenty, and disease and physical suffering
where the means exist to eradicate it, and homelessness amidst the
"lifestyles of the rich and famous", and poverty in the face of arrogant
affluence and there's youth's sense of powerlessness and meaninglessness
and hopelessness . There's a public education system which is increasingly
inequitable AND ineffective, reduced to pauperism in communities where it
is most needed .And beyond institutionalized , peculiarly American hypocrisy about sex,
morally deleterious as it is, there is the increasingly organized,
bullying, effective, opposition to the so-much-needed real-world sex
education in the schools, of the promotion of safe sex and the protection
of the right to freely available birth control and abortion,not to mention
libraries carrying sex-related materials for young people's (yes, I mean
YOUNG people's) edification, amusement and education with minimal
restrictions on their availabilty.OK, let's face it. ADDICTION to pornography (as to anything) is one thing
(an illness), curiosity about it , EXPOSURE to it, is another ( a facet of
human life from time immemorial). Even then, addictions to cigarettes and
alcohol clearly are FAR MORE HARMFUL than ever was addiction to
pornography. Yet there are those who think that even the casual
exposureof kids to naked people doing it every which way is indisputably
among the MOST harmful things one can imagine.Advice for people who believe that: don't take your porn-protected kid on
a walk through the stately Metropolitan Museum of Art 's classical
antiquities departments. You will find rooms FULL of explicit depictions
of sex of every kind (even of men and women with animals and
semi-animals!) on everything from goblets and vases to giant architectual
friezes. Move through the other galleries and you will seee the explicit
depiction of virtually every "perversion" and form of violence. Take "The
Rape of the Sabine Women" or paintings of "Leda and the Swan" (in which a
young lady is overcome by a particularly well-endowed bird).It can only be
TRAUMATIC for children, a threat to their moral health and virtue. Imagine
people leaving these things around where CHILDREN can see them! And, now
that you mention it, what of those adults lurking around...We are going backwards, folks. Watch out that you don't lose all your
rights and your reason on the road back to to the "golden age of
innocence" and good old American Family Values(about which no one can
publicly say ANYTHING critical, at the risk of being considered a
subversive of some sort).It's a shame we have to walk on egg-shells here and buy into the
irrefragable Puritanism and cast-in-stone Family Values in order to even
continue to exist. I realize that, by virtue of this new puritanism,
libraries - once thought to be the most benign (if taken-for-granted)
institutions are now seen as intensely "controversial", so much so that
NO candidate for office is likely to invoke the desperate need for
massively increased support for the nation's libraries, because that would
associate them with an institution which is suddenly
perceived-to-be-perceived as being virtually satanic, yet EVERY candidate
has something to say about the pressing need for internet filters as an
urgent necessity to defend the young people of the nation.Maybe we should
find some way to make the most out of being controversial, and militantly
rally the sensible people in our communities who recognize how
out-of-proportion this preoccupation with pornography in libraries is, and
what the real enemy is: everybody's rights..Political discourse and public policyare being degraded, debased
(naturally including that about schools and libraries - institions of
EDUCATION to which everyone pays lip service) . Can we, librraians,
educators, afford to go along and appease the protectors-of -everyone
else's-virtue in the hopes of receiving a few more crumbs which will
enable us to merely survive?Alas, there is unlikely, in the present climate, to be any dialogue about
that.Mark C. Rosenzweig
ALA Councilor at large
At 3:27 PM -0400 9/14/00, Karen G. Schneider wrote:
>
>For the record, we're a busy library and we don't have these problems. But
>no one is going to write an editorial that says "things on an even keel at
>local public library."
>
>Karen G. Schneider kgs[at]bluehighways.com
>Assistant Director, Shenendehowa Public Library, NY
>http://www.shenpublib.org____________________________________________________________________________top
11. Center for the Analysis of Commercialism in Education
CACE conducts research, disseminates information, and helps facilitate a
dialogue between the education community, policy makers, and the public at
large about commercial activities in the schools. CACE is directed by Dr.
Alex Molnar, Department of Curriculum and Instruction, University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee.These links are from the CACE web site:
The Advertising Association Food Advertising Unit
The Advertising Association is a professional organization in the United
Kingdom. The Food Advertising Unit deals with advertising to children.
http://www.fau.org.ukThe Advertising Education Forum
"The Advertising Education Forum (AEF) is a non-profit organization for
all parties interested in issues relating to advertising and children in
Europe."
http://www.aeforum.org/American Academy of Pediatrics
http://www.aap.org/
AAP Media Matters Campaign
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/mediamatters.htm
Children, Adolescents, and Advertising
http://www.aap.org/policy/00656.html
Children, Adolescents, and Television
http://www.aap.org/policy/9538.htmlCanadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
"The Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives is a national economic and
social policy think tank."
http://www.policyalternatives.ca/The Center for Commercial-Free Public Education
"The Center for Commercial-Free Public Education is a national nonprofit
organization that addresses the issue of commercialism in our public
schools."
http://www.commercialfree.orgThe Center for a New American Dream
"The organization helps individuals, communities, and businesses establish
sustainable practices that will ensure a healthy planet for future
generations."
http://www.newdream.orgCommercial Alert
"Commercial Alert helps families, schools and communities defend
themselves against commercialism, advertising and marketing. It is a
clearinghouse for action against corporate predators and their advertising
and marketing."
http://www.essential.org/alert/Consumer Reports Center for Children, Youth, and Families
"Tools for teachers, youth leaders, and parents who want to help kids 8
and up evaluate products, see through ad hype, be money-smart and think
for themselves."
http://www.zillions.orgConsumers Union
"This site provides informative and educational materials developed by
Consumers Union's advocacy offices on a variety of consumer issues,
including health care, financial services, food safety, product safety,
and more."
http://www.consumersunion.orgCorporate Watch
Information about multinational corporations providing educational
materials free of charge to schools in the hopes of influencing student
opinion in the corporations' favor.
http://www.corpwatch.orgKids and Commercialism campaign
The Center for a New American Dream's Kids and Commercialism campaign is
devoted to exposing the dramatic increase in advertising directed at
children. This campaign will also raise awareness about the many
environmental and social costs of the increased advertising. Also at this
site, get a free brochure on Tips for Parenting in a Commercial Culture.
http://www.newdream.org/campaign/kids/Learning in the Real World
"Learning in the Real World is dedicated to a rational examination of the
costs and benefits of education technology before a decision is made
concerning where and how much to invest."
http://www.realworld.org/Media Channel
An international media watchdog organization which states that "...to be
an informed citizen requires a knowledge of the workings of the media
world. For this reason, the kind of knowledge that once was the province
of insiders and the territory of specialists is becoming of interest to
the public at large."
http://www.mediachannel.orgObligation, Inc.
"Obligation seeks to empower citizens with the resources they need to
protect children from the popular culture."
http://www.obligation.orgPublic Education and the Private Sector
"Reduced funding for curriculum development and for the purchase of
high-quality materials makes it more likely that school boards will enter
into agreements that expose students to curricular materials that promote
corporate interests. The Canadian Teachers' Federation believes that
materials intended for classroom use should be subjected to rigorous
evaluation."
http://www.ctf-fce.ca/e/what/ni/public.htmRethinking Schools
Founded in 1986 by Milwaukee public school teachers, the journal is
devoted to social justice and education reform that will serve America's
diverse public school students.
http://www.rethinkingschools.orgStay Free!
"Stay Free! is a nonprofit magazine examining commercialism and American
culture."
http://www.sunsite.unc.edu/stayfree/
http://metalab.unc.edu/stayfree
____________________________________________________________________________top
12. New URL for Pernicious Librarian
To: libraryunderground[at]topica.com
From: Chris Zammarelli <cmz[at]moremail.com>
Subject: LU: URL's town
Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2000 09:36:56 -0700
Hey there, hi there, hello nurse,
I just wanted let everyone know that the Pernicious Librarian has moved to
http://www.geocities.com/perniciouslib/. The old Conk link still exists,
but only to forward everyone to the new site.Have a lovely!
Chris
"Mary Kay is one of the secret masters of the world: a librarian. They
control information. Don't ever piss one off."
- Spider Robinson, "The Callahan Touch"CMZ
http://www.geocities.com/perniciouslib/------------------------------------------------------------
MoreMail.com - free web-based email for life!
http://www.MoreMail.com
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James -- jamesiegod[at]hotmail.com
Matthew -- wrightm[at]ccmail.nevada.edu
____________________________________________________________________________top
13. Of Band-Aids and Listservs
As many of you know, a while ago L-SOFT sent messages to discussion lists all
over the place to let everyone know that the word "LISTSERV" is a registered
trademark, and it is a violation of that trademark to use the word to
refer to email discussion lists that run on other software (such as
listproc and majordomo). They were serious! It was seriously funny.I have a message for L-SOFT: "LISTSERV LISTSERV LISTSERV LISTSERV LISTSERV
LISTSERV LISTSERV LISTSERV LISTSERV LISTSERV LISTSERV LISTSERV!!!"
If you find the whole Listserv trademark thing interesting, you might be
interested in this week's topic from A.Word.A.Day...
Date: Mon, 25 Sep 2000 00:02:43 -0400
From: Wordsmith <wsmith[at]wordsmith.org>
To: linguaphile[at]wordsmith.org
Subject: A.Word.A.Day--band-aidBand-Aid (BAND-ayd)
1. A brand of adhesive bandage with a gauze pad in the center, used to
cover minor abrasions and cuts.noun
2. A makeshift, limited, or temporary aid or solution that does not
satisfy a basic or long-range need.adjective
3. Serving as a makeshift, limited, or temporary aid or solution.
[From the trademark.]
"A Maori health initiative to double immunisation numbers has been
described as a band-aid solution by an Opunake doctor."
Amy James, Maori health programme branded band-aid, Daily News (New
Zealand), Sep 19, 1997."I'll FedEx you these documents today!" You have most likely heard people
say this when what they really mean is they will send the material by a
courier service, not necessarily the FedEx company. How many times have you
xeroxed documents without even checking whether the copier was made by the
Xerox company as it churned out the copies? Today I'm discussing a phenomenon
called genericide whereby a trademark becomes so popular that it is used as
a generic for the entire product category, not just as a specific brand name.The success of a brand name is often a double-edged sword for the owning
company. Initially, a company's dream is to become so successful with its
product that customers use their brandname as a generic, "Need to ship your
documents overnight? Just FedEx them!" As the brand becomes more popular,
they struggle to protect it lest it gets watered down and becomes a generic--
a victim of its own success. Did you know the words adrenaline, aspirin,
celluloid, escalator, gramophone, granola, heroin, kerosene were all
trademarks once owned by companies? This week, AWAD will feature examples
of words that, once trademarks, now are dictionary entries: bona fide words
of the English language. -Stuti Garg (stuti[at]namix.com)(This week's Guest Wordsmith, Stuti, is the founder of Namix
http://namix.com a company offering business naming services.)
.............................................................................
Life is a long lesson in humility. -James M. Barrie, novelist, short-story
writer, and playwright (1860-1937)You too can be a Guest Wordsmith at AWAD! To know more about how to be a
Guest Wordsmith, please see http://wordsmith.org/awad/guidelines.html
If you do not have Web access, send email to wsmith[at]wordsmith.org with
"Guest Wordsmith" as the Subject Line to get the guidelines.Pronunciation:
http://wordsmith.org/words/band-aid.wav
http://wordsmith.org/words/band-aid.ram
____________________________________________________________________________top
14. Librarian's Day
Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2000 08:22:36 -0400
From: IFLA LISTS <iflalists[at]nlc-bnc.ca>
Subject: LIBRARIAN'S DAY
To: IFLA-L[at]INFOSERV.NLC-BNC.CADear Colleagues:
I will ppreciate it if you could send me information about the Librarian's
Day in your countries: when it is celebrated and the reason for a
particular date. In Mexico there are states where the Librarian's Day is
celebrated on September 30 because of a religious tradition in the
devotion of Saint Jerome (Eusebius Hieronymus Sophronius) and other sates
where it is celebrated due to a government decision.This request is in order to let know our local librarian community the
ways this celebration is carried out in different countries and cultures.Please, send your answers to my personal e-mail address (
bamaya[at]TUNKU.UADY.MX).
Thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.Yours Faithfully
Armando E. Burgos-Amaya
Librarian
Regional Research Center
Autonomous University of YucatanPresident of "Southeastern Librarians, Civil Association"
Yucatan, Mexico____________________________________________________________________________top
15. Some Yahoo
This is a note to anyone who is interested in my personal life.
I just signed up for Yahoo Instant Messenger, for the usual reasons.
Much to my surprise, I wasn't allowed to register the name
rory_litwin - it was already taken. I am fairly certian that I am
the only Rory Litwin on the planet, so it seems that someone has
registered in my name and is pretending to be me while they chat
with people.If you have been chatting with someone on Yahoo instant messenger
(or AOL instant messenger - same thing) who is using the name
rory_litwin, please let me know. I want to know what they have
been saying!If you want to reach me on Yahoo Messenger, my handle is
the_real_rory_litwin.Rory Litwin
____________________________________________________________________________top
L I B R A R Y J U I C E
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|
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|
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