Technology
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) on February 12 introduced the Data Protection Act of 2020, new legislation that would create the Data Protection Agency, an independent federal agency that “would serve as a ‘referee’ to define, arbitrate, and enforce rules to defend the protection of [U.S. citizens’] personal data.”
Public libraries are using new vendor solutions to enhance local schools’ ebook and audiobook collections, creating a new generation of library users.
Corporations, technology companies, and government entities are gathering more data than ever about people, and libraries have an important role to play in educating the public about surveillance, personal information, and online privacy, according to panelists at the Library Information Technology Association’s (LITA) Top Tech Trends panel.
An international team of Medievalists has released a free android and iOS app of Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, featuring the digitized Hengwrt Chaucer manuscript and an authentic 45-minute dramatic reading of the General Prologue.
In a candid and occasionally contentious “Ask Me Anything” session on Saturday, January 25 at the 2020 American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, Macmillan CEO John Sargent discussed the publisher’s two-month embargo period for library ebooks, which went into effect on November 1.
Cornell University Library has put together a suite of privacy services for students and faculty. These include digital literacy workshops, confidential privacy risk consultations, public computers configured to ensure anonymity, and pro-privacy advocacy that will potentially feature a dataset of vendor policies.
Global investment firm KKR on December 24 announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire ebook provider OverDrive from Japanese online retailer Rakuten.
In a move that further consolidates the market for commercial integrated library systems, library services platforms, and other library software solutions, Ex Libris on December 5 announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire Innovative Interfaces.
On November 1, Macmillan enacted its eight-week embargo period for new library ebook licenses. Many libraries have responded by announcing boycotts, as library organizations continue outreach and advocacy efforts.