The Green library movement: An overview of green library literature and actions from 1979 to the future of green libraries

The Green library movement: An overview of green library literature and actions from 1979 to the future of green libraries
Monika Antonelli
Minnesota State University – Mankato, USA
Electronic Green Journal
Volume 1, Issue 27 2008 Article 1


Abstract (Summary)


The creation of green libraries is approaching a tipping point, generating a Green Library Movement, which is comprised of librarians, libraries, cities, towns, college and university campuses committed to greening libraries and reducing their environmental impact. Constructing a green library building using a performance standard like LEED is a way some libraries are choosing to become green and sustainable. Environmental challenges like energy depletion and
climate change will influence the type of information resources and programs libraries will provide
to their communities.


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Things I learned


1. Construction of Green Library is affordable. But due to tough economic times switching to Green Library is still a problem especially for those budget strapped libraries that even renovation may not be possible.

2. Available energy resources from a Green Library are finite resources which is vital to the health of the planet and our libraries. This is important in reducing carbon footprint of the buildings. ‘The term carbon footprint is defined as the “total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2)’

3. It is a helpful way to encourage everyone to quit using toxic chemical cleaners and switch to environmentally friendly cleaning products. Green cleaners emit fewer fumes, and some are even made with plant-based ingredients, such as soy.



As a Librarian it is our duty to step up and help disseminate information to become green in order to sustain environmental resources. It is the role of the Library to serve the community.
‘Communities need libraries and librarians to act as role models for sustainability by providing accurate information on all manner of green topics, from alternative building practices to renewable energy options.’

Computer Use & Habitual Spinal Posture in Australian Adolescents

Computer Use & Habitual Spinal Posture in Australian Adolescents
Leon M. Straker, Peter B. O’Sullivan, Anne Smith And Mark Perry
Public Health Reports (1974-), Vol. 122, No. 5 (Sep. – Oct., 2007), pp. 634-643
Published by: Association of Schools of Public Health
JSTOR


Abstract (Summary)


Eight hundred eighty-four adolescents (408 females, 476 males, mean age, 14.0 years, standard deviation, 0.2) completed a questionnaire assessing weekly computer use. Habitual spinal posture was assessed by photographic analysis while standing and sitting.


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Things I learned


1. The amount of weekly computer use was associated with changes in habitual spinal posture, and these depend on gender. These associations may result from temporary computer postures leading to adaptive neuromusculoskeletal changes. The postural changes also tended to be consistent across sitting & standing, which may imply a greater impact on health

2. It shows that frequent use of computers without observing proper posture may entail health risk & alter developing neuromusculoskeletal systems. Incorrect body posture is a gradual process, it is associated to various habitual body positions that we do e.g. sitting, slouching & standing.

3. Computer use causes significant number of injuries related to posture & positioning. In order to prevent incorrect posture, it is necessary to observe a daily break postural exercises & stretching.


Revolution in technology gives convenience in most of our works, but not necessary free to health risk because sometimes doing nothing is merely hazardous as doing strenuous physical work. As with all health-related issues, it is wise to have a balance diet & exercise.

Electronic Data Discovery Primer

Electronic Data Discovery Primer

Albert Barsocchini
Law Technology News
August 28, 2002
LAW.COM (http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1029171611801)


Abstract (Summary)


It is about electronic data discovery on how it affects forensic techniques on the safety retrieval of evidence.

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Things I learned


1. There is an incredible amount of electronic evidence that can be harvested, preserved, documented and authenticated.

2. There are a variety of services now available including electronic discovery consultants, computer forensic investigators, and litigation support services offering electronic document conversion, scanning, indexing and online repositories.


3. Retaining an electronic consultant can help create an effective strategy for collecting, analyzing and processing the data. ‘The scope of the consulting services normally includes assisting the attorney in preparing discovery requests related to electronic documents, reviewing and evaluating discovery responses, protecting clients from overly broad demands, and assisting in the collecting, analyzing and producing of relevant electronic data.’

‘With the help of a good consultant, unnecessary objections and motions can be avoided. Your best bet: an electronic discovery consultant who is both a lawyer with litigation experience and trained in computer forensics.’


WHAT TO DO


Recent case law has helped define procedures that counsel should consider when computer evidence may be relevant:

1. Send a preservation letter.

2. Appoint a neutral forensic expert.

3. Prepare an order detailing the inspection protocol.

4. Hire a forensic expert to acquire and preserve computer data for examination.

5. Examine and analyze image data files for evidence.

6. Document the findings.


“Electronic discovery must be both taken seriously and done properly because the evidence is fragile, easily erased and can be compromised by untrained parties. Litigators practicing in today's digital environment must understand the various ways information can be stored and retrieved not only to ensure compliance with discovery rules, but to build the best possible case for their client. Failing to do so may not only prejudice the case, but may be malpractice.”

Building a bridge for research

Building a bridge for research
Robert Terry.World Health Organization. Bulletin of the World Health Organization.
Geneva: Aug 2009. Vol. 87, Is. 8; pg. 636, 1 pgs
PROQUEST & EBSCO


Abstract (Summary)


The article “Building a bridge for research” is about introducing Open Access (OA) to scientific research & how internet could drastically transform the way scientific research is done. It stresses the potential to bridge and reduce health inequality on scientific research through Open Access.


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Things I learned .
1. The citation impact of articles that are made commercially & is available online becomes greater than when they were commercially available only as print material.
The citation impact of free articles available online becomes greater than when they were not freely available online.
2. OA gives developing world (third world countries) more access to information
(mostly from the Developed World) that could help on their research outputs.

3. Digital divide may also obstruct the progress of OA on some developing world
where the access of internet is expensive & slow, that suggest to improve
communication technology infrastructure to bridge the unfairness of the situation


Internet access plays a big role on influencing individuals on their research, where internet is considered as essential as water or a gas. Revolution on Open Access
has its potential on finding new ways to improve education & research global problems where peer-reviewed research papers could be processed & deposited on a free public repository.

Open Access (OA) create a radical change to access information that benefits researchers, librarians, students, & ordinary people as well nowadays, beneficial for those who cannot afford to subscribe or buy expensive literature materials.

Field Trip at International Rice Research Institute

Field Trip at International Rice Research Institute


Reflection


Last Wednesday of 26th of August 2009 our LIS 260 class went out for a field trip, where? ... at the International Research Institute (IRRI) in Laguna. The purpose…is to expose us
to different Information Retrieval System (IRS). It was a breath taking, nourishing, and informative field trip. A breath taking one because of the scenery admired by everyone, nourishing because of mouth watering cuisines of food served at Palaisdaan, and informative
because of the information that the group acquired & learned at IRRI.



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Things I learned from the “Field Trip”



International Rice Research Institute is a non-profit agricultural research that started operations in 1961 where the main goal “is to find a sustainable ways to improve the well being of the present & future generations of poor rice farmers & consumers while at the same time protecting the natural environment”
IRRI have the world’s largest collection of rice literature. Published the first Rice Bibliography (1951-1960) in 1963. IRRI started partial computerization in 1989 using Cardbox Plus application, used Innopac 1986, and in 2002 acquired Millennium system up to the present.

Millennium system fits very well for IRRI because “Millennium’s modules reliably support simple, everyday library transactions on IRRI while at the same time meeting the demands of the web librarian or circulation manager on their cataloging & indexing task” the only constraint that limits the use of Millennium system is the budget for the maintenance of the system. It is typical for a library having a problem regarding budget, but IRRI’s Librarians & staff find ways to be innovative and creative on how to improve their services regardless of budget constraints.
IRRI’s online library collection of journals started in 2001 and it is accessible via the online catalog, organized alphabetically, but because of limited budget there are journals articles not available in the library. Librarians at IRRI where forced to find ways on how to supplement further the online collection by making a list of free online databases & integrating it to make a parallel links of e- journals to make it accessible for IRRI’s users which the community responded positively.

http://ricelib.irri.cgiar.org/ features linkages such as
*Main Catalog Search for materials owned by the IRRI Library
*E-Journals Find direct links to full-text journals
*E-Reference Sources Browse for Reference Web sites by category
*Online Databases Search for articles, citations and other documents
*Other Library Catalogs Search catalogs from other libraries worldwide

http://ricelib.irri.cgiar.org/ is a one stop shop url that caters IRRI’s library users in a most convenient regardless of fiscal constraints.
IRRI also offers “Document Delivery” service where delivery for poor countries is free of charge & a USS10 is charged per article for developed countries. “Documents are delivered conventionally (photocopies via snail mail) or electronic format as e-mail attachments.


*Access to information should promote equality not only for personal development as well as for global alleviation in overcoming barriers of poverty & despair. Dealing with limited resources on libraries because of fiscal constraint fellow librarians at IRRI exercise their creativity in finding sustainable ways to maintain existing system & services making all available possible resources accessible for IRRI’s clients.

*Technological advancement (e.g. adapting web 2.0) bridges the gap between barriers on making the library able to function at its best creating a one stop shop for the IRRI clients.

*Budget creates a big factor for a certain library to survive. Though as of now IRRI library is still able & functioning, but because of fiscal difficulties the fear of being closed is always at the back of the minds of the IRRI Librarians and staff.

The IFLA Internet Manifesto

www.ifla.org
Copyright © International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions

The IFLA Internet Manifesto

Abstract (Summary)

IFLA encourages the international community to support the development of Internet accessibility worldwide, and especially in developing countries, to thus obtain the global benefits of information for all offered by the Internet.


IFLA encourages national governments to develop a national information infrastructure which will deliver Internet access to all the nation's population.


IFLA encourages all governments to support the unhindered flow of Internet accessible information via libraries and information services and to oppose any attempts to censor or inhibit access.


IFLA urges the library community and decision makers at national and local levels to develop strategies, policies, and plans that implement the principles expressed in this Manifesto


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Things I learned from my Reading Assignment (RA)



Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.


-United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 19-



Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to exercise this freedom is a basis of democracy. The global interconnectedness provides by the Internet sets a medium which this right may be enjoyed by all. This would be significant for poor countries where accesses to information are for those who can afford only. Internet unlocks these barriers by providing access to information anywhere and anytime to remote areas connecting people wherever you are in the globe, making it possible to visit Egypt without leaving your chair or writing your own article available to everyone without using any penny.

But the vast resources on the Internet may mislead, provide incorrect information also. Librarians should promote Internet literacy to avoid ignorance; ignorance that hinders the true purpose of freedom of access to information which is to promote equal access on information for all to alleviate poverty and despair. It is the responsibility of a librarian to promote responsible access on quality networked information by then only can achieved the purpose of this Manifesto.

Access to information should promote equality not only for personal development as well as for global alleviation in overcoming barriers of poverty & despair.

Leading article: Science journals: Publishing progress

http://0-proquest.umi.com.lib1000.dlsu.edu.ph/pqdweb?index=23&did=423146621&SrchMode=2&sid=6&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1249079323&clientId=47883


Leading article: Science journals: Publishing progress
The Guardian. London (UK): Oct 13, 2003. Pg. 19


Abstract (Summary)


Backed by Nobel prize winners and a respected US charity, "open access" aims to overturn three centuries of publishing tradition. This alternative has arrived just in time - as even well-financed university libraries are finding it difficult to stock the full range of scientific journals, thanks to annual subscriptions which now carry a price tag of as much as pounds 15,000. But for the new publishing model to work, two things have to change: one is to do with mindset; the other with money. First, scientists must start using the online journals rather than established outlets for important new bits of research. Second, the way of funding the process of peer review, which ensures scientists can trust what they read, must be redesigned.


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Things I learned from my Reading Assignment (RA)



A challenge facing the modern age is ensuring that knowledge spreads through society, that access to resources should not only limits for those who can afford it.
“Open Access Publication” offers inexpensive access to information to make new ideas available to someone else. For a third world country it would be very helpful for those who cannot afford subscription of expensive academic journals where publishing houses controls the cost of its distribution, this would benefit in boosting and enhancing poor countries in alleviating education and ending poverty. Access to resources should be accessible also anywhere and anytime; thanks to “Internet” that offers an inexpensive and convenient way for information e.g. where a scholar student from the Philippines could access information from the U.S. in the recent scientific software development in biochemistry for his/her report. In addition posting of information thru “Internet” is immediate compare to the traditional way of “commercial publishing houses” where within its initial distribution in the market information were already out-of-date this defeat the purpose of giving recent information or development specially in the field of science, technology, & medicine. “Open Access Publication” is an alternative for those who cannot afford libraries - and even well-financed university libraries that are finding it difficult to stock their full range academic journals, a convenient modern way compare to traditional way of stocking.
Access to resources for me should be free for all, but the debate regarding copyright and plagiarism is a big issue. But as a user one should be responsible to exercise observance of proper citation of these “Open Access Publication” giving credit to authors may give way to a more liberal perpetual access to free information.