Public Policy Connections

Google Book Search Bibliography

Digital Scholarship has produced Version 5 of the Google Book Search Bibliography.  The bibliography focuses primarily on the evolution of Google Book Search and the legal, library, and social issues associated with it. Where possible, links are provided to works that are freely available on the Internet, including e-prints in disciplinary archives and institutional repositories.

SLA Joins Alliance Calling for Investigation into Google Books Settlement

Newly formed Open Books Alliance seeks resolution on issues of copyright, access, anti-trust, and privacy.
Read SLA's press release.

SLA has been active in discussions with Google about the proposed Book Search Settlement.

New Zealand to Implement Digital Continuity Plan

Archives New Zealand is to lead the initiation of New Zealand’s Digital Continuity Action Plan, developed as an all public sector program to assist and support agencies overcome issues with storing, accessing, using and reusing the digital information they produce.
Read press release from the New Zealand Government.

Site Created to Study and Discuss Google Book Search Settlement

The Public Index is a new Web site created to study and discuss the proposed Google Book Search settlement. The site is a project of the Public-Interest Book Search Initiative and the Institute for Information Law and Policy at New York Law School.

SLA has been active in discussions with Google about the proposed settlement.

DOJ Investigating Google Books Settlement

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a formal investigation into the settlement between Google and book publishers over digital publishing rights. In a letter sent last week to the federal judge charged with reviewing the settlement, the DOJ said it was reviewing concerns that the agreement could violate the Sherman Antitrust Act.

SLA has been active in discussions with Google about the proposed settlement. At SLA’s 2009 Public Policy Update, Dan Clancy, engineering director, Google Book Search, provided an overview of the scope of the Google Book Search Settlement Agreement and addressed various concerns and questions from audience members.
Read more.

New Web site Provides U.S. Federal IT Investment Details

The new IT Dashboard is a Web site that enables federal agencies and the general public to the view the details of U.S. Federal information technology investments. The Dashboard provides transparency into the U.S. government’s budget, allowing users to view specific departments, view status information on projects, and compare spending over time and between departments. The Dashboard displays data received from agency reports to the Office of Management and Budget.

Google Comments on SLA Concerns Voiced Over Book Settlement

As reported in our Public Policy blog on 28 May, Derek Slater, policy analyst with Google, met with staff at SLA headquarters to discuss and address various concerns that have been voiced by SLA members over the Google Book Search Settlement, now pending court approval.

On 2 June, Derek Slater commented on that blog post, providing responses to several topics, including orphan works -- stating that it will remain one of Google's priorities to work to pass effective orphan works legislation.

Read Derek Slater's comments.

SLA Meets with Google Regarding Book Settlement

There has been an ongoing flurry of questions and concerns regarding the Google Book Settlement, a settlement that could expand individuals' and groups' online access to books in both electronic and print. The settlement still must be approved by a U.S. District Court of New York.

The Google settlement could be an amazing step forward, but at what cost—in dollars and liberties? Along with excitement about the good that could arise from the settlement (see Google Book Search Will Expand Access), there are also fears that it could compromise basic library values such as equal access to information, privacy, and intellectual freedom.

Last week, Derek Slater, Policy Analyst with Google, met with staff at SLA headquarters to discuss and address various concerns that have been voiced by SLA members over the settlement (Read settlement explanation). Though we discussed many issues, the conversation focused on four primary areas: institutional subscription pricing, privacy, intellectual freedom, and orphan works.

As a result of the meeting, Google has agreed to have a Dan Clancy, Engineering Director, Google Book Search, join us at the SLA 2009 Annual Conference & INFO-EXPO for SLA’s Public Policy Update. Join us Tuesday, 16 June 2009, 11:30 a.m.-1:00p.m. to hear an overview of the settlement, pose questions you may have, and voice your praises or concerns.

Organizations Request OSTP provide a Formal Process for Public Input

On 18 May 2009, numerous organizations, including SLA, signed on to a letter written to the Dr. Beth Noveck, Office of Science and Technology Policy.  The letter requests that she announce a formal process for public input on developing recommendations to make government transparent, collaborative, and participatory as well as make publicly available comments received from agencies, agency employees, or the public related to the development of an Open Government Directive. 

Read letter.

Letter Sent Urging Senate to Improve Public Access to CRS Reports

SLA along with more than 40 organizations and advocates concerned with government transparency signed on to a letter asking the Senate Rules Committee to hold public hearings on open government issues and to mark-up and pass Senate Resolution 118 (S.R. 118), a resolution by Senator Lieberman (D, Connecticut) to provide Internet access to certain Congressional Research Service (CRS) publications. S.R. 118 would improve public access to reports by the CRS.
Read letter.