It's Academic

“A beginning, by contrast, always contains the undisclosed fullness of the extraordinary, and that means the strife with the ordinary.” M. Heidegger, The Origin of the Work of Art, in Off the Beaten Track (Cambridge, 2002) 48.

It is the beginning of a new year. A turning point such as this often makes one restive; both restless and straining to move forward, while at the same time uneasy and resistant. Like Janus, the ancient Roman god for whom the month of January is named, there is a simultaneous facing backwards and forwards, i.e., gazing back into the near past and looking forward at the near future and what we believe lays ahead. This perspective includes our library. “Our library” not because it belongs to us, but because, whether a professional, a staff member, an employee, a retiree, a volunteer, a patron or simply a human being, all have a role in its existence. A library is a gathering place for the society of humanity. Twentieth-century German philosopher Martin Heidegger thought something which makes human beings unique is that we are world-forming. At this juncture, it is important to consider: “What kind of “world” is a library?”

“‘World’ serves, here, as a name for beings, in their entirety.” M. Heidegger, The Age of the World Picture, in Off the Beaten Track (Cambridge, 2002) 67.

It would be reasonable to wonder, why ask what it “is” rather than what it was, or better still what it will be. The simple answer, because the past and the future are both elusive. Too often one gets lost in either nostalgia or anticipation, infused with either optimism or pessimism depending on mood or disposition. It is better to take stock, rather than wallow in regret or triumph about what the library has been, or lose ourselves in wishful thinking or despair based on an “if only” frame of mind. Yes, it is important to respect roots for they nurture, and to develop a motivating vision because it can engender healthy growth, but at this inflection point between gazing back and looking forward we need to pause for a reality check. Because no matter the budget, building, staffing or collections, the standard against which to judge if “our library” is living up to its potential is to measure whether right now we are doing the best we can with what we have. Not to make objectives for maximizing outcomes or mulling over returns on investment. Today is the foundation for tomorrow as well as the product of yesterday. Librarians currently need to foster a conversation about: “What kind of “world” is a library?”

“And if we raise the question of the ‘world’, what world do we have in view?” M. Heidegger, Being and Time (Harper, 1962) 92.

We often hear the term “lifelong learning” when talking about the use of library resources, but at Seton Hill University, we actively promote the use of other libraries. We have reciprocity with three local colleges and also have a LibGuide for Pennsylvania Library Resources.

This is the introduction to the guide:

Reeves Memorial Library provides thousands of resources for you.   So you may wonder why we would promote the use of public libraries.  There are several reasons for this:

1.  Although we have an extensive collection, you will sometimes find additional items in publicly available libraries.
   2.  Public libraries in Pennsylvania offer access to additional databases and other online resources that are not available at Reeves. 
   3.  When students leave Seton Hill, we want them to know what resources are available for the public so that they will be lifelong learners.

We then have pages in the Guide for Westmoreland Library Network (our county system), Overdrive, Power Library, Penn State Libraries, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, State Library of Pennsylvania, and Other Libraries. The Other Libraries page has links to libraries in the surrounding counties, where commuter students may reside, as well as the Free Library of Philadelphia.

This has been especially helpful for older adult students who may come to campus only once a week.   Many are returning to school after many years in the workforce and are delighted to find access to hard copy materials closer to where they live and online resources that supplement what they find on our website.  In addition, as the number of online programs grows, our students may reside anywhere in the world, so we will be expanding our guides to help them find what they need wherever they are.

Fair Use is a special blessing for education, art, commentary, review, parody, etc.  Recent NYT review for the Dr. Seuss inspired “Who’s Holiday!” work following the life of Cindy Lou Who, who then was not much older than two.  She growed up (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/04/theater/review-whos-holiday-dr-seuss.html).

Matthew Lombardo was sued, by the Grinch, Dr. Seuss Enterprises, for stealing and with good reason as derivative works are very well protected, particularly for works of fiction (ask JK Rowling!).  But the courts did see a fair use exception and Matthew Lombardo won the case and for a fairly new reason – the work was considered transformative!  Interesting reading on other issues of copyright related to this case and apparent inconsistencies in determining whether fair use should/should not apply – https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/15/books/dr-seuss-grinch-law-suit.html

New Guide available – Fair Use for NonFiction Authors

The guide addresses three common situations faced by nonfiction authors in which fair use may apply:

1) criticizing, discussing, or commenting on copyrighted material;

2) using copyrighted material to support a point made in the author’s work; and

3) using copyrighted material for non-consumptive research.  It also addresses the most frequently asked questions about fair use and clears up some common misconceptions about when it might apply.