Comments on: The OCLC data licensing saga: Adapt or die

By: Stefano Mazzocchi

Stefano Mazzocchi — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:45:12 +0000

Molly, just FYI, the correct spelling of my name is Stefano. Thanks!

By: Jacob Glenn

Jacob Glenn — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:18:28 +0000

It was interesting to read your post on the same day this was announced: http://biblios.net/

Innovate or die, indeed.

By: Molly

Molly — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:16:01 +0000

Thanks for the correction, Peter. I’ve fixed it.

By: Peter Suber

Peter Suber — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:31:34 +0000

Hi Molly: The good summary that you quote from Open Access News was written by Gavin Baker, my assistant editor. He deserves the credit, not I.

Thanks,
Peter

By: Molly

Molly — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:21:23 +0000

Rob, you make a good point. I suppose I meant last straw in the sense that librarians might have accepted a WorldCat policy change without objecting, this one was too objectionable to too many people, several of whom already have beef with OCLC. Whether libraries will take those objections a step further and drop OCLC – or simply push hard for further revisions to the policy, which there is still time to do – remains to be seen. I don’t know if my institution is considering such a change. I would guess not, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if there were some conversations going on behind the scenes about ways to improve the policy.

By: Rob Styles

Rob Styles — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 08:41:24 +0000

Great Summary. You’re exactly right about the business models and the perceived threat to OCLC, but I’m not sure you’re right about this being the last straw. The policy remains fundamentally unchanged, the concessions have been minor. The biggest issue of the change is the move from guidelines to contract – that is huge. I don’t see it as the last straw because I don’t see any uproar beyond the usual suspects in a debate like this.

Is your institution seriously considering its relationship with OCLC as a result of this change to your contract?

By: John Weise

John Weise — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:59:24 +0000

I think you’ve got it right.

Libraries want their records shared widely, and WorldCat is a great way to accomplish this collectively. This is value OCLC adds to the records. I’m inclined to think the most liberal model for sharing would be in everybody’s best interest.