Re: African digital library

[David Goodman <dgoodman@princeton.edu>]

I accept that restriction to one simultaneous user is appropriate for many
ebook schemes; it is not for this one.   This is an excellent example of
excessive publisher zeal to protect their rights, however economically
unprofitable  and  socially detrimental.  

--
David Goodman
Biology Librarian, and
Co-Chair, Electronic Journals Task Force
Princeton University Library
dgoodman@princeton.edu         http://www.princeton.edu/~biolib/

====

Ann Okerson wrote:

> An announcement of interest, esp. as it involves netLibrary.com
> 
> The Moderators
> 
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 13:50:08 -0800
> From: cisler <cisler@POBOX.COM>
> To: IFLA-L@INFOSERV.NLC-BNC.CA
> Subject: African digital library
> 
> African Digital Library On-Line (Africa)
> 
> Centre for Lifelong Learning
> 
> November 8, 1999
> http://www.africanews.org/science/stories/19991108_feat7.html
> 
> A digital library for the benefit of users throughout Africa, went
> on-line today, 3 November 1999. In response to the need for library
> books in Africa, Technikon SA (TSA) has provided an initial
> sponsorship of R1m to set up the African Digital Library.
> 
> The library is being established by TSA and the Association of
> African Universities in collaboration with netLibrary, a private
> American company. It will provide Internet access to African users
> throughout the continent to a library of full-text books at no cost
> to the user.
> 
> Over 60 publishers will provide full-text books. Encryption will
> ensure that only one user will access a book at any one time, and
> loan periods will be a few hours as users work with the books.
> 
> "The cost of establishing physical infrastructure, purchase and
> maintenance of books makes the provision of an acceptable level of
> support a daunting task. The cost of joining virtual libraries is
> out of reach for many African institutions. Accordingly, the COLISA
> (Confederation of Open Learning Institutions of South Africa)
> partners are coming in to provide support. TSA's Centre for Lifelong
> Learning is approaching private and public sector institutions," says
> Paul West, the Centre's Director.
> 
> Sponsorships will be on a per-book basis, and sponsors will be able
> to advertise by means of banners per book sponsored.
> 
> As far as use is concerned, persons in any Africa country with a
> server having an African domain, will be able to access the library
> via http://www.AfricaEducation.org/adl/. Servers such as those with
> a .com suffix which cannot be identified as African should provide
> the Director of the Centre for Lifelong Learning with their IP
> address range so that the service can become accessible free of
> charge to their subscribers also . Users will then be able to open an
> account with the library free of charge.
> 
> The library will be made available to people using the Internet in
> Africa only. As Internet access expands in Africa, the e-book
> collection will grow and accommodate user needs.
> 
> "At this point the library contains 3000 books, and the collection
> will be built as fast as funds permit," said West. "The African
> Digital Library is yet another venture initiated by TSA's Centre for
> Lifelong Learning to bring learner support to learners in Africa. It
> is an exciting step which will open doors for many who would
> previously have had limited access to resource material. Technikon
> SA has great hopes for development of this service for the benefit of
> the peoples of Africa."
> 
> For further information, contact Paul West, Director CLL at
> Technikon SA at e-mail address LibraryAdmin@AfricaEducation.org

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