tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424038.post109812126715652134..comments2023-11-16T18:28:45.786+08:00Comments on Rambling Librarian :: Incidental Thoughts of a Singapore Liblogarian: Access to Information & Libraries: It's never free to begin withUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424038.post-1098455078863755762004-10-22T22:24:00.000+08:002004-10-22T22:24:00.000+08:00In response to 'LifeatNgeeAnn', who said "Heard of...In response to 'LifeatNgeeAnn', who said "Heard of google? good, free, fast =)": Well, yeah... maybe. But someone's got to pay for the Internet access, the connectivity charges, the hardware, software etc. And if we compare the relative definition of "good" of the content of a web article Vs. content in a subscription journal, chances are the latter is better.Ivan Chewhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02727226573817276108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424038.post-1098410067072500862004-10-22T09:54:00.000+08:002004-10-22T09:54:00.000+08:00Lifeatngeeann like most users of libraries (includ...Lifeatngeeann like most users of libraries (including librarians) would like libraries to be free invariably, no matter what social structures they may originate from (US or SG). Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that libraries cost money, and we are talking millions of $$. Its not just a one time fee for establishing a building but it is the cost not only of purchasing publications, regular subscriptions but also of maintaining these resources. Behind-the-scenes are trained professionals who help select and provide access to these resources. Again money. The work of libraries remain heavy on manpower, and even if we are talking about digital libraries, these issues remain - infrastructure costs, purchase of digital items or of digitising, preservation of digital item, cataloguing or metadata tagging these items. Who pays for these? If its not the subscribers of libraries (the early concept of libraries during colonial days), its the tax-payer - (SG) or some great philantropist (US?). Someone is paying (and paying a great deal) for the service. Unfortunately, we have become so used to free service that we expect it to continue. With cut-backs, some effects can be seen, but pple will still expect us to deliver at the same level of expertise and the same speed. Technology is not the cure all and is one of the reasons for the added costs. Is there a way out? (Sorry i am rambling but then i guess most librarians do... )Bonnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15807051508889308200noreply@blogger.com