WebJunction - Technical Services

RE: Digital image preservation for everyone

2009-11-15T19:26:55Z

"New DVDs store digital photos for centuries" -- http://blogs.zdnet.com/digitalcameras/?p=2163

I am not familiar with this product beyond what the blog presents. However, it might be worth further investigation if you do digital archiving.

Millenniata -- http://www.millenniata.com/index.html

Cranberry DiamonDisc -- http://cranberry.com/about_cranberry_disc.php

RE: Re: VHS to DVD conversion

2009-06-08T22:23:09Z

One problem with "better" is that it needs to be expanded into "better for whom?" I'm sure the media companies would like people to rent rather than own and, likely, allow libraries to rent on a similar basis (as one can already do for some films).

Finding Funds for Preservation

2009-05-04T22:08:15Z

We'll use this thread to carry on the discussion following the May 5 webinar on Finding Funds for Preservation, to answer any additional questions, and share additional resources.

Please keep the conversation alive!

Free E-book dowloads?

2009-03-09T21:40:42Z

My big brother sent me this question:

"Is there an online library that allows you to download books for free use for a specified period of time? I heard there is an online collection that you can get two-week licenses to download mp3 files of audio books.

Our middle school is seeking grant money from an education foundation to acquire audiobooks. I think there is a free resource, but I can't remember the name."

I gave him the link to this WJ article, but wondering if anyone has additional or updated information?

Thanks.

CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries

2009-02-18T23:55:57Z

Check out this updated version at CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries thanks to Jeannette Larson / Texas State Library

AUTOCAT is a good listserv to watch

2009-01-03T08:24:02Z

You should check out the archives for AUTOCAT [http://listserv.syr.edu/archives/autocat.html] It's an interesting and helpful listserv for catalogers.

Kindle

2008-12-17T14:16:50Z

You have to go to
<http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Amazons-Wireless-Reading-Device/dp/B000FI73MA>
and see the video of the wonderful reading tool Kindle.
i think it's the future of the library and the reading

RE: cd printer?

2008-12-12T18:30:53Z

You may consider using a light scribe burner. They are blank cd's (which it sounds like is not what you want) but if you burn a copy of the cd you have and use these they look very professional. The burner is also reasonably priced.

RE: Re: VHS to DVD conversion

2008-12-08T21:31:50Z

Short Roy Tennant LJ blog post on the very same topic:

Libraries, of course, are caught in the cross-fire. Collections of VHS tapes will not be worth transferring to a new format. The best that libraries can do is to start buying content on the latest format and slowly phase out the older formats as demand declines. The problem with this, of course, is that libraries may actually have to buy the very same content all over again but in a new format. And how long will Blu-Ray last until something better comes along? There must be a better way.

(http://www.libraryjournal.com/blog/1090000309/post/1740037574.html)

Digitizing and cataloging local history collection

2008-11-04T19:49:34Z

Greetings, all,
Our library recently came into possession of a collection of historic papers and photographs from a local author. We would like to digitize and catalog the collection to aid in retrieval. We have seen a demonstration of Past Perfect, which is a Museum software which can be used for this purpose, but we would like to see some other programs to serve as comparisons.
Any suggestions?
Thank you,
Will Stein, Reference Librarian
Washington County PL
Abingdon, Va.
wstein@wcpl.net

RE: Re: VHS to DVD conversion

2008-10-30T22:16:03Z

You mean Gopher from The Love Boat? lol!

I remember when I was a very, very poor kid and the Atari 2600 had fallen from fashion (but still before Nintendo 64 came out). I cut lawns for weeks to save up $25 to buy a friends 2600 and game cartridge collection...and then proceed to play those games for at least five years. New manufacture means different things to different people but in an odd way this opens up new possibilities to the poorest of the poor and actually might mean PL circ of VHS will stabilize and hold for a few more years.

RE: Re: VHS to DVD conversion

2008-10-25T00:41:41Z

I love it that emerging technologies is also hosting the discussion on obsolete technologies! Of course, they are related...

Remember Gopher? (I don't, but I love hearing about the good old days).

long overdue books and DVD

2008-10-17T17:49:05Z

I would like to get some examples of collection letters that we can send out along with the overdue notice we send. I need something that will let patrons know that they may be sent to a collection agency. (we do not have a collection agency)

cd printer?

2008-10-08T18:04:32Z

Is anyone using a cd printer to print on cd's? We are looking to avoid using the sticker hub labels to identify our cd's, but still need a way to put our library name on them. I've seen lots cd printers on the market, but most seem to be usable only on blank disks. Does anyone know of a machine that prints on cd's that already have images on them?

RE: Re: VHS to DVD conversion

2008-08-04T17:28:16Z

Sarah Roy:

Since the announcement that VHS players will no longer be manufactured, is the format now obsolete? I don't know when the planned end date for manufacture is, or if they've already stopped making them. Or is there a set standard for "obsolete" beyond "can't get all the stuff anymore"?

I'm also curious about what equipment you are (or would be) using to convert the tapes.

http://www.hammacher.com/publish/74081.asp?source=FROOGLE

Re: VHS to DVD conversion

2008-05-21T22:35:21Z

The end of VHS. This makes me feel so old! Especially since my first vcr viewing was done on Betamax! Interestingly my wife and I decided just last weekend to give away all our commercial VHS tapes rather than replace our broken (no rewind) VCR. I suppose if most people are making similar decisions that would cut into sales a bit.

Is there an official "death of the format" announcement out there somewhere? I've only seen references to it being dead because movie studios are no longer releasing films on VHS. I imagine the soap opera time-shifting fan base still remains large.

And BTW, welcome Serafina. Make sure you stop into the "[url http://www.webjunction.org/forums/forum.jspa?forumID=17]getting started[/url]" forum, [url http://www.webjunction.org/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=690&tstart=0]Introduce Yourself to WebJunction[/url], and get your official greeting from the WJ community!

Re: VHS to DVD conversion

2008-05-21T21:26:23Z

Re: VHS to DVD conversion

2008-04-24T20:23:25Z

Hi Gabor,

You might want to consider keeping the tape originals. The coating on many DVDs, especially home-brewed (burned) ones, is quite thin. They can be made unwatchable pretty easily.

I'd consider all of your VHS tapes as "deteriorating" (if only a wee bit) and make copies.

(How one can make copies of lost or stolen tapes, per ALA's tip, is quite beyond me!)

Re: VHS to DVD conversion

2008-04-24T16:17:29Z

I found ALA's answer and will go with that:
http://wikis.ala.org/professionaltips/index.php/VHS_to_DVD%3F

"Is it a copyright violation to convert to DVD and discontinue use of the VHS tapes?

A. Yes, in most cases. Reproducing a VHS to DVD without the prior permission of the rights-holder is an infringement of copyright. This kind of reproduction is not exempt because it is not "fair use" as defined in Section 107 of the Copyright Code (see Fair Use) and it does not qualify as a lawful reproduction under Section 108 of the Copyright Code (see Making Digital Copies).

However, in a situation where the VHS tape is lost, stolen or deteriorating or is in an obsolete format (a 3/4" tape is obsolete because the equipment is no longer being sold, but a VHS tape is not obsolete) and is not available in the DVD format in the market for a reasonable cost, the library can make a reproduction. But if the reproduction is in a digital format (DVD is digital), then that copy cannot leave the library premises. "

This means that I will check for each VHS tapes we have whether a DVD version of the same thing exists or not. If not, I will convert them to DVDs. If yes I will keep the VHS and try to buy the DVD version as budget allows.

VHS to DVD conversion

2008-04-23T19:35:58Z

I know that DVD is no longer an "emerging" technology but this seemed the best area to post tis question.

I am considering converting the 100 or so VHS tapes to DVDs in the small private (synagogue) library I work at. I am wondering what the legal considerations are. Is my assumption correct that as long as I treat the DVD copies the same as the VHS (i.e. same borrowing policies) and only circulate one or the other, I am not doing anything illegal? How would you approach this issue?

I heard of a library where after conversion the tapes were destroyed. This way they ensured that only one copy survived of each movie. Another example I heard was that the DVDs were considered the "originals" and VHS tapes as "backups." This way the originals could be circulated, while the legal "backup" copies also existed.

I am short on space that is the main reason for the conversion. Besides the fact that most patrons want DVDs and not VHS tapes nowadays.