Re: Donating Debian CDs to libraries
Hello.
OK, now I'm a little confused...what exactly is the problem here?
It's kinda looking like the library is jerking you around.
I mean, on one hand, you say that they already have a CDROM collection.
Yet, on the other hand they are claiming that they do not have the
ability to deal with the donation of software. I don't want to be
jumping to conclusions, but it sounds like they are shovelling a bunch of
bull poop your way.
That really disappoints me. Most of the librarians I know are, if not
users of free/open source software, at least sympathetic to/fans of such
software. After all, we are talking about a profession that thrives on
the free flow of information.
So it looks like the problem is not adding the CDROM set to their
collection and the related cataloging issues, but good old fashioned FUD?
Am I off base here?
As far as cataloging the CDROMS is concerned, if this library is a member of
OCLC, then they should be able to copy the catalog record for Debian Potato
(which is in OCLC WorldCat...twice) and modify it for Woody. If they
aren't members of OCLC and were able to catalog the other CDROMs in their
collection then they certainly can catalog the Debian CDROM set. If
they claim otherwise then they are presenting you with a falsehood.
You library could be handling its cataloging in any number of ways (it
could be done in house, as part of a consortium, or outsourced, or some
other way not coming to mind right now), so I'm a bit reluctant to pass
judgement on them on this front. Nonetheless, I find it a bit silly that
they are having you provide the bibliographic information for the CDROMs.
They, after all, are professionals and should be able to do this.
Do you think that printing up the Debian install guide, new user guide,
etc., and then running down to kinko's and having them bound and
donating them along with the CDROM set would help with their 'we can't
support such software' line of reasoning? I think it would be a good
thing to to. After all, I would have been utterly lost without such
documents when I was a new Debian user (heck, there are plenty of days
still when I have to RTFM to get by), and I think the CDROMs (without
documentation) at the library would cause more problems than necessary
to Joe and Jane Average Library User who are curious about this Linux
thing they saw in USA Today.
Regardless, I'm sure the library doesn't provide end user support for the other
CDROMs in their collection...so that argument just doesn't wash.
I really like this idea, and think I may venture down to my hometown
library and do this myself. That is, once I get a job and can afford to
buy an official cd set and have the manuals bound. ;-)
I hope this all works out for you folks.
cheers
-aaron
Reply to: