Hi Everyone,
This a side thread which relates to the Mission discussion but that thread is getting pretty long. Here is my question (for which there may be no answer): IGKT-PAB has a very nice collection of knot and knotting related books. Since PAB is spread so far and wide most members will never visit the library. We do have a methodolgy for PAB members to borrow and return via mail. I am sure the IGKT has a library but know of no similar lending procedure for the international. Do other branches have lending libraries? How is it working out for your branch? Can anyone think of a way to create an electronic lending library without violating moral or legal copywrite laws? Collectively we have this vast storehouse of valuable research and illustration but I can see no way to share it as widely as it deserves. As I said in the beginning… there may be no answer but perhaps one of you can help.
Hi Roy,
Welcome back! Good question - how are you at typing or scanning using a document scanner? At the moment I am about halfway through getting ABOK into my own computer, by typing. Imagine having to do that for ALL reference books? What would be the purpose of having it electronic - the files would be too large to go by e-mail and someone would therefore have to set up an FTP site, or something like it, or perhaps sending CDs or DVDs by mail, I don’t know! Admittedly it would be nice, but … time!
I don’t think that International lends out materials from the library - it is strictly on a “be there, see there” basis as far as I know. Incidentally, who keeps the International’s collection of knots?
Lindsey
I can answer a couple of these questions.
The easy one first - The collection of ‘international’ knots is made up mainly of those where the Guild attempted to tie and display all the knots in ABOK in 1990 (we nearly got there too), together with the contributions made by members for 2K2 and other individual contributions. These are held mainly by the Chairman of the Council, (because we lost our free storage)and the Solent Branch.
The Guild Library - As listed on this web site, is held by me, the Guild Librarian. It consists of around 350 books and a collection of KM and other branch newsletters etc.
I take this to all the Guild Meetings in the UK, so that the members can utilise it over the period of the meeting. In addition to that a large number of the books are divided up into ‘loan boxes’ (30 - 35 books per box) which Branches are able to take on loan for a period of 6 months (between meetings) collecting and returning them at the meetings, so that a full set is available. The rare, delicate and originals are not included in the ‘loan boxes’ but can be viewed at meetings. Members can also ask me for information on the books, though I will not copy any copyright material.
Gordon
Hi Lindsey,
I did not know you were working on that sort of project. Maybe I can help.
Hi Gordon,
Would IGKT-PAB be eligible for the loan of a box (of course at our shipping expense)? I am not sure where I want to go with this but I am in the information gathering stage of the problem of sharing our wealth of info.
To all,
When I joined PAB I spent all my spare money (and some not so spare) to borrow the classic knot books. I’ve never regretted the expense.
I think the electronic library (copywrite to be respected) could be really simple but I am not a computer geek so don’t know for sure. One of my fellow engineers scans and “burns” CD’s of extensive material and I get huge specification manuals from our Washington State Department of Transportation on CD so I think the technology may be ripe for our needs… but the moral and legal issue is still at the fore.
I think PAB could put all of our back issues of Knot News on CD. Knot News is not about local branch events or who had a birthday but has always been our best effort at a good venue for new study. Joeseph Schmidbauer has been a wonderful editor and has inspired members from both the international and the local to submit material. Contributors include Geoffrey Budworth, Pieter van de Griend, Des Pawson and many others who’s names would be recognized in IGKT and in fact by the knotting community, world wide. I think all it will take is a simple note from PAB to the original contributor asking permission to reprint in an electronic medium. These authors are all dedicated knotters and would (I hope) be happy to see the articles available on a larger scale.
How about Knotting Matters? I know it is fund raiser and I bought all the back issues I could (or could not) afford. I cherish them and never lack for something to read and re-read. I think we could start our expanded library with publications where we either have the copywrite or can easly obtain it. We don’t have to give it away on the internet but we could offer it at cost plus 10% or some such. I get 100 blank CD’s at a penny each… how much is it going to cost me to burn all of Knot News?
Yes, I want to draw new members. If you can get the milk for free why buy a cow? Why not have one price of the complete set for members and one price for the public? I don’t want to give away all the information in Knot News… but I don’t want to see it buried in a file cabinet either.
Does anyone know when a copywrite expires? Have some of the older books become public domain?
Roy,
There is an ongoing project to put all the back numbers of KM on CD - I will check on progress at the AGM and let you know how it is going.
The practicalities of shipping a box of books to the USA would mean that you only have them for about 6 weeks out of the 6 months and I don’t think it would be cost effective.
Personally I hate e-books, but some very useful ones are cropping up on the Internet. Dover and The Press at Toad Hall in the USA are making facimilies of many of the old classics like Verill’s ‘Knots Splices and Ropework’ and Tom Bowling’s ‘The Knot Book’. Nodoubt others are too.
Gordon
Gordon,
Thanks for the info. I’ll check on the Toad Hall. I wait with great anticipation for the possibility of KM CD.
I am not very fond of PC screens (perhaps I wouldn’t say I hate them… but close enough). However, in my climate the mold and mildew take books away in a short time so the durability of electronic media is very attractive, to say nothing of space saving.