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Weekly News Digest
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February 25, 2016 — In addition to this week's NewsBreaks article and the monthly NewsLink Spotlight, Information Today, Inc. (ITI) offers Weekly News Digests that feature recent product news and company announcements. Watch for additional coverage to appear in the next print issue of Information Today.
CLICK HERE to view more Weekly News Digest items.
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Google May Introduce Recommended Articles in Chrome
According to an article on VentureBeat, Google is developing a feature for its Chrome browser that will provide article recommendations on the New Tab page for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS devices. The company is currently running tests and is not making a formal announcement. The list of recommendations would be based on the user’s most-visited sites and would be more personalized for users who log in to Chrome.For more information, read the article.
NISO Studies Link Sources for Library Searches
NISO (National Information Standards Organization) approved the development of a Recommended Practice for Tracking Link Origins in a Networked Information Environment. “As libraries strive to improve the ways in which users access their collections, gaining a definitive understanding of where a user began his or her library search before ultimately arriving at library-licensed content is an important factor for library staff in determining the value of a platform and how to allocate resources,” the press release states. The recommended practice will offer effective and scalable options for content hosts and individual libraries to determine original link sources. Anyone interested in joining the project’s working group should contact NISO for more information.For more information, read the press release.
ALA Supports Apple's Decision to Uphold Privacy
The American Library Association (ALA) issued a statement in support of Apple’s opposition to building a “backdoor” into iPhones. Tim Cook, the company’s CEO, had posted an open letter to customers on Feb. 16, 2016, that explained the following:The United States government has demanded that Apple take an unprecedented step which threatens the security of our customers. … When the FBI has requested data that’s in our possession, we have provided it. Apple complies with valid subpoenas and search warrants … But now the U.S. government has asked us for something we simply do not have, and something we consider too dangerous to create. … Specifically, the FBI wants us to make a new version of the iPhone operating system, circumventing several important security features, and install it on an iPhone recovered during the [San Bernardino shooting] investigation. In the wrong hands, this software—which does not exist today—would have the potential to unlock any iPhone in someone’s physical possession. … We oppose this order, which has implications far beyond the legal case at hand.
For more information, read the press release.
SourceMedia Plans to Branch Out
Digital media company SourceMedia partnered with Triumvirate Content Consultants (TCC) to centralize management of SourceMedia’s content licensing operation with TCC so it can expand into new markets and distribution channels, as well as expand its platforms and services. TCC will be responsible for the content licensing for all of SourceMedia’s brands and professional communities.For more information, read the press release.
Open eBooks App Launches to Provide Digital Learning to All Students
The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) announced the launch of Open eBooks, an e-reading app that makes thousands of ebooks available for free to children living in low-income households. Providing more than $250 million in content, this launch complements the ConnectED initiative the White House introduced in April 2015 to give all young people high-quality digital learning tools.DPLA, First Book, and The New York Public Library partnered to create Open eBooks, with Baker & Taylor providing content support. This group also curated the ebook collection and developed its distribution and usage systems. Participating publishers include the Big Five, National Geographic, Bloomsbury, and Cricket Media. For more information, read the press release.
Ex Libris Alma Integrates With Copyright Platform
Ex Libris Group, a ProQuest company, partnered with the U.K.’s Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd. (CLA) to help develop CLA’s Digital Content Store (DCS), a rights, technology, and content platform for higher education institutions that will feature a searchable repository of PDF extracts and a workflow management tool. Ex Libris Group will integrate the Ex Libris Alma resource management solution into the DCS so institutions using Alma will be able to link their library catalogs with the DCS and run an automatic check to see if they own specific books or journals. (Institutions must own an original copy of a book or journal before using a CLS license to digitize it.)The DCS will be fully operational later in 2016. For more information, read the press release.
News Corp Announces New Political Website
News Corp will launch Heat Street, a new right-wing website. Louise Mensch, a former member of the British Parliament, will lead the site. She describes it as libertarian and uses #NoSafeSpaces in her Twitter announcement to show the site’s commitment to free speech and diverse viewpoints. Miles Goslett was named the U.K. editor; more staff members will be hired in the near future.For more information, read the article.
SAGE Adopts New Online Publishing Platform
SAGE Publications announced that Atypon will host all SAGE Journals content on its online publishing platform Literatum, which is designed to support active publishing strategies. SAGE will retain control of publication site designs and the delivery of user experiences, such as personalized content. Adding SAGE Journals makes Literatum the platform for 30% of all English-language scholarly journals.For more information, read the press release.
Annual Reviews Releases Vision Science Journal
Annual Reviews published the first volume of its Annual Review of Vision Science, a journal that details progress in the field of vision science, which intersects with psychology, neuroscience, computer science, cell biology and genetics, and clinical medicine. Topics in this volume include scientific and engineering advances in understanding retinal image formation (along with the clinical application of this knowledge), progress made in understanding retinal function and development, and links between behaviors (e.g., eye movements and color perception) and neurobiology. The journal is available for free online until November 2016.For more information, read the press release.
Innovative Rolls Out Encore Updates
Innovative introduced Encore Release 4.5, the newest version of the Encore Discovery Solution that is fully integrated with the Sierra Services Platform and the Millennium ILS. New functionality includes a native My Account in the mobile app with patron features, integration with Baker & Taylor’s Axis 360 circulation platform, Research Starters for Encore Duet (links to related information and bibliographies), an updated user interface for the Advanced Search page of Encore Duet, and the ability to add genre facets in addition to the existing custom facets.For more information, read the press release.
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Brandi Scardilli
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