Libraries Under Attack

Demanding A Ban on Digital ContentSchools and libraries possess the expertise and responsibility to choose, license/buy and manage digital content useful to their local communities.

Some individuals in Colorado are attacking libraries and librarians for doing that work and are claiming that databases and e-book collections are full of pornography. Previously these individuals have demanded a statewide ban of all databases and certain e-book products. Lately, the demands are for schools and libraries to discontinue their licenses to products from EBSCO, Gale/Cengage, Proquest, Overdrive and other library vendors.

This 2024 updated guide “Demanding a Ban on Digital Content: A Guide for Understanding Challenges to the Electronic Resources in Your Library or School” will help the reader better understand these claims. It offers practical information, strategies and facts for libraries and schools to use in discussing this topic with their local communities.

If you have any questions, please Contact Us.

Related: CLiC Dropped from Lawsuit

Keywords: Guide, Toolkit, Banning, Censorship, Freedom to Read, Intellectual Freedom

CE for the Season

 

One down, two to go… Our Spring Workshops are known for practical and valuable content. Fort Morgan registration is already FULL! Reserve your spot now for Pueblo… [Read more…]

CE for Supervisors & Directors

 

Our Spring Workshops are known for practical and valuable content, including sessions perfectly tailored to Supervisors and Directors! [Read more…]

A New Year’s Present

It’s a new year, and we have a present for you! The Marmot Digital Archive became accessible via Pika (the patron interface for AspenCat) starting on January 2, 2018.

The Marmot Digital Archive has been beautifully integrated into Pika and allows for seamless discovery for anyone using the interface. You’ll see links to relevant “digital archive objects” in search results as well as in grouped works and individual records.

For example, if a patron searches for the keyword “quilts” they’ll see books and the usual material AND ALSO see links to items in the Vail Vintage Quilts archive collection! At that point, the patron can click on one of the archive objects and will be drawn directly in to explore that item and other digital objects.

Similarly, when exploring digital archive objects, will see links to other related objects in other collections as well as physical holdings at the library.

The Marmot Digital Archive holds several different collections provided by participating Colorado libraries featuring a range of topics and items specific to Colorado history. The value of these digital collections is immeasurable. Dive in for yourself and you’ll soon be “thumbing” though all kinds of digital objects: oral histories, postcards, yearbooks, quilt squares, and photographs. These collections will have particular value for students looking for primary resources, patrons doing genealogy research, and anyone who loves to follow the rabbit hole of discovery!

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you might have.

Oh, and did we mention: this new access to digital content comes part and parcel (with a bow!) with your library’s membership in AspenCat, so there will be no additional cost for access to this amazing resource.

Practical, Affordable.

Spring Workshop registration is now open. Grab your seats soon before these events fill up…

  • Grand Junction – Thursday, March 15 & Friday, March 16 at Colorado Mesa University
  • Fort Morgan – Thursday, March 29 at Morgan Community College
  • Pueblo – Thursday, April 19 & Friday, April 20 at Pueblo Community College

Click here for the 2018 Spring Workshop lineup, including details like schedules and session descriptions.

Also, if $$ is tight and you need assistance, apply for a scholarship here!