Re: [LM_NET] GEN: Bookless Library

[Barbara Braxton <barbara.288@BIGPOND.COM>]

 Carol raised an interesting perspective about whether costs will cover the 
royalties on the images,
let alone those on the words which form the author's income.  $17 would hardly 
cover the production,
packaging and distribution costs.

From an author's perspective, (which the principal mentioned is obviously not 
considering), if there
isn't a decent return for your labour because publishers negotiate contracts with 
diminished
royalties because of a diminished return, then there will be fewer textbooks to 
choose from and the
quality of those that there are, might be suspect.  

One day, probably not in my lifetime though, people will start to realise that 
teachers and authors
are not like nuns and priests who have a calling to a vocation - we chose the 
profession, it didn't
choose us and we are there to make a living.

In 2003, when I had a high profile in the teacher librarian world here, I had many 
requests to write
papers for this or for that publication but there was never mention of payment for 
my time and
expertise - and even 200 words can take hours to craft.  In the end I refused, 
saying they were
devaluing the role of the teacher librarian by expecting things for free, 
especially when their
publication wasn't.  In Australia, this is not a world of "publish or be damned" 
and the "thrill' of
seeing your name in print doesn't put food on the table.

So while bookless libraries might make economic sense to short-sighted principals, 
someone still has
to write the material for the digital delivery format and they'd want to be sure 
that the best of
the best to do that are rewarded well enough to keep doing it.

Barbara

Barbara Braxton
Teacher Librarian
COOMA NSW 2630
AUSTRALIA

E. barbara.288@bigpond.com
Together we learn from each other 

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Please note: All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
  You can prevent most e-mail filters from deleting LM_NET postings
  by adding LM_NET@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU to your e-mail address book.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET  2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
 3) SET LM_NET MAIL  4) SET LM_NET DIGEST  * Allow for confirmation.
 * LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
 * LM_NET Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
 * EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://lm-net.info/
 * LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
 * LM_NET Wiki: http://lmnet.wikispaces.com/
--------------------------------------------------------------------