Digital information and the 'privatisation of knowledge'

Purpose of this paper: To point out that past models of information ownership may not carry over to the age of digital information. The fact that public ownership of information (for example, by means of national and public library collections) created social benefits in the past does not mean that a greater degree of private sector involvement in information provision in the knowledge society of today is synonymous with an abandonment of past ideals of social information provision. Design/methodology/approach: A brief review of recent issues in digital preservation and national electronic heritage management, with an examination of the public/private sector characteristics of each issue. Findings: Private companies and philanthropic endeavours focussing on the business of digital information provision have done some things - which in the past we have associated with the public domain - remarkably well. It is probably fair to say that this has occurred against the pattern of expectation of the library profession. Research limitations/Implications:The premise of this paper is that LIS research aimed at predicting future patterns of problem solving in information work should avoid the narrow use of patterns of public-private relationships inherited from a previous, print-based information order. Practical implications: This paper suggests practical ways in which the library and information profession can improve digital library services by looking to form creative partnerships with private sector problem solvers. What is original/value of the paper? This paper argues that the LIS profession should not take a doctrinaire approach to commercial company involvement in 'our' information world. Librarians should facilitate collaboration between all parties, both public and private, to create original solutions to contemporary information provision problems. In this way we can help create pragmatic, non-doctrinaire solutions that really do work for the citizens of our contemporary information society

Families and Substance Abuse: The Case For A Comprehensive Approach

The California Legislature established the Joint Select Task Force on the Changing Family in September, 1987. It was charged with studying the social, economic, and demographic trends affecting California\u27s families, assessing the significance of those trends for public policy, and recommending to the Legislature and the public policies that will better meet the needs of today\u27s families. During its three-year tenure, the Task Force held hearings and public meetings in cities across the state, received testimony from a wide range of experts, and listened to the concerns of many kinds of families. The findings and recommendations of the Task Force are reflected in several publications. Planning a Family Policy for California, the first year report of the Task Force, outlined major trends affecting the state\u27s families and the inadequacies of our current policies. That report has been supplemented by several subsequent reports, including Falling Through the Safety Net: The Health Care Crisis and California\u27s Families, Housing California\u27s Families: The End of the American Dream? and Families and Adolescents: Dealing with Today\u27s Realities. This report, Families and Substance Abuse: The Case for A comprehensive Approach, reflects the specific concerns of the Task Force regarding a topic much on the public agenda. It is not intended as scholarly research, but rather as a presentation of issues and recommendations intended to contribute to the public discussion. The Task Force hopes Families and Substance Abuse will stimulate debate, contribute to public awareness, and motivate the Legislature and citizens of the state to address these issues of vital concern to California\u27s families. The Task Force welcomes comments as part of its ongoing effort to respond to public input and promote the health and stability of the state\u27s families