Wi-Fi in the “White Space”Unused TV spectrum offers libraries potential for rural broadband

PublicAccessPolicyToolkitforLibraries

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En síntesis, el acceso significativo a la información requiere cuatro elementos clave:1.Una infraestructura de acceso a la información y las comunicaciones2.Un contexto social positivo para su utilización3.La capacidad necesaria de la comunidad y sus miembros4.Un contexto legal y político favorable

Research funders are playing an increasingly important role in scholarly communication. Their desire to measure and to improve the returns on their investments emphasises accountability and dissemination. These factors have been behind their support of and mandates for open access (and the related, though less contentious policies on data sharing). These policies have also increased the importance of (and some say the abuse of) metrics such as Impact Factor and more recently are creating part of the market for research assessment services (page88).

There is continued interest in expanding access by identifying and addressing these specific barriers to access or access gaps. While open access has received most attention, other ideas explored have included increased funding for national licences to extend and rationalise cover; walk-in access via public libraries (a national scheme was piloted in the UK in 2014); the development of licences for sectors such as central and local government, the voluntary sector, and businesses (page 84)

The most commonly cited barriers to access are cost barriers and pricing, but other barriers cited in surveys include: lack of awareness of available resources; a burdensome purchasing procedure; VAT on digital publications; format and IT problems; lack of library membership; and conflict between the author’s or publisher’s rights and the desired use of the content (page 84).

In the context of a complex system – computer, financial or underground transit – the political divide is always between well-organised, active insiders versus diffuse, passive outsiders. Hackers challenge the binary by seeking access, either by literally ‘cracking’ boundaries – breaking in – or by redefining the lines between those with permission and those without. We might call this appropriation.