Likely the student farthest away, this is my first semester in the MLIS degree program and I just moved to Kigali, Rwanda. My spouse works at the U.S. Embassy in Kigali. This is our third overseas tour. I have previously worked in human resources and the community liaison office at the Embassy/Consulates at our other postings but would like to pivot toward education and librarianship in hopes of working at an international school. My kids are “third culture kids”, and I know the challenges they face will be great. That being said, great literature and sound resources have seen me through many trials and unlocked new cultures. I hope to guide my own kids and others like them towards the same curiosity and solace as they make sense of their life abroad.
One question I still have about copyrights relates to my personal experience with my public library this summer and e-book licenses. In June our library in Alexandria obtained a large number of anti-racist and Black-authored e-book licenses for use by its patrons. The wait list for multiple popular nonfiction and fiction books on these topics went from hundreds to zero overnight. Naturally all of these books are copyrighted, but in this scenario who paid the creators? Did they get shortchanged? Did the library have a donor cover the e-book licenses? Did the publisher eat the cost? I think making this content available to the public at this time was admirable, but I’m curious as to who paid for it in the end. I hope the authors were compensated fairly for their work!
It sounds like you lead an exciting life! I find it amazing that your children have been able to adjust to different cultures. I envy your world experience and the perspective it must give you when taking on new challenges. I agree that it is a nice thought that your local library made anti-racist and Black-authored e-book licenses for use without the wait list that was an obstacle but agree that the authors of such works should always be compensated due to the value that such materials brings to others.
Hi Meagan,
Wow, that’s quite the move! That’s an interesting scenario regarding the e-books and their licenses. I agree that making the content available to a wider audience was timely, but you’re right – I hope the authors were compensated for all those who suddenly had access!
Thanks! I look forward to understanding more about e-book licenses and copyrights as we get further into the class.
Wow! What an adventure your life must be with embassies. What a great question about the licenses–I too wonder how that works.