Copyright Waffle Episode 24 with Richard Ovenden - Bodley's Librarian
Sep 22, 2023
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Richard Ovenden, Bodley's Librarian, discusses leading a prestigious research library, copyright challenges in preserving knowledge, failed UK government initiatives, data mining exceptions, private tech platforms' impact on knowledge access, digital archive preservation, mentorship in the library profession, societal surveillance implications, and book recommendations with a dash of sweet treats.
Preservation of digital data requires balancing access with ethical considerations to ensure transparency and accountability.
Historical perspectives help in understanding copyright challenges and emphasize the importance of regulating access to preserve knowledge.
Mentors play a crucial role in shaping leadership qualities, instilling values of generosity and community engagement in the library profession.
Deep dives
Challenging the Digital Landscape with Copyright and Preservation
Preservation and access intersect in the digital age as institutions strive to navigate the challenges of archiving digital content. The podcast discusses the legal and ethical dilemmas surrounding the preservation of online data, highlighting the importance of regulating access to ensure transparency and accountability. The evolving role of libraries and archives in digital preservation is emphasized, shedding light on the hurdles faced by institutions in capturing, managing, and making accessible born-digital information.
The Intersection of History and Copyright
The episode delves into the role of history and archives in understanding contemporary challenges related to copyright and surveillance. Through historical perspectives, the value of preserving knowledge and enabling broader access is explored. The discussion on the tension between preservation and access reveals the need for reevaluating regulatory frameworks and resourcing to balance historical preservation with public accessibility.
Influence of Mentorship in Libraries
Reflecting on personal experiences, Richard Ovenden shares the pivotal mentors who shaped his career in libraries. From Beth Ray, the Keeper of Rare Books at Durham University Library, to Moira Smith, the University Librarian at Oxford, these mentors instilled values of generosity, openness, and listening to the community. Their guidance influenced Ovenden's approach to mentorship and leadership in the library profession.
Sweet Treats and Scholarly Pursuits
In a bonus segment, Richard Ovenden reveals his penchant for chocolate treats, particularly a decadent chocolate cake with Amaretto biscuits. His love for chocolaty delights reflects a passion for homemade desserts, aligning with his meticulous approach to preserving historical archives. Ovenden's indulgence in chocolate brownies mirrors his dedication to curating and safeguarding knowledge through the ages.
Parting Wisdom and Future Podcasts
As the podcast episode comes to a close, the hosts express gratitude for the enlightening conversation with Richard Ovenden. They tease upcoming episodes and hint at new discussions on a variety of engaging topics. With a promise of more enriching content in the future, the hosts bid farewell with anticipation for continued exploration of copyright and scholarly pursuits in upcoming episodes.
Jane and Chris talk to Richard Ovenden OBE: Bodley's 25th librarian (and Chris's ultimate boss) about leading one of the world's greatest research libraries, his best selling book 'Burning the Books' and the copyright implications of preserving knowledge in the 21st century.
Photo credit: John Cairns
Links to things mentioned in the podcast:
Meet Bodley's Librarian: https://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/about/libraries/bodleys-librarian
Burning the Books Radio 4 serialisation: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000m4pm
Tolkein at the Bodleian: https://tolkien.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/
Amazon's Rings of Power: https://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-Power-Season/dp/B09QH98YG1
Withdrawal of UK proposal to expand scope of text and data mining (TDM): https://www.allenovery.com/en-gb/global/blogs/data-hub/uk-re-considers-proposed-exception-for-text-and-data-mining
UK Web Archive: https://www.webarchive.org.uk/ukwa/
Richard's journey to Bodley's Librarian: https://blogs.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/oxfordtrainees/opening-doors-the-journey-to-bodleys-librarian/
Deal Library, Kent: https://local.kent.gov.uk/kb5/kent/directory/service.page?id=5GDeJlwVtCg
Ian Mowat, Historian and forward thinking librarian: https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/11953652.ian-mowat-historian-and-forward-thinking-librarian/
Cliff Lynch, director of the Coalition for Networked Information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifford_Lynch
The File by Timothy Garton Ash: https://atlantic-books.co.uk/book/the-file/
Privacy is Power by Carissa Veliz: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/442343/privacy-is-power-by-carissa-veliz/9780552177719
Simon Hopkinson's Saint-emilion au Chocolat: https://racheleats.wordpress.com/2008/09/15/saint-emilion-au-chocolat/
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