Public Libraries and Blockchain by M Ryan Hess, Library Services Manager – Digital Initiatives, Palo Alto City Library There are some tantalizing possibilities for public libraries with regard to blockchain technologies. One promising technology in the library context is Ethereum, a programmable blockchain platform. Unlike other blockchain technologies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum was designed for multiple use-cases. At Ethereum’s heart, is the blockchain, which allows automated, […]
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Law and the Blockchain By Debbie Ginsberg Educational Technology Librarian, Chicago-Kent College of Law The blockchain explosion is affecting many sectors, not least of which is the law. Already, this technology is affecting not only the practice of law, but the law itself. Practice of Law One of the major legal practices affected by blockchain is contracts. Programmable blockchains are capable of creating “smart contracts” – […]
I’ve worked in law libraries for the past twelve years, doing pretty much everything. I’ve been a corporate librarian, a map librarian, cataloger, an acquisitions librarian, a reference librarian, and now I’m Technology Services Librarian at Cornell Law Library. This week, along with Debbie Ginsberg of Chicago-Kent, I’m giving a webinar to the American Association of Law Libraries on Blockchain, and what it will mean for […]
Please post questions, comments, and suggestions here for anything related to: Understanding blockchain technology Individuals/organizations that should be represented at the national forum Resources to be added to this website Other
There is a lot of hype about the possible applications of blockchain technology. The distributed ledger technology is being considered in a variety of situations for governments and proprietary and non-profit organizations that include cryptography, cryptocurrency, data and financial management, and as a platform for many other applications. Blockchain is little more than a current buzzword, and the information on this website is intended to provide […]
A national forum attended by select individuals to discuss the ways in which libraries/information centers can form partnerships with community organizations to utilize blockchain technology will be organized. National Forum comprised of 20-30 technical experts in libraries, blockchain technology, and urban planning to identify and discuss key opportunities for libraries to serve as community anchors using blockchain technology. Please add ideas for discussion and organizations that […]
Investigation of Possible Uses of Blockchain Technology by Libraries-Information Centers to Support City-Community Goals ( LG-98-17-0209-17) Abstract The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Leadership Grants program awarded funding for a project focusing on the potential uses of blockchain technology that can extend library services to meet the needs of communities. The San José State University (SJSU) School of Information (iSchool) is the lead […]
Blockchain is exactly what it is named, a chain of blocks. Each block contains a record of information, such as a deed for a house, the metadata for an image, or potentially, a bibliographic record. The chain that links these blocks together means that if someone wants to change the information in one block of the blockchain without that change being obvious, they would also need […]