The Future of Libraries: Blockchain Reaction – Library 2.0 Use Cases Blockchain technology has the disruptive potential for libraries to accomplish much more than house electronic credentials. The implementation of blockchain will have a broad impact within the global information profession and for all types of library users. Self-sovereign Identity (SSI) paired with a blockchain protocol for libraries to support digital inclusion and digital literacy, rare book […]
blockchain
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The recently published ACE Education Blockchain Initiative study, Connected Impact: Unlocking Education and Workforce Opportunity Through Blockchain, resonates strongly with the results of an on-going investigation at the San Jose State University School of Information that was originally funded by IMLS.[1] The results of our project provided clear directives for a continued investigation to reach the next stage of maturity by developing and piloting blockchain models that […]
The Blockyball or Blockhelix is on the way. Quantum computing is here. Google made it work with a 53 qubit processor called Sycamore cooled to nearly absolute zero. The 3 minutes and 30 seconds of calculations done would take 100,000 computers 10,000 years to replicate. IBM says that their own 53 qubit processor, with conventional engineering, could replicate Google’s results in 2 1/2 days. It […]
Learning from Healthcare Healthcare is one area of Blockchain application that libraries can learn from. For example, it is currently under consideration as a means of helping stem the tide of counterfeit prescriptions. It would be more important than most applications, because counterfeit drugs are a 200 billion dollar market. They are often made with wrong ingredients. Other sources point to issues in other arenas that […]
So far, I have been unable to find an identity that works on multiple networks. Please comment if you have. In the library world, we have OCLC, which is a network of networks. Melvyl linked the UC system and was eventually subsumed into the larger co-op. If libraries make their own network (again, remember it would replace a co-op), would it be only one network? Would […]
Back in 1978, California passed Proposition 13, which began the defunding of many public services, including libraries. It was the beginning of what was branded right away as the Tax Revolt. The journal of academic librarianship understood it right away. An editorial by RMD in the July issue of that year referring to librarians said, “They must sell libraries to their communities.” After what was a stirring […]
Today, I heard from Georgina Serey at the Chilean National Library. I had asked for a demo ID to use to wander around their holdings. This link shows how to get an ID for numerous online services. It turns out that one needs a national ID called RUN (Rol Único Nacional) first. The two most interesting features appear to guard against hacks. The first is that […]
While contacting libraries that use Blockchain to look for a demo, I came across this one. It is headquartered in Santiago, Chile. There are branches in other countries, and the English version of the acronym is ECLAC, which is the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. In spite of the events in Chile at this writing, the site is still working. Their collection of […]
Earlier, I posted my translated excerpt of the paper linked below. The link leads to the IFLA site, which now has the original paper, along with the official English translation in its entirety. VERA LOBOS, Felipe and LAGOS LAGOS, Hernán (2019) Decentralizing Latin American library infrastructure: Testing and pilot implementation of a decentralized library lending system based on credentials of sovereign and interchangeable users built with Blockchain technology. […]
SF Blockchain Week is where blockchain startups, enterprise companies, academics, developers, and investors from around the world come together to define the future of blockchain and cryptocurrencies. The main events for SFBW are the following: CESC | October 28 – 29, 2019 | UC Berkeley Blockchain Career Fair | October 30, 2019 | UC Berkeley Epicenter | October 31 – November 1, 2019 | SF Downtown […]
For libraries, Blockchain represents the opportunity to build their own networks. Beyond being independent of such entities as OCLC, libraries will be able to redefine relationships with patrons. The lessons of the past show how this opportunity can either define the future or be passed by. Here are the three main lessons from the past of Bibframe, Word and Linux. Agreement to act is necessary. Bibframe […]
This could also be viewed as a MARC (MAchine Readable Cataloging) timeline. The story of why MARC continues and why Bibframe failed illustrates that it is not enough for something to be better or even for everyone to agree that the old solution has outlived its usefulness. There also has to be an agreement, either from the top or bottom, to use the new solution. Photo […]