Facebook, Privacy, and Ownership of Content

You might have spotted something along the lines of this in the status of your friends on Facebook:

In response to the new Facebook guidelines, I hereby declare that my copyright is attached to all of my personal details, illustrations, graphics, comics, paintings, photos, and videos, etc. (as a result of the Berner Convention). For any and all commercial use of the above my written consent is required in every instance.

(Those reading this may copy and paste this text on their Facebook walls. This will place them under protection of copyright laws. By the present communiqué, I hereby notify Facebook that it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, disseminate, or take any other action against me on the basis of this profile and/or its contents. The aforementioned prohibited actions also apply to employees, students, agents, and/or any staff under Facebook’s direction or control. The content of this profile is private and confidential information. The violation of my privacy is punishable by law (UCC 1 1-308-308 1-103 and the Rome Statute).

Facebook is now an open capital entity. All members are recommended to publish a notice like this, or if you prefer, then you may copy and paste this version. If you do not publish a statement at least once, you will be allowing tacitly the use of elements such as your photos, as well as the information contained in your profile status updates

As noted in this article from Time magazine, this message is a hoax. It, and any variation thereof, has exactly zero impact as to how Facebook can use the data and content that you post via the site. And they can do this due to the terms and conditions of use that all users agree to prior to creating and maintaining a Facebook account. No amounting of posting in your status bar is going to change the TOS (terms of service), so if you aren't happy with how Facebook is using your data, you are out of luck unless you A) close your account (where it is still a bit murky as to what the company does and does not keep of your data), B) never post information that you're not comfortable as public knowledge, or C) hope that Facebook changes/amends its TOS.

What this all settles down to is that it's important to pay at least some level of attention to the terms and conditions of use on any website that you're using, particularly those that are responsible for your personal data.  Much like the notes and references sections on an academic articles, it might be tempting just to skip over that information; however, you could be missing important information, such as how the company can use your data and what your options are.  This is why you should never just click "I agree" and forget about it, as it could come back to bite you. If you don't want someone to use the info that you post online, the best answer is never to post it all.
-Katelyn, Head of Reference

My Job at the Library

This is my fifth year working here at the library, and I have enjoyed this job the entire time. For me working at the library has given me a time to get all of my homework done in a relatively quiet place. I also get to see a lot of people I normally wouldn’t have gotten to see otherwise. Some of my friends had very different schedules from me but when I was working they would come over for a short chat before studying. It has always been nice to have the library here as a place where I can get work done, but still have a chance to meet with friends. ~Miranda

Coe Etiquette Book 1941 - Dance Etiquette

I must say I am a little sorry for the guys attending dances in 1941, everything was their fault!  Though, I imagine the girl regretted taking advantage of this advice when she failed to get a second date after stepping on the guys toes one too many times.

Today dances are just one of many options for social events on campus.  How does the etiquette described here compare to dance etiquette today?  Are there any bits of past dance etiquette that should be brought back?

~Sara Pitcher, Archives Assistant

Coe Etiquette Book 1941 - Clothes and What to Wear

We don't have a "dress-up" day in the cafeteria anymore.  Does anyone think we should?

If this is the dress code for a college student in 1941, what would the dress code for 2012 look like?  What should and shouldn't be worn to class, campus events, and formal occasions?

~Sara Pitcher, Archives Assistant

Marvin Cone and his legacy at Coe College

Ever wondered about the art galleries that are bathed in sunlight, right inside the front doors of the library? The paintings in these galleries belong to Marvin Cone, a native of Cedar Rapids who graduated from Coe College in 1914 and was on faculty at Coe from 1919 to 1960. In fact, Cone started the Art Department at Coe! He began as a French professor and established the Art Department in 1934.

Marvin Cone is known as one of the most important Iowa artists, as was his close life-time friend, Grant Wood. Grant Wood is known most famously for his “American Gothic.” The Winnifred M. Cone galleries, named after Cone’s wife, feature 60 works of art by Marvin Cone. You can read more about the artworks in the library here.

Marvin Cone is also currently being featured at a solo exhibition at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art; the show is up until January 20, 2012. You can find out more information about the exhibition here.

Pictured above: “Old Quarry, Stone City”, 1936, oil on canvas

--Laura, Head of Audiovisual

Working from off-campus over the holiday break

With Thanksgiving and the break that accompanies it fast approaching, I wanted to remind everyone of a few things before they leave campus.

1) If you want to use the library's databases from home (or wherever you might be traveling),  make sure that you are first logging into My.Coe.  Once logged in to the site, you head to the "Campus Life" tab, from which you can access many of the college's most popular databases.  You cannot go to the library's website from home to access the databases; you have to be logged in and accessing through My.Coe so that the system can verify that you are a Coe student.  However, you can still browse the library's catalog from home if you are so inclined.

2) If you are currently in a class that using any database available through a campus trial at this time, be aware that these databases and their resources are only available from on-campus.

3) If you need research help, or have questions on ILL, remember that the reference department will be here and available on campus through the end of the day on Wednesday.  Feel free to call or email us with your questions.
Thanks, everyone, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Katelyn, Head of Reference

One Second After

One day last week Tyler came into work tired because he stayed up too late reading a book.  When I asked him about this book and why he found it so captivating we had a short discussion about how we would react to an emergency situation and how Cedar Rapids reacted to the flood.  I asked him to write a review so maybe others would have an interest.  Currently the Coe Library does not have the book on the shelves but it is a current topic about our society.  Here's his review......Sandy

Imagine living in a world where there was no electricity.  Imagine not being able to take a normal shower or going to get food at the nearest grocery market.  In the book, One Second After, written by William R. Forstchen, a father and his family must learn to adapt and survive after an electromagnetic pulse has disabled all electronics around him.  He has to do things no one in their lifetime should have to do, all for the safety and survival of those he loves.  This riveting book does not hold back as it throws countless obstacles and problems at the main character, John.  If you have ever wondered what the significance of learning the history of our nation or why you had to read Animal Farm in high school, this book can show the value of such information.  Once this book starts, it is a slippery slope down to the end as you read about how morality and civilization can change only one second after an EMP strike.   T. Gunderson

 

Coe Etiquette Book 1941: Invitations

The 1941 etiquette book seems to have advice and guidelines for every situation.  On one hand, I imagine it would have been kind of nice to have these guidelines as a Coe student, especially if encountering these situations for the first time.  On the other, it seems rather daunting a stuffy.

What are your thoughts?  Would you utilize a Coe etiquette book that was published in 2012?  Are there situations where these rules still apply (wedding invitations?, formal white house dinners?)?

~Sara Pitcher, Archives Assistant

Time Lines for Music

A helpful resource for Music History buffs, is the timeline...

here are some website examples....

http://www.jazzinamerica.org/jazzresources/timeline

http://www.d-vista.com/OTHER/Liszttime.html

http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/51727

These are great aids in relating subject matter to what was going on in history at the time.  There are timelines available for all sorts of subjects, I just chose music to blog on today.

You can also find time line posters and charts as well as the online scrollable kind. It is a wonderful way to expand what you know, or find out more about what you want to know. Next time you google add "timeline" to your search.

Rich A.

The Case Against Wikipedia

When students come into the library for sessions on research, invariably we end up discussing Wikipedia for a moment or two.  As librarians and people who regularly work with students, we know it's often a place where students start their research or go for quick answers.  I'm constantly dissuading students as to why Wikipedia is not a desirable place for conducting real research, especially research that will be turned in for a grade, for the obvious reasons of the authority of the author/contributor and the lack of proper citation at times.  Following Hurricane Sandy, an excellent example of the first reason has been chronicled by the mainstream media.



His name is Ken Mampel, and he's currently the primary contributor to the Wikipedia article on Hurricane Sandy.  He is 56 years old, unemployed, and does not believe in climate change; hence the lack of the climate change mention as a possible factor in Hurricane Sandy's devastating impact despite several articles written up in recent days to the contrary.  Popular Science has done an excellent write up that you can take a look at here. This is an excellent example as to why one must always follow-up on one's sources, and why it's important not rely on a sole article/viewpoint when exploring a topic. It also serves a great point of emphasis why Wikipedia, although at times informative and entertaining, is not the most reputable place to turn for information. Coe's library has several different reference resources available online for our students and users, such as Credo Reference and Britannica Online, accessible via the library's website. Consider these resources the next time that you're thinking about clicking on a Wikipedia link.

-Katelyn, Head of Reference

Get out the VOTE with these film titles!

It's one more day until the big election, and the AV Department has got you covered! Come in and check out our display of political titles! (image courtesy of the Oskaloosa Public Library)

--Laura, Head of Audiovisual

Coe Etiquette Book 1941: Travel and Dining Out

A bit of etiquette from a bygone day.  The advice today sounds rather elegant...what do you think?

The travel advice is in reference to travel by train.  I often see alumni complaints and remembrances from the time period telling of dodging the trains in downtown Cedar Rapids on the way to events.

Has anyone traveled by train?  Is any of this advice valid today?

~Sara Pitcher, Archives Assistant