How wonderful if there was an infinite number of new books available to be bought and an infinite amount of money to be spent. But such is not the case. How horrid if second hand books had to be destroyed. How horrid if public libraries could not lend books for fear that copyright might be infringed by a borrower. How sad if teachers (of any kind, anywhere) could not use what information and resources they can find to teach with. How very sad if all this led to the irrevocable loss of information and knowledge.
We have all of us had surrendipitous finds of old magazines, prickings, photos, postcards, books and or lace pieces that have contributed to our knowledge and pleasure as lace makers. All of us have shared our finds, even if only at guild 'show and tells'. That's how traditional knowledge is kept alive. Yes, there are issues of legality and commercial exchange. Yes, we need to acknowledge and respect the work, skill and creativity of those who produce originals, in whatever form or format. We also need to find ways of not impeading the free flow of information and expertise. I teach at university and one of my greatest challenges is to navigate the Canadian copyright laws and to teach my students how to cite their sources explicitely and completely. To be found plagiarizing could cost them the right to even be at university. Certainly, it would cost them any credibility as a researcher. On the other hand, none of us would be allowed to publich research if it was not based on prior work, the better to contextualize the newness of our contribution. Its a narrow bridge over a deep chasm. Honesty and transparency are paramount virtues. So is intellectual curiosity and the willingness to share. I hope we as lacemakers can find a way to both continue the tradition of lacemaking that preceeds us and to build a future store of innovative design and skilled execution for our descendants to admire and emulate. Lucie DuFresne Ottawa Guild of Lacemakers Ottawa Canada > Hello all, > > Selling a book secondhand - the author (lace designer) makes no royalties > from > the book sold secondhand, > so why not discourage the practice and have everyone buy a brand new copy, > thus the designer can make some money! > > That is the only downer from secondhand sales that I can see, and of > course > owner #1 must keep no copies, Xeroxed or otherwise. > > Susie Johnson, > School librarian in my former life. > Morris Illinois > Where I am waiting to hear how my Malamute is doing in Surgery this > morning. > HUGS > [EMAIL PROTECTED] - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
