From the publib listserv… Myles
From: publib-boun...@webjunction.org [mailto:publib-boun...@webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Minobe, Susan Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2010 10:23 AM To: pub...@lists.lis.illinois.edu; pub...@webjunction.org Subject: [Publib] Beware -- free enterprise Selling what’s freely available… “reprinting Wikipedia articles in paperback book form“ The culprits: “Alphascript Publishing, Betascript Publishing, and Fastbook Publishing, apparently all subsidiaries of VDM Publishing House” -Susan L. Minobe- Sent: Tuesday, September 28, 2010 3:54 PM To: wes...@listserv.brown.edu Subject: Fwd: Heads-Up re some new "books" Here's an interesting note from a colleague here at the U of Minnesota Libraries. GA Colleagues, This was a new one for me, so I thought it might be for others on the list. We had a request for a new book on the African-American jazz pianist, Hank Jones, published by Alphascript. But there is no entry for it yet in WorldCat. So I checked Amazon. Turns out that Alphascript Publishing, Betascript Publishing, and Fastbook Publishing, apparently all subsidiaries of VDM Publishing House, are in the business of reprinting Wikipedia articles in paperback book form. The cover images of these books are all similar, with a minimalist design and stock graphic image vaguely related to the subject matter (e.g., the 100-page Hank Jones “book” has a picture of a (white) person's hands playing the piano, while a book on the history of Ghana has two giraffes). These "books" are available on Amazon alongside books that are actually authored, edited, and published by reputable publishing houses. Clicking on the name of one of the “editors” of the Hank Jones books reveals that Frederic P. Miller has "edited" over 65,000 books. He's been a busy guy! We won’t be spending the $45 they are asking for this publication. I thought you might appreciate a heads-up about this. Caveat emptor! - Tim
VIDEOLIB is intended to encourage the broad and lively discussion of issues relating to the selection, evaluation, acquisition,bibliographic control, preservation, and use of current and evolving video formats in libraries and related institutions. It is hoped that the list will serve as an effective working tool for video librarians, as well as a channel of communication between libraries,educational institutions, and video producers and distributors.
