In 2012, the British Library changed the way it ran it’s Document Supply operations – “to protect the library from claims of copyright infringement” – dramatically limiting how we ordered hard-to-find materials from them. Previously, the British Library was an incredible resource for otherwise impossible to locate information. Of course, this is a much bigger problem for independent researchers than for those at institutions without resources like MSK Library’s.  In Licensed to Fill?, Teresa Hackett shows the enormous impact of these changes have had on accessibility to information worldwide (including how it grew larger over the years) and argues that international document delivery should be protected by exemptions in copyright law.  The move at the British Library to a publisher licensing model drastically decreased access and prevented vital information from getting to those who need it.  I am glad to see this article and have a better understanding of the larger problem. Hat tip to @ALA_Carrie.

It may seem like a long time ago, but it has only been ten days since NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft provided us with stunning views of Pluto and the internet was suddenly filled with Pluto images and memes.  A few related items; On Wired, a roundup of the Pluto Science from New Horizons, from Space News special coverage of the Pluto Flyby. On the silly side of the coverage, xkcd had Pluto.