The library started out after Tim O'Reilly's visit to the 100th mtg of DCLUG. The (now) librarian awkwardly asked Tim for a set of his books minus the M$ stuff thinking that the collection was much smaller than it is. Historically, 10 years or so ago, ORA had started with the X Windows reference material and has grown significantly into areas outside Unix like Oracle, M$, Mac, etc. With contact in the O'Reilly organization to the ug.oreilly.com user group program more things started happening. Other publishers such as NewRiders, Pearson Tech (Sams), Sybex, Addison Wesley and more were contacted for donations. Contact with publishers has been awkward at first. Not knowing how the symbiotic relatationship between open source authors and publishers (or much else) works. It is the opinion of this writer that while open source software is free to copy, the manuals often required for using the software are not necessarily free ("as in beer"). This may have something to do with the cost of printing and distribution of a physical media, paper... The book lending policy is a work in progress, as lending to a drop in type of group where people show up (maybe) monthly is a challenge. It is hoped that books going out come back and enforcing this policy may include revoking borrowing privleges, dropping a person from the groups' mailing list, or other such librarian nastiness ;-), etc. Polite suggestions are welcome to the DCLUG email list. Identity and Lending IssuesA DCLUG stamp was purchased to "brand" :-) the library books with the group's name on the sides of the books. Many early books are out that have not yet been stamped. One idea was to create a LUG photo membership card. This might be useful for arranging buying discounts like other groups have at vendors and identity issues, but privacy issues of what books people check out have arisen... Donations and PublishersSoliciting donations has been interesting. Most donations have the implied or explicit obligation of writing a book review. One consideration was creating a policy of a review as a late fee.. . If a book is out long enough and being used, maybe writing it up would be appropriate? A significant number of books were obtained from the ThinkGeek thru NOVALUG.tux.org August 2003 Meeting
Some of our publishers include:
As with many industries, publishing companies change markets, and reorganize so some links will change over time, especially with donations of used books... Authors SpeakingDCLUG has had several authors speak on book tours and other engagements. For example, in October 2003 we had Jon "maddog" Hall present to the meeting.
He is the author of a book already in our collection: If you are interested in speaking to the group or donating materials to the library, please see the contacts page Disclaimer:NOTE: Listing library books or publishers names (or anything really) here on the website does not mean endorsement by DCLUG. It only means that the librarian has received the book and is lending out to members for use and *possible* review. It is the hope of the librarian to further the Linux cause by building a library for members to sample books between meetings and help members become more knowledgable about Linux through reading generally available literature. Local BookstoresThe following places are in the Washington DC metro area with low cost or new books: http://microcenter.com with bargain books section of previous editions at signifcant discounts. http://reiters.com with one of the local high tech collections especially for that new book and it's downtown. http://readmedoc.com with discount books including the O'Reilly Associates publishers. Brick and mortar store in Vienna closed, now online / mail order... Also, see the publishers, online, public library booksales and other local booksellers. |