code4lib, day 2 part 3 (afternoon talks) 2006 February 16
After a wonderful lunch that included discussions about Coffee Luwak and the price of goats, Raymond Yee talked about “Teaching the Library and Information Science community how to remix information.” The class he is teaching seems really interesting. I wish I had a class like this when I was going for my Master of Library Service degree. Raymond pointed out some of the challenges with teaching this type of class. Some of these challenges include the challenges of teaching in a wireless classroom with constant connectivity and also the challenge of teaching this type of class to students with a divers technical background.
The second afternoon talk was by Devon Smith. Devon’s talk was titled “Two Paths to Interoperable Metadata.” Devon pointed out a number of issues with using XSLT. Since I have never used XLST, I’m not sure how valid they were, but his arguments seemed to make some sense, but even so I’m sure in many cases XSLT is the right tool for the right job. Devon went on to discuss using Seel instead.
The next session was “The Case for Code4Lib 501(c)3″ by Roy Tennant. Roy really talked about the future of code4lib – not just advocating that it was must be a 501(c)3. The best thing about it for me was that Roy mentioned me more then once 
. Roy brought up that a more formal code4lib organization may bring more libraries into the fray as using some of the software code4libers create, advocate, and support. Somethings code4lib already is include a mailing list, chat room, and conference. But it can be much more if we want it to be. It can be a support organization, and advocacy/lobby group, or anything else.
Some options for the structure include being a 501(c)3, a private corporation, an or just what it is right now (no formal structure). Some key advantages of a 501(c)3 include ability to get grants, personal liability protection, and more. There are also drawbacks such as “enough paperwork to choke a horse.” This work is not just when forming. Roy also talked about the advantages/disadvantages of other options including a private corporation, cooperatives, partnerships, limited liability companies, joining another 501(c)3, or keeping the status quo.
Some of the fundamental questions are what do we want to be, and how do we get there?