Busca Blog

BUSCA Had a Great Time in Dallas for Midwinter ALA

2012-01-30T15:10:00.003-05:00

Busca enjoyed visiting with many of our current customers and meeting many new ones from all over the country. Even though attendance was down it was good to meet with librarians from the Southwest who found it easier to travel to Dallas. We spent a lot of time in ALCTS meetings as well as on the exhibit floor and we brought back many new ideas to incorporate into our service. Here are a few reports from the Convention.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/book-news/libraries/article/50411-at-ala-midwinter-librarians-show-some-fight.html

http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/hall-erickson/alacognotes_dallas_highlights201201/index.php?device=accessible

BUSCA on the road in the New Year!

2012-01-04T14:11:00.003-05:00

BUSCA is hitting the road this New Year 2012 the Chinese Year of the Dragon and the quadrennial Leap Year. Look for us at the upcoming HELIN Consortium Conference on January 11 at Bryant University and soon after at ALA Midwinter in Dallas where we can be found lending a hand to Basch Subscriptions in Booth #736. With all of this mild weather expect to see us soon at your library too. Happy New Year!

Check Out Busca's New Look!

2011-12-19T18:13:00.001-05:00

Highpoints at the 2011 Charleston Acquisitions Conference

2011-11-16T10:50:00.005-05:00

Busca was well represented at this year's Conference and was especially pleased to participate in Julie Kliever's "Lively Lunch" presentation regarding her use of Busca in tandem with SkyRiver to set up automated delivery of bibliographic records and invoicing directly to her library's III ILS. Her presentation was entitled "Saving Time, Energy, Keystrokes and Sanity." Julie is the Collections Services Librarian at Providence College in Providence, RI. Also participating in the presentation by means of a Skype telephone connection was Busca's own Tech Team Leader Ken "Charlie" Hendges and SkyRiver's Lynne Branch Browne. We will be posting some of the Power Point slides from the Conference soon. If you are interested in exploring this free service from Busca please contact us at info@busca.com

Other high points were Michael Keller's keynote presentation regarding the Semantic Web:

http://www.theconferencecircuit.com/2011/11/03/keynote-address-semantic-web-for-libraries-and-publishers/

and Robert Darnton's presentation on the Digital Public Library of America:

http://www.theconferencecircuit.com/2011/11/04/the-digital-public-library-of-america-dlpa/

All of the plenary sessions are being posted on the Conference website:

http://www.katina.info/conference/

Skit from the Charleston Acquisitions Conference 2011

2011-11-10T15:09:00.004-05:00

Patron Driven Acquisitions Librarians Now Employed as Amish Server Farmers in the Cloud

Script by John Riley with Eleanor Cook and Susan Zappen

Characters:
PPT Moderator: Corrie Marsh
2 Angels/Librarians:
Angel/Lib #1: Eleanor Cook
Angel/Lib #2: Susan Zappen
1 Sales person: John Riley
1 Amish Farmer: Stephen Clark
3 Patrons:
Patron #1: Athena Michael
Patron #2: Ginny Boyer
Patron #3: Lisa Spagnolo
1 Cop: Jennifer Clarke
Scene 1 (In the cloud…fog
machine generated) 3 Angels/Librarians (dressed in white sheets, halos, and
wings), a sales person (suit and briefcase), and one Amish farmer (hat and
beard) --hoeing and digging)
…………………………………………………………………………………
ECook Angel 1: Wow! How did we get here? I was just
getting ready to shelve some books and bang! Now I’m standing here in this
cloud with a shovel in my hands, mining data ... [holding plastic toy shovel and pail]

SZappen Angel 2: I was in the middle of a meeting. We were discussing whether to buy the new $100,000 upgrade to our 2 year old ILS. I wasjust about to suggest going back to card catalogs when I was ejected out of my seat and landed here.

JRiley Sales Person: I was getting ready to make another pitch to one more committee when I was vaporized into my iPad and ended up here in the Cloud. I guess I’ll just be an app on a screen from now on. [show emoticon on screen]

SClark Amish Farmer: Maybe it was the Rapture... It was supposed
to be next week -- Tuesday at 3:17pm, to be exact…maybe it came early.

JRiley Sales Person: No way! It couldn’t be the Rapture…I’m in
sales!

SClark Amish Farmer: Maybe we’ve gone to a … Better World.

ECook Angel 1: Yeah, we’re just discards and now we’re gonna get recycled for a dollar.

SZappenAngel 2: Maybe IT implemented that Cloud migration they’ve been talking about without telling us. That would be just like them.

ECook Angel 1: You’re right. We’re obviously in the cloud. [scoops up fog] Look! -- there goes that book I was going to shelve. [chases after invisible book]

SClark Amish Farmer: But you know, this cloud is kind of dirty…more like a pollution cloud. I thought clouds were all bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air, and feather canyons everywhere.

JRiley Sales Person: Sorry -- Now clouds block the sun, they rain and snow on everyone. You know the cloud is generated by coal plants powered by missing mountain tops in West Virginia. That’s where the cheap electricity comes from. That’s how we ended up on this server farm.

SZappenAngel 2: At least there won’t be any more meetings. We can all just mind meld in the Cloud. PDA can do everything from now on. [Angels act out mind melding]

SClark Amish Farmer: PDA? What’s that? And what’s it got to do with my server farm?

SZappen Angel 2: PDA…You mean Public Display of Affection?[
cozy up to farmer, farmer shocked, abruptly
moves to another part of the cloud to hoe and exits stage ]

ECook Angel 1: No, you silly thing!…Publisher Driven Acquisitions.

SZappen Angel 2: Publisher Driven Acquisitions? You know, that actually makes sense. I’d heard it called PATRON driven, and DEMAND driven, but this is way more realistic! We pay 3 times as much for an older edition of a book that we can’t loan out or copy or print, that we can’t return for any reason, and then the vendor controls the usage data. What’s not to love?

SClark Amish Farmer: Yeah, and how about that missing metadata? You can’t find anything anymore.

JRiley Sales Person: Ah, the revenge of the catalogers who were all let go. Remember when everyone said MARC was dead? MARC got pissed off… I’ll bet he and Dewey and LC are all having a good laugh.

SZappen Angel 2: Sometimes people say stupid things for so long that everyone
else goes along with it just to get them to shut up.

ECookAngel 1: Sounds like the Lemming effect.

SZappenAngel 2: What’s the Lemming effect?

ECookAngel 1: It’s like the Butterfly effect…but with rodents.

SZappen Angel 2: Yeah…I think we just let the administration drive the bus off a cliff! Now what are we supposed to do for work?

JRiley Sales Person: How about Espresso Book Machine repairman? Lots of work there.

SZappen Angel 2: Maybe iPad screen cleaner. Those things get pretty nasty
with finger prints and who knows what else.

ECook Angel 1: We could always sit around and repair broken URL’s. We’re
doing plenty of that already!

JRiley Sales Person: Maybe I can get a job as a spam filter. After all, 60% of all internet traffic is spam. [excitedly exits into cloud seeking new job]

ECook Angel 1: Sounds a little fattening…all that spam, I mean.

SZappen Angel 2: We could just change our titles to match this new Cloud
thing. How about information shepherds? We’re herding clouds of information
around now. [makes herding gesture in the fog]

ECook Angel 1: Or we could be “embedded information drones.” We bring the
information right to the patron. [ throws folded paper airplane into fog]

SZappen Angel 2: How about “information triage surgeons.” You gotta know
what to cut. [karate chop, chop gesture]And -- I’ve got the white outfit already!

ECook Angel 1: We could call ourselves “de-acquisitions” librarians, or “collection un-development librarians.” You know, we actually need a dis-approval plan!

SZappen Angel 2: Well, we did let the patrons start driving the bus….wait…I
think I hear something. It’s the patrons…they’re coming…in a bus!

[3 Patrons enter, with head wreaths, pointing at angels ]

ALL PATRONS: [in unison] Toga!
Toga! Toga!

ECook Angel 1: These are NOT togas, you little hellions!

ECook & SZappen Both Angels: [in unison] Oh my God…they’re
taking over!

[Patrons dance around the angels]

ECook Angel 1: They’re headed for the OPAC -- Hey! Don’t touch that!

A Micheals Patron 1: Why not?

SZappen Angel 2: If you touch it -- you buy it.

GBoyer Patron 2: My professor told me to come over and access his publications a lot. I don’t have to read them. He said he’ll give me an A in business ethics.

LSpagnolo Patron 3: I got a part time job with a publisher. They pay me to check-out their books. Easy money, ladies!

AMichaels Patron 1: Hey, my parents turned their house into an ATM so I could attend college. I should get stuff for free.

ECook Angel 1: So THESE are the patrons that drive the bus now?

CORRIE PPT Moderator: All Aboard!! [Show picture of Ken Kesey’s bus]

[Angels and Patrons line up in chairs as if on a bus. One patron is in the front as if driving]

ECook Angel 1: [Turning toward other angel]We had better get on the bus before they throw us under it. [Turning to Driver]Where are we headed, anyway?

AMichaels Patron 1(Driver): North. You’re supposed to always head
North.

SZappen Angel 2: But what if we want to go South?

AMichaels Patron 1(Driver): If you always go North you’ll eventually go South…right?

ECook Angel 1: Kind of, sort of. Do you need any help from us….like directions maybe? How about a road map? GPS perhaps?

AMichaels Patron 1(Driver): Naw, that’s ok. It doesn’t really matter where we’re going as long we keep moving and spending money.

SZappen Angel 2: How about we follow an itinerary?

LSpagnolo Patron 3: That’s SO last millennium!

GBoyer Patron 2: Hey, look over there [points] -- there are some graphic novels.
How about pulling over? [leans over and motions to the driver patron]

[Cop enters, blue light flashing: waves bus over] –

JClarkeCop: [to the driver] Do you have a license to drive this bus?

AMichaels Patron 1(Driver): Er, no but they do [pointing towards the Angels/librarians, seated behind her.]

JClarke Cop: [To the Angel/Librarians] : Does anyone here have a license for this…..thing?

ECook Angel 1: Of course! That’s ALL we’ve got left... a license! [waves a sheaf of papers]

JClarke Cop: Well it appears that you don’t have the slightest idea where you’re headed.
\
GBoyerPatron 2: That’s the point. We don’t know, so we just plow ahead and hope to end up somewhere, anywhere.

AMichaels Patron1 (driver): I don’t even know what I need, but I’ll choose from this menu of stuff and see if I can use it.

ECook Angel 1: Before we go any further on this journey, how about we
stop here and figure out something better?

JClarke Cop: Yeah folks, otherwise I might have to take you all in for reckless driving or something!

AMichaels Patron 1 (driver): You mean you librarians can help me find what I need? Now that’s different! Sure, why not? I’m parking right now! [Cop nods approvingly]

SZappen Angel 2: Well, actually it’s an old concept. I think we all need to
work together to move forward. Why don’t we even take turns driving? We
wouldn’t want you to fall asleep at the wheel or anything.

LSpagnolo Patron 3: Wow, Collaboration, what a concept!

[Salesman and Amish Farmer return to stage to join in on the song: ]

(Beach Boys sing 1st verse)
“Fun Fun, Fun [Players groove to the music]
Well she got her daddy's car
And she cruised through the hamburger stand now
Seems she forgot all about the library
Like she told her old man now
And with the radio blasting
Goes cruising just as fast as she can now
[Players join in on the chorus]
*And she'll have fun, fun, fun
'Til her daddy takes the PDA away
(Fun, fun, fun 'til her daddy takes the PDA away) [end here]

BUSCA on the Road in October and November

2011-09-30T12:50:00.002-04:00

BUSCA will be at the upcoming New England Library Association Conference in Burlington, VT October 1-3. Enjoy your drive up to Burlington at prime foliage season and then stop by the Basch Subscriptions Booth where you will find us.

November 3-5 we will be at the annual Charleston Acquisitions Conference. Stop by and catch up on all our news, such our new partnership with SkyRiver.

BUSCA, Inc. attended the IDS/GIST Conference in Albany

2011-08-22T11:32:00.003-04:00

BUSCA attended the the IDS/GIST Conference on August 2 & 3 this summer and we are happy to report that we are now in the vendor queue of the GIST System! Check out the following web sites to learn more about the GIST Community of libraries.

http://idsproject.org/tools/gist.aspx

http://eres.geneseo.edu:8080/ocs/index.php/idsprojectconference2011/home

Busca Report from ALA in New Orleans

2011-07-07T10:59:00.004-04:00

ALA 2011 New Orleans Personal impressions from the floor of the convention by John Riley, Eastern Regional Sales Manager, BUSCA, Inc. and editor The Library Marketplace in “Against the Grain”

It was heartening to return to The Big Easy and see all of the progress the city has made in its recovery from Hurricane Katrina. In his address to the Convention Mayor Mitch Landrieu attributed a large part of the city’s success at bringing life back to the city to the rebuilding of neighborhood libraries. Still, over half of the public schools remain closed.

New Orleans has lost nearly half its population and its neighbor Baton Rouge has grown by 150,000 people since Katrina. 15 billion dollars have been spent to completely rebuild the city’s system of levees, but it still could not survive a direct hit from a category 5 hurricane. The city is still awaiting billions more in funds that are being held up in bureaucratic limbo. Disputes on how to spend the money have delayed projects such as the reconstruction of the completely destroyed Lower 9th Ward.

Attendance figures for ALA in New Orleans totaled 20,186. Advance registration totaled 11,273 and on-site came to 3,696. Exhibit personnel totaled 5,217.

Last year’s conference in D.C. totaled 26,201, while Chicago attracted 28,941 in 2009.

The next two ALA conventions in Dallas for mid-winter and Anaheim for annual have been greeted with lukewarm responses so far.

Temperatures in New Orleans hovered in the mid 90’s all week, but the rain held off and we only had to deal with 90% humidity. Inside Morial Convention Center sweaters and coats were at a premium as the air conditioning was cranked up to the freezing point. Many of us got lots of exercise walking in the extremely long and narrow Convention Center that snakes along the Mississippi River. Buzzy Basch, who wears a pedometer, logged over 6 miles in one day just walking inside the Convention Center! Walking was probably a good idea after all of the great meals in the booming restaurants such as Mulate’s, NOLA and Cochon where librarians were happy to indulge in the local cuisine. The hot spot for jazz was Irwin Mayfield’s Playhouse in the Royal Sonesta on Bourbon Street. It hosts a very lively local music scene and by local I mean the top musicians in New Orleans. The other hot spot is a group of clubs that includes Snug Harbor (where the Marsalis family holds court) on Frenchmen Street just East of the French Quarter. Some, mainly younger, librarians were heard to be groaning at their 8 a.m. meetings after helping close down clubs that morning at 4 a.m.

Some of the hot topics at ALA reminded me of Book Expo America, the publishing and bookstore convention held in New York in May. There was renewed buzz on the floor about books, especially because of ebooks. Books are in the news all the time now and publishers are excited about their prospects with ebook readers taking off and the promise of more international sales. Many librarians, as well as booksellers at BEA, were looking to find their bearings in the digital revolution that is sweeping across publishing and libraries alike. Both contingents are trying to find a way to stay relevant in a world of electronic delivery of books and information.

Librarians seem to be headed for more of a teaching model and curriculum support role. They have always filled this link in the education system, but it is even more imperative now to maintaining the place of the library on campuses. Demand for public libraries is off the charts, but they have to learn how to do more with less. Independent bookstores are looking more for local support and many are even converting to co-op models. The local community is key to maintaining both libraries and bookstores.

There was quite a bit of talk about libraries taking on the role of publishers. One interesting model was the one at Purdue University where they have integrated the library, university press, and copyright clearance office. They also publish online journals with the sponsorship of several corporations. One such journal on the “Human- Animal Bond” has received over a million dollars in grant funding from sources such as Petco and Purina.

http://www.thepress.purdue.edu/series/new-directions-human-animal-bond
Cornell has partnered with Duke University to distribute their online journals and their open access books are published on Kindle and Google Books. Some public libraries are starting to publish patrons’ books on Kindle. The process is actually quite simple and can be accomplished within 24 hours using only a “Word” file that gets uploaded to Kindle for free. It creates great goodwill amongst the patrons.

“Sustainability” is a huge issue with online publishing and Institutional Repositories.

Hathi Trust (Hathi is the Hindi word for elephant, famed for its memory) is taking sustainability to be its major goal in storing and transmitting our cultural heritage. Their statistics are amazing and they are growing their collection by millions of titles a year.
8,881,920 total volumes
4,840,751 book titles
217,186 serial titles
3,108,672,000 pages
398 terabytes
105 miles
7,217 tons
2,416,262 volumes (~27% of total)
in the public domain

Currently 60 institutions plus Google are sharing their digitized information with Hathi Trust. There is a 38% overlap with ARL collections at this point and they anticipate reaching 50% by 2012.

There was also a lot of discussion about POD or print on demand. Librarians are wondering if it is just a way station until ebook readers gain full acceptance and functionality. In the meantime POD is spreading rapidly and is growing into the major form of print publishing for smaller print run books. Publishers are slowly moving to a simultaneous print and ebook version of their books. Could this be similar to the simultaneous publication of hardcover and paperbacks that only comparatively recently came about? Hewlett Packard has come out with a rival to the Espresso Book Machine that they call Raptor. It is much faster than EBM and also prints in color. What sets it apart is that it prints double sided off of rolls of paper just like the largest POD machines, while EBM prints on single sheets. With such large companies as Xerox backing the EBM and HP now producing the Raptor new distribution models for publishing can’t be far behind.

There was still a lot of talk about Patron Driven Acquisitions, but some were raising the possibility that it might be the next trend to fade much as “cooperative collection development” seems to have done.

When all was said and done there was definitely lots of buzz at ALA and librarians were excited to be at the center of the new “Information Revolution.” My impression was that librarians are getting in the driver’s seat now and not just watching as change approaches.

Gregory Urwin reviews "The Guide to the American Revolutionary War in New York"

2011-06-23T10:48:00.006-04:00

In 2009, Norman Desmarais, a librarian at Providence College and editor of the Brigade Dispatch, launched an ambitious effort to identify every spot of ground on which hostile shots were exchanged during the American War of Independence. After reading Desmarais’ first volume, The Guide to the American Revolutionary War in Canada and New England, this reviewer hailed the project as “what promises to be the closest thing we will ever see to a comprehensive catalog of the sites touched by the War of Independence.” In this second installment of the series, The Guide to the American Revolutionary War in New York, Desmarais lives up to those high expectations.

Desmarais describes this book as part of a “multi-volume geographic history of the American War for Independence.” Desmarais has done much more than merely compile a catalog of the locations and summaries of battles and skirmishes. He breaks new ground by revealing that the Revolutionary War was a much broader and sustained struggle than even accomplished scholars of that period realize. Howard Henry Peckham’s standard reference, The Toll of Independence: Engagements and Battle Casualties of the American Revolution (1974), numbers the conflict’s land engagements at 1,330 and those at sea at 220. Before Desmarais finishes with this series, he expects to more than double Peckham’s figures.

As can be seen in The Guide to the American Revolutionary War in New York many of those clashes occurred within the borders of what later became known as the Empire State. The war did not begin in New York, but several key factors turned it into a magnet for the opposing forces. This large state linked New England with the Middle Colonies. It shared a long border with Canada, which made it a threat to British holdings to the north and also a vulnerable target. Finally, New York possessed a major Atlantic port that offered the British strategic advantages if they could seize and hold it.

Desmarais adopts a regional approach to reconstructing the war that raged in New York between1775 and 1783. Separate chapters treat Upstate New York, Downstate New York and the Hudson River Valley, Eastern Long Island, Western Long Island, and finally Manhattan and Staten Island. The book amply covers General William Howe’s New York Campaign of 1776, Lieutenant General John Burgoyne’s Saratoga Campaign of 1777, Major General John Sullivan’s punitive expedition against the Iroquois in 1779, and the sharp actions that occurred at Forts Montgomery and Clinton, Stony Point, and other places. Desmarais devotes even more pages to the incessant raiding and skirmishing that filled and often ended the opposing soldiers’ lives between the bigger battles.

Twenty-first-century Americans who read Desmarais’ work cannot help but be struck by the insurgent nature of their ancestors’ struggle for independence. Both Continentals and militiamen often operated in small bodies, pecking away at their British, German, and Loyalist enemies. The fury that the King’s troops demonstrated in combat must have stemmed in large part from the fact that they could never feel completely safe in most parts of North America. The Crown’s forces also engaged in considerable raiding – along coastal waters and rivers, and perhaps even more terrifyingly, on the frontier, where they made free use of their Indian allies and vengeful Loyalists. It is clear that many supporters of the Patriot cause – civilians included – faced their share of perils before independence could be won.

In addition to regaling the reader with familiar and forgotten history, Desmarais also provides a useful travel guide, profiling the forts, museums, and other sites related to the Revolution in New York. The book provides the web sites to these establishments, which will allow interested readers to check on their hours of operation and other information.
The Guide to the American Revolutionary War in New York stands as a worthy companion to the first volume in Desmarais’ monumental series. It also demonstrates that the high quality that marked the launch of this series has not slackened. The Guide to the American Revolutionary War in New York is an important reference work. A copy of it should sit in every academic and public library in the Empire State, as well as the collection of any individual with a serious interest in the American War of Independence.

Gregory J. W. Urwin
Colonel’s Company
Royal Welch Fusiliers in America

~~~~~~
GREGORY J. W. URWIN (Ph.D.)

http://astro.temple.edu/~gurwin/

Professor of History, Temple University

Vice President-Elect, Society for Military History

General Editor, Campaigns and Commanders, University of Oklahoma Press

2011 Earhart Foundation Fellow on American History, William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan

2011 Tyree Lamb Fellow, Society of the Cincinnati

Academic Fellow, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies

Fellow, Company of Military Historians

Review: Geography, biography and history

2011-06-13T15:16:00.006-04:00

Randy L. Abbott, Head Reference Librarian, University of Evansville Libraries, reviews Norman Desmarais's "The Guide to the American Revolutionary War in New York: Battles, Raids and Skirmishes" published by Busca, Inc.

"Norman Desmarais, a librarian at Providence College in Rhode Island, and an active American War of Independence re-enactor, has written a highly detailed guide to the American Revolutionary War in New York State. This title is the second in a projected series that aims to identify and describe all the battles, raids and skirmishes from each state during the eight-year conflict. The first volume, published in 2005 and co-authored with June Fritchman, was titled Battlegrounds of Freedom: A Historical Guide to the Battlefields of the War of American Independence, and it served as an introduction by outlining the most significant battles of the war.

This New York state guide is arranged by geographic location and includes maps and illustrations. Desmarais has written his guide in five parts: Upstate New York, Downstate/Hudson Valley, East Long Island, West Long Island and Manhattan/Staten Island. Presented chronologically within each geographic section, the places, towns and cities are accompanied by notes explaining their location in relation to other landmarks, places, towns or cities mentioned in the guide. The volume includes an extensive section of notes, a glossary of terms and an index.

For every place name that saw a battle, raid or skirmish, there is a complete listing of dates. Separate paragraphs denoted by stars distinguish the individual occurrences at that particular location. One feature Desmarais has excelled at is in providing birth and death dates for all named persons, and this is done the first time the person is mentioned in a paragraph detailing a battle, raid or skirmish. It will not be long before the reader has memorized the birth and death years for General George Washington, General William Howe, Major General Benedict Arnold and others of the most-often mentioned war leaders. However, the reader must remember that this is a guide, not an historical narrative. As such, it is an impressive volume due to its level of specificity and depth of description, often including the number of dead on each side of a conflict, the type and number of livestock stolen, the number of acres of grain destroyed, the type and severity of wounds suffered in battle, and often a discussion of the strategic importance of a place that made it worthy of attention.

The author brings the horror of war home to the reader, and the generations of soldiers removed from the American Revolutionary War might suffer wounds inflicted on the modern battlefield caused by explosive devices or grenade launchers, but the severity of the injuries, both mortal and non-life-threatening, remain the same. Descriptions of scalping, beheadings, and other mutilation brought about by crude weapons such as tomahawks and musket balls remind us of the eternal brutality of war.

The importance of New York State in the strategic defence plans of General George Washington during the American War of Independence was paramount. Washington's greatest concern was that Britain and its loyalist allies would drive a wedge through the colonies by way of the Hudson River, cutting off New England, dividing his forces into two or three distinct isolated factions. New York City was the headquarters of the British-led forces, and Washington spent much of his time during the war years within the state's boundaries. When Washington became president, he took the first presidential oath of office in New York City. Beyond its mere strategic importance, the state of New York was heavily populated by opposing loyalists. Opposing combat forces included the British, Hessian mercenaries, and Native Americans of the Six Nations (especially Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondoga and Seneca) fighting the Continental Army, state militia, and Native Americans of the Six Nations (especially Oneida and Tuscarora).

The vast fields of grain and abundant livestock in the New York countryside were vital in feeding the armies of all combatants. An army marches on its stomach, and farmers in upstate New York were desperate to hide their grains and livestock from marauders on both sides. What crops and livestock the armies could not eat or steal, they burned or slaughtered to prevent their enemies from doing the same.

New York State was the site of major battles, including the battle of Saratoga, one of the most important victories of the conflict and an early success for the colonists. In addition, New York was also the site of the battle for Fort Ticonderoga, the site of Nathan Hale's execution, the site of Benedict Arnold's treachery at West Point, the site of British major John Andre's execution, and the first instance of a submarine used in war (The Turtle).

From 1775-1783, the War for American Independence raged, and was finally halted by the signing of the Treaty of Paris. During these eight years, Desmarais notes, 21,417 men of the state of New York served in the war, including nearly 18,000 in the Continental Army. In addition, tens of thousands of New Yorkers, loyal to the British throne, either fought against the American forces or fled to Canada."

Randy L. Abbott
Head Reference Librarian, University of Evansville Libraries
Evansville, Indiana, USA

*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Reviewed in:

Emerald Journal: Reference Reviews

RR 2011/144

Review Subject: Geography, biography and history : The Guide to the American Revolutionary War in New York: Battles, Raids and Skirmishes
Review DOI 10.1108/09504121111119130
vol.25, no.3,pp.52-53,2011
Copyright: © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
ISSN: 0950-4125

The book:

The Guide to the American Revolutionary War in New York: Battles, Raids and Skirmishes
Publisher: Busca, Inc.
Place of Publication: Ithaca, NY
Publication Year: 2010
ISBN: 978 1 954934 02 9
Price: $22.95
Article type: Review
Pages: 285 pp.

Keywords: Eighteenth century, Guides and handbooks, United States of America, War

Book Arts at ACRL New England Annual Conference

2011-05-16T15:02:00.006-04:00

Busca was in attendance at this year's ACRL New England Annual Conference at The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. We really enjoyed a presentation by Katherine M. Ruffin, Book Arts Program Director, Wellesley College. Katherine related how Amanda Nelsen, a book artist and now Director of the Rare Book School at the University of Virginia, along with a great support team of students and volunteers highlighted some very important sustainability issues concerning paper usage by creating a work of art from discarded copier paper. Read and be amazed by their creativity and commitment.

http://www.wellesleynewsonline.com/arts/community-art-to-promote-campus-sustainability-1.1371713?pagereq=2

http://www.rarebookschool.org/news/

http://www.wellesleynewsonline.com/arts/amanda-nelsen-s-paperworks-comes-to-completion-1.1490969

http://www.booklyn.org/index.php

Thanks to All of the Visitors to Busca at ACRL in Philadelphia

2011-04-05T19:17:00.005-04:00

What a great turnout for ACRL this year. We enjoyed seeing all of our current customers and many new ones too on the floor of the exhibits in Philadelphia. Please check out the following site for the papers that were presented at ACRL. The first one under "A" about the Library at Alexandria is especially interesting. http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/events/national/2011/papers/index.cfm

Busca is Coming to ACRL in Philadelphia March 30-April 1, 2011

2011-03-18T14:59:00.002-04:00

Look for Busca in Booth T-160 where we will be sharing space with Basch Subscriptions. Feel free to stop by and discuss your current needs for scholarly publications, multimedia, and foreign publishers. Find out about some of Busca's new initiatives with ebooks, EDI ordering options, and batch loading with all integrated library systems. Hope to see you there!

Who says kids don't like reading anymore?

2011-03-04T12:42:00.001-05:00

You'll be singing along....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6D9jiEYxzs

First Night Floor is Deck

2011-01-31T11:34:00.004-05:00

“First Night Floor is Deck”, a poem from Victor W. Pearn's Devil Dogs and Jarheads is slated to be aired by Garrison Keillor, host of A Prairie Home Companion and of The Writer's Almanac on February 5, 2011

News and Views from ALA 2011 Midwinter in San Diego

2011-01-21T11:48:00.002-05:00

San Diego is the 7th largest city in the US and the second largest in California.
This year's preregistration figure the day before the January 7 show opening was 5,180 (not including exhibitors), 14 percent lower than last year's Boston preregistration of 6,043; Denver drew 6,903 pre-registrants only a year earlier (L J)
The final numbers from the ALA office were.

7,549 Attendees
2,561 Exhibitors

The consensus was that the conference attendance was especially low because it was too close to the holidays, too far away from the rest of the US, and that travel budgets were too tight. However the ALA Executive Board White Paper on ALA Midwinter supports continuing it in the future.

http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/governance/officers/eb_documents/2010_2011ebdocuments/ebd12_17_%20mw_future.pdf

There were approximately 1000 meetings at this year’s midwinter convention. Some of the hot topics were patron driven acquisitions, collaborative collection development, connecting with patrons through mobile devices, job inventories, discovery services, and the looming budget crises of 2012. The purchase of Ebrary by ProQuest was breaking news as the conference opened.

Patron driven acquisitions is still a hot topic, but opportunities to continue exercising selection expertise are still important. Bibliographic and collection development skills are still needed to vet PDA lists. PDA has been useful for departments that don’t spend all of their allocation. With more adjunct faculty there is less input from professors. Only 37% of faculty is tenured now.

There are problems with ILL and PDA in a networked catalogue environment. One solution is to mark PDA acquisitions as non-circulating and update their status later. UCLA has instituted a paper only PDA model by loading book records in their catalogue.

Selection skills are necessary to winnow PDA offerings. Duke cut Ebrary down to 23,000 books that they offered up for patron acquisition. Foreign publications and rare books still need selection skills. The library’s local depository is also an area for selection expertise. And in a reversal of roles selection is very important when it comes to de-selection, as many libraries are doing.

Libraries are comparing their holdings to Hathi Trust to see if there are archival copies in order to winnow their own collections.

The recent launch of Google ebooks has been deemed a flop. The 3 million titles are either in the public domain already or are older titles that have no demand. Sales are very low. I feel that this is a preview to problems that Google will have if they ever launch their larger Google Books Project. On top of these problems many prominent authors have withdrawn from the settlement. What remains unique in the database are orphan books which probably have little demand. Figures from the legal case have hinted at a $55,00.00 cost for initial hookup to the Google books database if it ever becomes available.

There was a good amount of talk about the Espresso Book Machine, but sales for this device have not even reached 100 worldwide. Opinions about the machine tend to focus on its high cost and operating expense compared to simply using a well equipped print shop. With Xerox taking over the machine’s distribution there may be some improvement in the functioning of the machine and fewer breakdowns.

There was buzz about sharing collection development staff across institutions such as Cornell and Columbia are doing.

Lots of talk about single article purchase for journals. Opinion was that libraries would like to keep access to the articles they purchase rather than pursue a “one sip” model.

Word that many faculty are being required to teach at least one online class.
Swank, Corp. clears copyright for libraries about $100.00 per video title per semester.

Libraries are embedding access into Blackboard to try to be more pro-active. Also feeding current titles to students based on their majors.

Doing more with less: job inventories and re-allocation of responsibilities.
Amazon is republishing titles based on used book sales ranks.

Staying in touch with students through mobile devices was a popular subject. Librarians that offer this service say that students search databases and email articles to themselves for later reading. Sales of mobile devices will surpass pc’s by 2012. JSTOR, EBSCO, IEEE, ArtStor, Cambridge Journals and Pub Med are among databases offering mobile access.

The Harvard Law Library has developed a novel way to view books in their repository. They have created a virtual book shelf based on their catalogue and the books are color coded based on their circulation numbers so users can easily see the most popular books.

Busca at ALA Midwinter 2011

2011-01-04T15:00:00.003-05:00

Three members of the BUSCA Team plan to be at the American Library Association's MidWinter Conference this week in San Diego, California. Some of us will be on the exhibit hall show floor, working at THE REFERENCE SHELF booth. Please look for John D. Riley, Loren P. Hirsch, and Michael D. Cooper. We will also be attending several meetings.

Charleston Skit Script 2010

2010-11-23T11:16:00.003-05:00

Busca is proud to share the Charleston 2010 skit script written by John Riley and Eleanor I. Cook, the Assistant Director for Collections & Technical Services, Joyner Library, East Carolina University. Keep an eye out for the video of this skit on the Charleston Conference website.

Charleston Skit Script 2010

SCENE ONE
INTRODUCTION /History By Narrator (Corrie)

Narrator: Corrie Marsh
Katina: Athena Michaels
Bill Gates: Todd Hallerman
Al Gore: Stephen Clark

In honor of this Conference’s 30th anniversary, the Charleston Players are pleased to present yet another skit, we fondly entitle “Doin’ That Charleston Rag.”

It was 30 years ago that Katina Strauch held the very first acquisitions conference here in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina. We’ve seen it all over the years, and we never know what to expect! Sometimes we experience 4 different seasons in 4 days. You should always be sure to pack both Bermuda shorts AND an overcoat! Sometimes we’ll even get a Hurricane, but Hugo couldn’t stop the conference from forging ahead back in 1989. Since that first conference in 1980 we’ve experienced the complete renovation of the Francis Marion Hotel, the demise of the the Lightsey Conference Center, The opening of a beautiful new Library building at the College of Charleston, businesses turning over constantly on Upper King Street and elsewhere, and the opening of the great new Cooper River Bridge to Mt. Pleasant. (Some of us miss the old roller coaster of a bridge - some of us DON’T!) Charleston as a destination definitely has added to the attraction of this event, especially for those travelling from colder climes. Could you imagine if this conference had been conceived in Bayonne, New Jersey? (Perhaps Jersey Shore Acquisitions Librarians?)

So, in celebration of 30 incredible years of dancing at the Jukebox, dining at fabulous restaurants and the conference’s own Oyster Roast, beach combing, sun bathing, golfing at the Dunes, ghost hunting at night, Highjinks and pratfalls during the skits, shopping for Sweet Grass baskets in the Market, lounging under the palm trees, oh…. But don’t let us forget ... Beastly Breakfasts, Lively Lunches, Intense Debates, Stunning Pronouncements, Dire Predictions, Sleep Inducing Power Points, Lyman’s infallible memory, Matthew J. Bruccoli’s Jeremiads, Buzzy Basch’s rainbow of neckties, Networking together in the Halls of the old Lightsey Conference Center that seemed like High School between classes, Katina and friends Ringing the Bell to start each new session...[distant sound of ringing the bell, coming closer with the entrance of players]. Let us take you back in time….back, back, over 50 years ago to the genesis of the Charleston Conference…We take you to a playground where 8 year old Katina is hanging out with her playmates, Al Gore and Bill Gates:

[Players enter]:
Katina [ringing a bell and licking an enormous lollipop], Bill Gates [wearing extra large glasses] and Al Gore [playing with a yo-yo]

Al: When I grow up I’m going to invent the internet.

Katina and Bill [in unison]: What’s the internet?

Al: It’s an interconnected web of computers creating instantaneous access to information all over the world.

Bill: Sounds stupid. Who needs that? When I grow up I am going to have a monopoly on personal computer operating systems. That’s much more profitable.

Al: The internet will make that obsolete.

Bill: Hold your horses. I haven’t even stolen Windows from Steve Jobs yet. How can it be obsolete?

Katina: When I grow up I’m going to start an acquisitions conference where librarians, vendors, and publishers can come together and meet and discuss mutually interesting topics.

Bill: That will never work! That’s like saying someday cats and dogs will live together. It might get violent.

Katina: And I will let whoever wants to come and I won’t limit who gets to attend. We’ll have speakers from England and Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Africa, and and…You know…I just can’t say no to nobody, y’all.

Al and Bill: “librarians and vendors and publishers? Oh my!”

Al and Bill and Katina: “Librarians and vendors and publishers? Oh my!”

Al and Bill and Katina (skipping together): “Librarians and vendors and publishers? Oh my!”

All together: “We’re off to see the Conference, the Wonderful Conference of Chas.”

[Players Exit]- Round table is moved front and center, with 8 chairs

=====================================================================
SCENE TWO: An Early conference (1980’s)
Players: (around a large round table) Big Name Tents in front of each of them.
Katina: Athena Michaels
Janet Flowers: Ann-Marie Breaux
Tom Leonhardt: Todd Hallerman
Deanna Astle: Eleanor Cook
Chuck Hamaker: Himself
Lyman Newlin: John Laraway
Steve Johnson: Stephen Clark
Joe the (every) Vendor: John Riley

Narrator (Corrie): Welcome to 1980 and the very first Charleston Acquisitions Conference. In an era of power suits and post punk, Katina created a laid back atmosphere where suits and ties were left behind. The first Conference was only 50 people meeting in one room. Let’s take a peek back in time.

Katina: OK ya’ll [with notepad in hand, ready to take notes] – what are the hot topics of the day? We need to talk it about it.

Janet: I’m Janet Flowers from UNC-Chapel Hill. Well, we are wondering if our approval plan is working correctly and whether or not using CIP slips for ordering is the right way to go. We’ve also heard about a great new concept – the Integrated Library System – has anyone else considered that?

Tom: I’m Tom Leonhart from Duke. If any company can actually get all the library functions in one system, I’ll be a monkey’s uncle! I doubt I’ll see that in my lifetime. I’m more concerned right now about spending end of year money on microfilm sets whenever possible. They’ll even throw in a free film reader if you spend enough!

Deanna [While knitting]: I’m Deanna Astle from Clemson. I think prices are going to be a problem for a long, long time, so I am learning how to use spreadsheets – they are going to be the tool of the future.

Katina: “I can’t decide whether to order an oak or steel card catalogue. I want something that will hold up for decades.”

Tom: Be sure it’s expandable. It will need to last for centuries.

Katina: Anyone have questions or comments about these or other topics? I’m taking notes, you know.

Chuck: Hi,I’m Chuck Hamaker from Yale. I’ve had it with serial price increases! Do you know they now cost a dollar a word! A comma costs a nickel and a question mark is now a quarter!

Joe the Vendor: Hi I’m Joe the Vendor from Palookaville. I’m tired of librarians asking us vendors to constantly do more and give more discounts at the same time! How can we keep taking you out to Poogan’s Porch if we don’t make any money?”

Lyman: Hi I’m Lyman Newlin, as my good friend Johannes Gutenberg used to say, “Books will be obsolete in 600 hundred years. I’d better get busy before they invent that blasted e-book and put me out of business.

Steve: Hi I’m Steve Johnson from Clemson. Is it beer tasting time yet?

[Players get up and leave. Table gets moved out of the way for next scene; chairs re-arranged around the podium in a wide arc facing the audience]

=============================================================

SCENE THREE: A typical 1990’s conference {Robert Maxwell, Berlin wall, Tieneman square )

Katina: Athena Michaels
Chuck Hamaker: Himself
Lyman Newlin: John Laraway [will use a cane here, but still walking], slightly stooped]
Steve Johnson: Stephen Clark
Joe the (every) Vendor: John Riley
Becky Lenzini: Jennifer Clarke
Dorinda Harmon: Ann-Marie Breaux
Judy Webster: Susan Zappan

Players enter. sitting in a semi-circle around the podium, facing the audience. ]

Chuck (stands up): Hi I’m Chuck Hamaker from LSU. I’ve REALLY had it with serials price increases! Robert Maxwell is going overboard.” (Picture of Maxwell’s boat)
[Sits down]

Joe the Vendor: (Stands up) Hi I’m Joe the Vendor from the William Loman Company. I’m tired of librarians asking us vendors to constantly do more and give more discounts at the same time! If we don’t make money how can we afford those high dollar exhibit booths at ALA.? (Picture of elaborate trade show booth)

Lyman:(remains seated, but waves his cane) “Hi I’m Lyman Newlin and I’m not gettin’ any younger so I’m gonna let them bring the microphone to me. WhATTA YA THINK? Well, I could tell you lots of stories, but I don’t have time right now. You can read it all in Against the Grain, yep, Katina has that completely under control. My son, Fred, you know, he’s a smart one, he keeps telling me about this new fangled computer stuff, I think they call it the internet, what about that? Do you all know about that? We’re in historic times you know! The Berlin wall actually fell while we were here in Charleston - that’s amazing!

Steve: “Hi I’m Steve Johnson from Clemson. Is it beer tasting time yet?”

Dorinda: [agitated] Steve, you can set up your beer tasting outside tonight at the Oyster Roast, assuming I don’t have a nervous breakdown first, trying to get all the details of this ever-lovin’, ever-growing conference nailed down! Jeez Louise!

Judy: [Calmly] Settle down Dorinda. We’ll get through it, we always do, don’t we?

Dorinda: Judy you are the calmest person I ever met! Just slap me!

Katina: Judy, we miss you every day ...

Judy: Katina, the show must go on!

Katina: Yes it will. Let me give you my secret of juggling all of the programs and speakers and meetings.

All together: Please Katina we’ve always been amazed at how you do it all.

Katina: Well, y’all, this is how I do it. It’s been my secret formula for 30 years. Whenever anyone suggests a new topic for the conference or complains about something….I put them in charge of it! Simple They’re happy, I’m happy and the Conference goes on!

All together: So that’s your secret to staying cool, calm and collected in the middle of it all.

Katina: Like with the skits. I just let the Charleston Players go nuts. I just can’t say no to nobody ya’all.

=================================================================

SCENE FOUR: A Typical early 21st century conference (circa 2002) (Skits, e-things)

Katina: Athena Michaels
Lyman: John Laraway [comes in riding the scooter, waving cane]
Beth Bernhardt: Jennifer Clarke
Anthony Watkinson: Stephen Clark (ringing bell)
Chuck Hamaker: Himself
Edna Loughrey: Ann-Marie Breaux
Eleanor: Herself
John Riley: Himself

Players enter. This time they are up on the podium, talking amongst themselves.

Eleanor: John we’ve got to work on this new skit but we CANNOT have 15 minutes of Shakespearean soliloquy spouting Elizabethan curses! We don’t have time!

John: Well drats. Katina said do whatever we want. Let’s see…How about a skit called “Melville Dewey, Zombie Slayer?”

Eleanor: [rolls eyes]: Jooohhnnnn!!!!

John: Vampire Hunter?”

Beth: Skit Folks, you have 15 minutes tops, OK?

Anthony: Methinks the damsel doth protest too much. I fancy John’s Elizabethan patter of course, but we only have so much time for this dribble you know.

Chuck: It is MUCH more important that we have time for the important issues These skits are just a distraction! I am seriously concerned about serials pricing!

Katina: But Chuck, I do so like enjoy them! The skits, that is.

Edna: We have to think about the bottom line sometimes in order to keep going.

Beth: Yeah, Katina, the bottom line. We have over a thousand people coming now. Where are we going to put them all?

Edna: We could cut off attendance and limit the number of attendees.

Katina: Horrors no! I just can’t say no to nobody.

=================================================================

SCENE Five What the Future May Hold

Conference: Flash Forward to 2020

Katina: Athena Michaels
Chuck Hamaker: Himself
Joe the vendor: John Riley
Lyman: John Laraway
Steve Johnson: Stephen Clark
God: Jack Montgomery (in the Gold Room)

Katina: “Welcome to the new Patron Driven Acquisitions Conference and Yoga retreat. What do ya’ll want to do?”

Chuck: “Well at least there aren’t any more blasted serials to complain about now that it’s 2020, and I am retired and living in Rio.

Joe the Vendor: “No vendors either. Now that Google has the copyright on the alphabet and Amazon has a patent on reading how can we make any money? Ah, Remember books?

Lyman: “Books? I can remember when there was just one continent.”

Steve: “At least there’s still beer. I vote we do some patron driven keg tapping.”

Voice of Jack Montgomery over speaker system: “Hi, this is God. I wanted to thank Katina for doing my work in trying to bring peace, love, and understanding to the tribes. Katina, I award you my highest honor…sainthood in the Pantheon of Jubilee Saints!

Katina: “Oh my God, I mean, God you’ve got a Southern accent. Just like lil’ ol’ me.”
“That’s because you’re an angel Katina and Charleston is a just little piece of Heaven.”

Katina: Well, God, I have one last wish....I want to go back just for an hour, back to the Jukebox in 1990.

God: Your wish is my command Katina. We started with a dance let’s end it with one too!

==============================================================

FINAL (SIXTH) SCENE At the Jukebox Discotheque

Narrator (Ann-Marie): We take you back to the Jukebox, a dance club where many memories and hangovers were created...

At the Jukebox Discotheque {Ann-Marie will drive the PPT for this}
Katina: Athena Michaels
Eleanor: Herself
Corrie: Herself
Sandy Paul: Jennifer Clarke
John Riley: Himself
Nancy Newbie: Susan Zappan
British vendor: Tim Turner
French Publisher: Stephen Clark

[“I will Survive” and then “We Are Family” playing in the background]

Players enter to music. Dressed for discotheque. Milling around, grooving to the music, beer bottles in hand.

French Publisher: Bon soir mademoiselle. You are looking tres chic tonight. I work for an international publisher and have had 4 wives but am currently between wives, so would you care to dance with me?

Eleanor: Oh certainly, and you smell divine too, you are wearing some kind of fabulous French cologne. Just don’t get any ideas about me being your next acquisition.

French publisher: But of course, mais non! Just a dance, belle chere! [They dance]

British vendor: What a delightful venue! Reminds me of a London discotheque So, do you come here often? I currently have investments in 5 different companies, last time I checked. Would you care to dance?

Corrie: Sure, can you do the Electric Slide?

British vendor: My dear! I am a British gentleman, I am used to waltzing at the Proms..

Corrie: OK, let’s boogie! (Corrie grabs him and starts dancing)

Sandy Paul: Oh, This is one of my favorite songs! [We are Family starts playing]

John Riley: Me too, it’s perfect for the conference crowd.

Sandy Paul: I have to practice before I can do that one! {They dance}

Newbie Conference attendee: Wow, Katina, this is so much fun! Do ya’ll do this every year?

Katina: As long as Charleston is here we’ll be too. Thanks for coming for 30 years! Come on y’all….let’s all dance.

[Actors dance out of the room with Katina}

Patron Driven Acquisitions Panel at ALA

2010-07-20T08:26:00.000-04:00

Publisher Vendor Library Relations Committee ALA 2010

First of all I would like to thank the committee co-chairs Liz Lorbeer from the University of Alabama Health Sciences Library in Birmingham and Kim Steinle from Duke University Press for inviting me to address this topic from the point of view of a traditional book vendor and I would also like to thank Busca’s CEO Michael Cooper for choosing me to represent our company on the panel.

I have to admit that I have never seen an innovation take off as fast as Patron Initiated Purchase of E-Books (PIPE) or Patron Driven Access (PDA), as we would call it in our acronym addicted ALA groups. I first heard about it at our last PVLR or Publisher Vendor Librarian Relations committee meeting at Boston Midwinter and now everywhere I go I am hearing about pilot projects. It has taken off so fast that we might soon need to change the acronym of our own group from PVLR to just PV…Patron Vendor…or eventually just P…Patron only.

This new formula definitely fits Ranganathan’s 5 laws
Books are for use.
Every reader his [or her] book.
Every book its reader.
Save the time of the reader.
The library is a growing organism

Patron Initiated Purchase of Ebooks meets all of these criteria and we also know that researchers need quick access to information when they are on the track of a new discovery. But one thing we don’t know is where this will all end. With extremely tight book budgets there is not a lot of room for arbitrary purchases. Have you ever tried returning an ebook? Most of the studies I have seen showing that 40-50% of book purchases never circulate in an academic library are very dated (Hardest y,1981 & Kent, 1979). In our current economic environment I think librarians are already purchasing books on an “as needed basis,” so the patron driven model is already in place.

We are at the beginning of a process that can best be termed “disintermediation.” Just as travel agents, bookstores, record stores, and video stores got “disintermediated” or let’s just call it dissed from now on, libraries may be facing a similar future. We must be on the lookout for who is going to get dissed next in this new patron driven process: the vendor? The librarian? The publisher? Higher Education itself? Surely not the patron.

The vendor is definitely getting dissed as approval plans fall to patron driven models. Vendors are struggling to remain relevant in a market that has been flattened by the internet. The librarian too is getting dissed as the patron takes over. Staff cuts could reach the point where the only librarian left would be the one cutting the checks to the aggregators. This has already happened to corporate libraries.

Will the publisher get dissed? Already Amazon and Google and Barnes and Noble are launching publishing initiatives. Smaller publishers are getting squeezed by shrinking margins extracted by resellers such as Amazon which gets a 60% discount out of them. Then there is open access and self publishing. Over one million additional titles were added to Books in Print last year. Many of them were reprints, but nearly 200k were self published books. For better or worse Ebooks will open the floodgates of self publishing.

But publishers may have the last laugh as distributors themselves get dissed. Already ebooks are showing up on special interest sites and publishers are beginning to pursue micro marketing campaigns focused on special interest sites. In the academic sphere could we imagine ebooks migrating from libraries to course catalogues or to footnotes in journals and textbooks? And like a famous definition of God, Ebooks are now everywhere and nowhere at once.

But the other part of the patron ebook model, the ebook, has had a slower trajectory taking nearly 10 years to become popular. It took Kindle and now the iPad to break things open for the general public and possibly for libraries, even though most ebooks are still read on PC’s. But in an omen 2 year old in her stroller was recently observed holding an iPad and interacting with it…scrolling and manipulating the screen with dexterous little fingers. I would have given her a pop-up instead, but she is all ready for the future of books.

Unfortunately the ebook market has been marred by smoke mirrors reporting on sales and availability. Amazon kicked it off by reporting that sales of ebooks had surpassed print books on its site, and then it turned out that they were including free books and copyright free books in their statistics. Then Apple claimed to have cornered 22% of the ebook market in a matter of weeks. Again the numbers were suspect as free books were being included. I am not a Luddite and I do believe that the ebook moment has finally arrived, but accompanied by a lot of hype.

Think back to the launch of ebooks 10 years ago and the breathless marketing of the digital book. Then it turned out that most of the books in the databases were older, out of date publications that publishers were happy to repackage as something new. Obfuscation still clouds the waters when dealing with ebooks. They are not easier to read, they are not easier to comprehend, they are not cheaper than print books (in the academic marketplace…yet!), but they are easier to distribute. Amazon’s distribution model may be why they got into the ebook market in the first place as we now see Kindle editions for iPad, iPhone, Blackberry, and for the PC, all free apps.

I recently published a book and downloaded it onto Kindle for free. The whole process took less than 24 hours from download to worldwide exposure. Now even more people can skip buying my book. But it is much easier to promote without having to ship copies to all parts of the world and it will always be there, never going out of print. I am hoping it stimulates my print sales by allowing readers to preview chapters before purchase. It is also a model librarians might consider as patrons could actually add their own books to the catalogue. More “library as publisher” opportunities.

Back to pricing. Amazon got into a bit of a kerfuffle with Macmillan about pricing models and Macmillan sort of won by enforcing what is called an “agency model” meaning they get to name the price, not Amazon, but it only means that Macmillan will price out at $14.99 instead of $9.99 for its popular ebook titles. Amazon is pushing for even lower pricing arguing that publishers will do better by selling in volume (and it is now a worldwide market). Such pricing wars haven’t hit the academic market (yet). But there may be some movement in that direction if the “agency model” turns out to be deemed anticompetitive as such pricing for paper books has been judged. We have seen Amazon and even Wal-Mart willing to take a loss on best sellers to stimulate traffic to their stores. Could we see publishers go along with lower ebook pricing to stimulate sales of their other books? Just this week a price war broke out on e-readers. Will we soon see free ebook readers given away to stimulate ebook sales?

I recently did a quick comparison of pricing for some ebooks versus their print counterparts. Since so many ebooks are older imprints there are numerous print copies available on the used book market already. Books generally fall drastically in price once they are published as used copies hit the market. There is no such thing as a used ebook, yet. Another problem with ebooks is that publishers are holding back releasing the ebook until they have sold a sufficient quantity of the print version. Originally publishers were holding back 3 months, but now 6 months is more common.

What this does is give librarians the opportunity to obtain print copies inexpensively to accompany their ebook collections. Some consortia have even worked out arrangements where they are allowed to print 2 copies of each book in their ebook collection. Since ebooks are so unreadable librarians should prepare for an uptick in requests for print copies of their books, since ebook companies generally limit printing of their books.

Busca, as a traditional vendor, is an effective supplier of these one off requests. Larger vendors have generally discouraged orders for older imprints and smaller presses, preferring instead to focus on approval plans, while Busca and other traditional vendors have focused on the harder to get items. We see this as a great niche to be in and also many of the smaller presses will not be publishing ebooks, yet. Busca also offers a great out of print service where we search multiple sites for out of print books looking for the best condition and price. This differs from single source suppliers. We are also exploring offering a print service for free ebooks tied in with our book binding partner and we are also considering the Espresso Book Machine for the convergence of ebooks with Print on Demand services.

Busca is pursuing a dual track strategy keeping print options open, but we are also partnering with all of the major ebook aggregators and we are starting to add thousands of titles to our 5 million item database every month. We are also adding Spanish ebooks to our database. Our CEO travels frequently to Latin America and he attended the last Guadalajara Book Fair looking to make more contacts.

We are in the middle of project where libraries will be able to order individual ebooks from Busca using their catalogues. Ebrary has partnered with us to begin a pilot project by the end of the year. We forsee a continued demand for print as well as ebooks and simply want to be wherever the readers are.

Predictions:

1) All books published before 1923, the copyright free books, will all be free online. Once they are on the internet they can’t be controlled. Think what that will mean for the rare book trade and for interlibrary loan. Free ebooks will revolutionize the o.p. market, but there will still be demand for print copies, just more inexpensive ones. Truly rare books may become even more valuable, but will be considered museum artifacts.

2) The “Orphan books” that have been scanned by Google will not be a significant addition to the literature. The period between 1923 and let’s say 1960 was not an era of massive numbers of published books. The worthwhile ones are already in reprint. There’s a reason the others are orphans.

3) Because of the advances in Print on Demand all books will be available in dual editions print and e. Ebooks will be a way to see if you actually want a print copy.

4) Ebooks will continue to come down in price. The last high priced ones are science and technical publications and they are morphing into databases anyway, searchable by keywords and topics. Pay per view seems to be the way they will go. Why own them?

5) Vendors will have to concentrate on value added services to survive. With more staff cuts coming in libraries vendors have an obvious role to play. Handling rights and licensing could become a growth area for vendors.

6) Libraries will become “just in time” providers of information, whether ebooks or print books delivered from off site or by inter library loan or by a device such as the Espresso book machine.

7) Colleges and universities will be under enormous pressure to offer more courses online and at a lower cost. The library will morph into an information creating center as well as a provider of information.

8) The internet will go away and will be seen for the fad that really was…just checking to see if you were paying attention.

Let’s all get our digital assets up and moving and change the world.

I would like to close with a mention of a competitive reading device that was recently reviewed in Publishers Weekly:

“The power source is a mystery: there was no battery that our reporter could find, nor was he able to locate anything resembling a wireless antenna. Yet the bright ivory-white surface enabled our reader to make out 10-point text clearly in ambient light even at an astounding 20-degree reading angle.

Environmentalists will rejoice to hear that the device is almost completely green, containing no rare metals, toxic chemicals, sharp edges, or breakable components. However, its graphic display is so handsome that owners may prefer retaining it and integrating it as a decorating element in their homes

And now for the best part. Fully loaded you would expect to pay... how much? $300? $500? But this gadget comes in at a brain-bending $14.95! Watch it walk—yea, gallop!—out of the stores on launch day.”

Thank you. I hope you can visit us at buscainc.com soon.

ALA Annual Conference 2010

2010-07-16T13:10:00.003-04:00

Recently I returned from the American Library Association annual conference held
in Washington, DC. It was a great event, with high attendance, special performance
by Natalie Merchant singing poems, and DuPonts walking around in Circles.

BUSCA's dear friend and colleague, John D. Riley, participated in a panel discussion
about Patron Driven Acquisitions. John's white paper on this topic was presented
to an enthusiastic audience. We hope to soon post that white paper on this blog!

Silently A Flower Blooms

2010-05-27T16:02:00.002-04:00

This week I attended the ENY-ACRL regional conference of ASSOCIATION of COLLEGE
& RESEARCH LIBRARIES held in Hamilton, New York at COLGATE UNIVERSITY.
While on campus I visited CHAPEL HOUSE. There I discovered this poem written by
a former Chapel House guest, Abbot Zenkei Shibayama Roshi of NANZENJI MONASTERY
in Kyoto, JAPAN.

SILENTLY A FLOWER BLOOMS

In silence it falls away;
Yet here now, at this moment, at this place,
the whole of the flower, the whole of the world
is blooming.
This is the talk of the flower, the truth of
the blossom
The glory of eternal life is shining here.

Spring Conference Season

2010-05-11T14:11:00.003-04:00

Lilacs in the air, purple wonders help remove excessive cares....

Stop and sniff a purple magical flower, then hop on a plane or car or bus

It's Spring Conference Season again and a season for renewing hope and trust ...

TEXAS LIBRARY ASSOCIATION...April 2010

TLA this year was in San Antonio. I enjoyed speaking briefly at a Library - Vendor
meeting in the downtown conference center. The participapation at that meeting was much better this year than the prior one in Houston, so that was encouraging for all of us there!

An extra bonus, an unexpected surprise for me, was that April in San Antonio means
FIESTA, which is the local version of Mardis Gras. Wow, was that fun! In the old
Mexican-American part of town, EL MERCADO, I discovered numerous excellent bands
performing during a few of the evenings coinciding with my visit. The music was happening
in the streets, and the local folk crowded around with baby strollers, boots filled with beer, and genuine hospitality for each other. Much good dancing was also going-on to match the great
music. I enjoyed hearing lots of Spanish being spoken, and it did feel like I had taken a
vacation to a charming foreign paradise!

ENY - ACRL, Eastern New York Chapter of Assoc. of College & Research Libraries

This event will be happening May 24 at COLGATE UNIVERSITY in Hamilton, NY.
I look forward to being there. If possible, it would be even better to arrive there the
prior afternoon at 5 PM, as there will be a fascinating planetarium presentation .....
followed by a dinner gathering at the SEVEN OAKS Golf Course Lodge near campus.
I hope to have time to also visit Colgate's Chapel House, a retreat center which contains
a fine intimate library of philosophical, religious, and literary titles which are surrounded
by splendid fine arts paintings and sculptures.

ALA Annual -- June 2010 in Washington, DC

I hope to see many friends and colleagues at this event. BUSCA, Inc. will be on the
show floor, sharing some exhibit space generously offered by our dear pals from BASCH
SUBSCRIPTIONS and from THE REFERENCE SHELF. The exhibit space numbers:
4219 & 4221

Look for us presenting some ideas at the ALCTS Publisher-Vendor-Library Relations
Interest Group. The panel will take place Monday morning, June 28th(presumably
at the Conference Center).

Local Author Brings Revolutionary War to Life (Audra E. Clark, Valley Breeze)

2010-02-19T21:59:00.005-05:00

(By AUDRA E. CLARK, Valley Breeze Staff Writer)

Revolutionary War re-enactor Norman Desmarais, of Lincoln, traveled all over the county and England while researching his new book on the American War of Independence.
"My goal was to write a comprehensive, if not exhaustive, history of the American Revolution," said Desmarais.
"The Guide to the American Revolutionary War in Canada and New England" is being published this year by Busca Incorporated.
The book is meant to be the first in a multi-volume series. Desmarais spent the last 12 years on research for the series and it took him up and down the Eastern seaboard and even to England.
According to Desmarias, his research took him to England to examine the archives over there and visit Lord Nelson's ship, the HMS Victory.
While in England, Desmarias took a tour of Bath.
"On the tour they showed the home of Major AndrÃƒÂ©. The British didn't know his first name, and I said his name is John," said Desmarais. "They asked what I knew of John AndrÃƒÂ©. I talked about how he knew Benedict Arnold's wife and how they got Arnold to betray West Point, and so they turned the tour over to me."
Desmarais' book gives the location and important facts on 403 Revolutionary War battles, raids, and skirmishes in New England and Canada.
Many of the battles described in the book are accompanied by photos of any remaining landmarks or evidence of Revolutionary War forts and battles. Most of the photos were taken by Desmarais during his travels.
As he flips through his book, Desmarais points to a photo of a stone and says that it is the only way that this particular battle field can be identified.
"There are so many unmarked battlefields that people walk past or hike past and don't even know what they are seeing," said Desmarais. "Even the people who live in the town might not know it's there."
According to Desmarais, all that's left of the defenses from the battle in Charleston, S.C., is a section of tabby wall.
"I was at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston and I told the people staying there that they didn't realize it, but they were standing on a battlefield," said Desmarais.
The book's chapters are divided by state, and at the beginning of each chapter is a modern map of the state with a mark for each battle detailed in that chapter.
According to Desmarais, he never would have written "The Guide to the American Revolutionary War in Canada and New England" if he was not a re-enactor. Desmarais has been a member of the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment for 14 years.
"Re-enactiong gives you a deeper appreciation of history," said Desmarais. "You get to feel a lot of the emotions and stresses that our ancestors felt."
Desmarais said that participating in re-enactments took him to many of the places he eventually wrote about in his book.
"What happened here?" That is the question Desmarais said he would hear re-enactors asking each other at battlefields. "I thought that if re-enactors aren't aware of it, then the general public certainly isn't aware if it," said Desmarais.
He wrote the book intending it to be a good informational tool for re-enactors, historians, genealogists trying to trace their ancestors to the Revolutionary War, local historical societies and the general public interested in history.
Desmarais' next volume will be on the battles of New York state. "The Guide to the American Revolutionary War in Canada and New England" is fully footnoted from research of original sources including diaries and pension records.
The book is available from publisher, Busca Incorporated, and at normd@providence.edu.
SDLqThis is a war that we could have easily lost, and if we had, I imagine we could still be British citizens today," said Desmarais. "People seem to think that our winning the war was a forgone conclusion, but it wasn't."

http://www.valleybreeze.com/Free/ENT-MAIN-Rev--War-Author-w-pic-clone

Springer US Titles

2010-02-16T11:11:00.002-05:00

Springer US has provided Busca with new lists of their titles. You can view the Word document files on our Other Publishers page next to Springer US’s main entry.

If you are a publisher and would like us to list your titles, please contact Busca.

Author Update: Ann Drake

2010-01-26T15:43:00.003-05:00

Ann Drake, author of Healing of the Soul: Shamanism and Psyche, has created a new blog, Revitalizing Health Care with Ancient Wisdom from the Past. If you enjoy her writing and wisdom, don't miss it!

As we debate how health care should be structured, we fail to discuss how we heal and come into well being. Read my blog at: www.anndrakesoulwork.com/blog or access it through Facebook - anndrakesoulwork and join the discussion on how we heal.

Many blessings,
Ann

Busca at ALA Midwinter 2010

2010-01-13T12:27:00.002-05:00

Busca will have a strong presence at ALA Midwinter this January. Michael Cooper, our president, will share our work locating out of print and POD books. You can read more about the discussion at ALA below.

ALCTS Out of Print Discussion Group (OPDG) at ALA Midwinter 2010

Title: The Growing Availability of Out of Print Books: Digitization on Demand, Print on Demand, and the Expanding O.P. Market.

Time: Sunday, January 17 1:30-3:00

Location: Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, room 157 B

More and more libraries are offering Digitization on Demand which allows patrons to select the books that are digitized and released on the web. One of the pioneers in this area is the Boston Library Consortium http://www.blc.org/ James Lee of the Brandeis University Library will walk us through the whole process and share some of the Consortium’s documentation. In addition Michael Cooper from Busca, Inc. www.buscainc.com will share some of his company’s strategies for locating out of print and POD books.

The committee will also hold an election for the upcoming year’s chair and co-chair.

The Out of Print Discussion Group isn’t just about o.p. books. We are open to all types of topics including Orphan Works, Large Scale Digitization Initiatives, Print on Demand, and Digitization on Demand. So come and join your colleagues in a wide ranging discussion of the hottest topic in the library world: out of print books!

Busca Publishing News: The Guide to the American Revolutionary War in Canada and New England: Battles, Raids, and Skirmishes

2009-11-08T04:10:00.009-05:00

The Guide to the American Revolutionary War in Canada and New England: Battles, Raids, and Skirmishes

Author: Norman Desmarais

ISBN: 978-1-9349340-1-2

Learn more about the book online here:

http://buscainc.com/html/guidetotheamericanrevolutionarywar.html

Our website includes a 192 image collection of revolutionary war related photos; a complete bibliography; an alphabetical list of battles; a chronological list of battles; and a list of battle sites grouped to major cities and locations.

The book is on sale now - and when purchased online at http://www.buscainc.com/ it is available for 10% off.

Virtual Worlds

2009-11-02T09:42:00.004-05:00

On October 30, 2009 the South Central Regional Library Council (New York - USA) held its annual Conference. Along with council business, those attending were treated to various presenters speaking about libraries and their presence in virtual worlds, particulary in SecondLife. com

NEW SPANISH TITLES (Novidades/New Releases)

2009-10-05T10:01:00.000-04:00

Novedades / New Releases

Best sellers / Mejores Vendidos: Libreria Universal Ediciones Universal con su filial, Librería & Distribuidora Universal es una empresa que desde 1965 se dedica a la distribución y edición de libros escritos en español en general y especialmente de autores y temas cubanos o latinoamericanos. Con más de 2,000 títulos publicados concentrados en la temática de cultura, historia y literatura cubana; y el poder de localizar casi todo libro escrito en español Librería Distribuidora e Ediciones Universal son a los que uno debe girarse para todos sus deseos de literatura hispana.

EL SUPER, Iván Acosta Iván Acosta es uno de los más reconocidos escritores cubanos especialmente en los campos del teatro, el cine y la música. Esta obra de teatro EL SUPER, fue llevada a la pantalla y obtuvo importantes reconocimientos y premios internacionales. Pero tuvo además el valor de encarnar la vida de los primeros años del exilio cubano. Una obra sentida y querida por la gran mayoría de los cubanos.ISBN: 978-0-89729-271-92009 (Reimpresión facsímil de la edición original de 1982) LCCC# 80-68858 / $ 16.00

CON EL RIFLE AL HOMBRO; Horacio Ferrer

AUTHOR INFORMATION (INFORMACIÓN AUTOR):

Horacio Ferrer siguió la tradición familiar y se hizo médico pero siendo todavía estudiante y viendo la trágica situación de su país se unió a las filas del Ejército Mambí que luchaban por la independencia de Cuba. Luego participa activamente en la política de los primeros años de la República mientras ejerce la medicina. Es una figura principal de la historia de Cuba.

Horacio Ferrer followed his family’s tradition and became a medical doctor but before joined the Mambi army which was fighting for Cuba’s independence from Spain. He actively participates in Cuba’s political life during the early years of the Republic. He is a key figure in Cuba’s history.

DESCRIPTION (DESCRIPCIÓN):

Reedición facsímil de las memorias de Horacio Ferrer. En este libro se puede seguir el desarrollo de la Guerra de Independencia a la que Ferrer se une desde sus inicios (1895). La vida en campaña es narrada con mucha información hasta la paz de 1898. Luego hace un recuento de la historia de la joven república, la Guerra de los Negros, las revoluciones y golpes, el gobierno de Machado y los hechos del Hotel Nacional en que también participa. Un volumen que arroja luz sobre Cuba en sus años fundacionales. Con prólogo de Miguel Ángel Carbonell.

Facsimile of Horacio Ferrer’s memoirs. In this firsthand account, one can follow the evolution of the Cuban War of Independence, a war Ferrer joined from the very beginning in 1895. The campaign is narrated with much detail until peace is finally reached in 1898. The second part of the book covers the story of the young Republic with all the uprising, revolutions and coups, the Machado presidency and the events in the Hotel Nacional- ones in which the author was a first hand participant. This book is fundamental in shedding light on Cuba’s early years as a young and free country. Introduction by Miguel Angel Carbonell.

PLACE OF PUBLICATION (LUGAR): Miami, Florida, USA - SERIES (COLECCIÓN): Colección Cuba y sus Juces - EDITION (EDICIÓN): (First edición, La Habana, 1950) Second edition (Segunda edición) - PUBLICATION DATE (FECHA EDICIÓN): June (junio) 2009 - BINDING (ENCUADERNACIÓN): Paper (rústica) - FORMAT-PAGES (FORMATO/PÁGINAS): 6 x 9" 455 p. - I.S.B.N.: ISBN-10: 1-59388-154-1 / ISBN-13: 978-1-59388-154-2 -PRICE (PRECIO): $ 49.00

MÁRTIR DE GUAJAIBÓN HOMENAJE A JULIÁN MARTÍNEZ INCLÁN; José M. González-Llorente (Ed.)

AUTHOR INFORMATION (INFORMACIÓN AUTOR):

El editor de este libro, José Miguel González-Llorente preparó la edición de este libro junto a sus compañeros del curso 1957 del Colegio de Belén de La Habana, Cuba. La traducción al inglés por Modesto Alonso.

The editor of this book, Jose Miguel Gonzalez-Llorente, prepared this book along with his high school classmates from Havana’s Colegio de Belen, class of 1957. The English translation was done by Modesto Alonso.

DESCRIPTION (DESCRIPCIÓN):

El 26 de diciembre de 1959 Julián Martínez Inclán, junto a otros 4 compañeros (Ramón Pérez Lima, Javier Calvo Formoso, José Ignacio Martí Santa Cruz y Manuel Zábalo Rodríguez) fue asesinado en Cuba por miembros del ejército de la dictadura de F. Batista. Este libro es un homenaje de los compañeros de Julián del Curso 1957 del Colegio de Belén. Se reproduce una carta de Julián cuando hacía Ejercicios Espirituales Ignacianos en 1959, poco antes de partir a su encuentro con la muerte. Testimonios y reflexiones de sus compañeros de curso: Eduardo Muñiz, Modesto Alonso, Joaquín Pérez Rodríguez, Rolando Castañeda, Ricardo Puerta, Antonio García Crews, Modesto Alonso y José M. González-Llorente. Cinco mártires de la Fe en Jesucristo y el amor a Cuba y su derecho a la libertad, justicia y felicidad. Con fotos. Edición bilingüe español e inglés.

On December 26,1959, Julian Martinez Inclan was assassinated in Cuba along with 4 other friends (Ramon Perez Lima, Javier Calvo Formoso, Jose Ignacio Marti Santa Cruz and Manuel Zabalo Rodriguez) by members of the Batista government. In this book, his classmates from the 1957 graduating class from Belen School pay him homage. Contained in the book are pictures and a reproduction of a letter written by Julian during a religious spiritual retreat shortly before his death. Also contained are testimonies and reflections by his classmates Eduardo Muniz, Modesto Alonso, Joaquin Perez Rodriguez, Rolando Castaneda, Ricardo Puerta, Antonio Garcia Crews, Modesto Alonso and Jose M. Gonzalez-Llorente. This is a bilingual edition: Spanish/English.

PLACE OF PUBLICATION (LUGAR): Miami, Florida, USA - SERIES (COLECCIÓN): Colección Félix Varela # 39 - EDITION (EDICIÓN): First edition (primera edición) - PUBLICATION DATE (FECHA EDICIÓN): May (mayo), 2009 - BINDING (ENCUADERNACIÓN): Paper (rústica) - FORMAT-PAGES (FORMATO/PÁGINAS): 5 ¼ x 7 ½" 162 p. - LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CAT. CARD # : 2008911398 - I.S.B.N.:ISBN-10: 1-59388-155-x / ISBN-13: 978-1-59388-155-9 - PRICE (PRECIO): $ 13.00

ROLANDO MASFERRER EN EL PAÍS DE LOS MITOS; Roberto Luque Escalona

AUTHOR INFORMATION (INFORMACIÓN AUTOR):

Roberto Luque Escalona nació en Holguín, Cuba. Curso estudios en la UNAM y en la Universidad de La Habana. Participó en la revolución contra Batista y muy temprano comenzó su oposición al régimen de Castro. Ha publicado varios libros como la biografía de Ernesto Guevara, Yo el mejor de todos, y varias novelas como Bonpland # 8 y Lorenzo y el Cordero del Diablo. Es también un destacado periodista.

Roberto Luque Escalona was born in Holguin, Cuba, and studied in the UNAM (México) and University of Havana. A participant in the revolution against Batista and the opposition of Castro’s regime he is currently a journalist with several published books, among them: Yo, el mejor de todos (biography of Ernesto Guevara), and the novelas: Bonpland #8 and Lorenzo y el Cordero del Diablo.

DESCRIPTION (DESCRIPCIÓN):

Escribe el autor sobre su libro: «Personas, hechos, objetos, instituciones: nada ha escapado a la inclinación de los cubanos por el mito. Casi todos laudatorios, convierten lo mitificado en algo o alguien muy por encima de su valor real. Las excepciones, los mitos negativos, convergen en una sola persona. Rolando Masferrer, tachado por muchos de asesino sin que de sus asesinatos se reclame prueba, miembro de un grupo de revolucionarios sin revolución calificados de gangsters, personaje de una república hoy por muchos añorada y antes por casi todos vilipendiada, nadie mejor que él para ser emblema involuntario de esa tendencia que ha sido uno de los motivos mayores de nuestro fracaso como nación». Aparte de la figura de Masferrer el libro se refiere a otros mitos desde los mambises, el del chulo Yarini, Mella, Mañach, Guiteras, los del gatillo alegre, Cayo Confites, Grau, Chibás, Quevedo el de Bohemia, Pardo Llada y muchos otros. Un libro transgresor y polémico.

Persons, events, objects, institutions: nothing has escaped the Cuban inclination towards myths. Rolando Masferrer, written up by many as a murderer, but without proof of any killings, was labeled a gangster and a member of a revolutionary group- without revolution. As a main character in a Republic that today is desired but which was in the past detested…no one better than he to be an involuntary emblem for that tendency which has been the greatest reason for the failure of the Cuban nation.

PLACE OF PUBLICATION (LUGAR): Miami, Florida, USA - SERIES (COLECCIÓN): Colección Cuba y sus Jueces - EDITION (EDICIÓN): First edition (primera edición) - PUBLICATION DATE (FECHA EDICIÓN): June (junio), 2009 - BINDING (ENCUADERNACIÓN): Paper (rústica) - FORMAT-PAGES (FORMATO/PÁGINAS): 6 x 9" 149 p. - LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CAT. CARD # : 20099225009 - I.S.B.N.:ISBN-10: 1-59388-162-2 / ISBN-13: 978-1-59388-162-7 - PRICE (PRECIO): $ 19.00

Partial List of July 2009 Big Screen Film Reviews

2009-08-12T08:00:00.003-04:00

HARRY POTTER and the HALF BLOOD PRINCE ... David Yates (Director), Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson...The New Yorker...July 27, 2009
ADAM ... Max Mayer (Director), Hugh Dancy ... New York Times ... July 26, 2009
YOU, THE LIVING ... Roy Andersson (Filmmaker) ... New York Times ... July 26, 2009
BRUNO ... Sacha Baron Cohen ... The New Yorker ... July 20, 2009
IN THE LOOP ... Armando Iannucci (Director), Peter Capaldi, Chris Addison ... New York Times ... July 19, 2009
THE COVE ... Louie Psihoyos (Director) ... New York Times ... July 19, 2009
SHRINK ... Jonas Pate (Filmmaker), Kevin Spacey ... New York Times ... July 19, 2009
(500) DAYS OF SUMMER ... Marc Webb (Director), Zooey Deschanel, Joseph Gordon-Levitt ... New York Times ... July 12, 2009

2009-08-12T07:54:00.002-04:00

As of August 10, 2009 the current top 4 bestselling Spanish language titles in the US:

--EL SECRETO...Rhonda Byrne

--ECLIPSE...Stephenie Meyer

--WEBSTER'S SPANISH-ENGLISH DICTIONARY

--LUNA NUEVA...Stephenie Meyer

After ALA Things Are Quiet

2009-07-27T16:13:00.002-04:00

ALA Annual in Chicago was a treat! Thanks to all who stopped-by in the exhibit hall to greet me. Traffic was good, and it was fun meeting folks from New Buffalo, plain old Buffalo,
Jamaica, West Africa, and The Middle East.

Lake Michigan was a joy to behold, as its vast waters welcomed all to her shores. I walked the beach in Evanston, Illinois, in bare feet, creating spiral patterns in the sand.

The local metro lines served me well. Up and down the Red Line, Blue to O'Hare, buses, too.
My thanks to the metro service folks who were patient enough to steer me through...

Now life is quieter....back to summer in upstate NY. Cayuga Lake is here to calm the heart.

Hope you will enjoy July and early August as well. Some say the next days may bring
a sweltering wave.

Peace to you and yours,
Michael

BUSCA News: New Website Launched

2009-07-17T09:33:00.002-04:00

We're introducing our new look to our website today. Visit it online here: http://www.buscainc.com

Hope you enjoy and feel welcome to comment!

Michael

Busca Publishing News: BUSCA News: Shamanism Meets Modern Psychology

2009-06-23T18:21:00.001-04:00

HEALING OF THE SOUL: SHAMANISM & PSYCHE, Updated and Revised Edition

By Ann Drake, Psy.D.

$19.95 Paper

ISBN 978-1-934934-00-5

Bomohs are shamans from an Islamic Unani tradition. While in Borneo with the Peace Corps in the 1960s, Ann Drake made contacts which eventually would draw her into this lineage connected with historic indigenous practices.

HEALING OF THE SOUL: SHAMANISM AND PSYCHE is a publication authored by Ann Drake, Psy.D., who formerly taught psychology to doctoral students. Ann has an established therapy practice near Boston where, using ancient tools and modern ideas, she helps clients heal themselves. Her accomplishments with trauma victims are outlined in fascinating narratives. Ann’s own adventures on the healing path are revealed with exotic color and great integrity. The first edition of this book was published in 2003.

Enter a world where it is possible to mediate between the spirit world and ordinary reality. Learn some basics of how a trained initiate divines the origin of a problem/illness. Read about cures, including removal of spells, and the ability to foretell important events.

Find out why renowned author/Jungian psychotherapist Robert Bosnak has given the following praise: “..this book is an unusual trailblazer, full of wonder and maturity, filled to the brim with insights, courageously wrested from the depths.”

Contact BUSCA for ordering and details

Download the Press Release

Welcome to the Busca Blog!

2009-06-23T18:18:00.002-04:00

Welcome to our blog! We'll be posting news and new information about Busca, Inc. in this blog. We'll cover our own published books as well as the wide range of publishing and distribution services we have to offer.

Check in often to see what is new with Busca!