You do bring up some very valid points Lissi, and I want to second your concern.
Some time ago I did notice that a few books were scanned and proofread by the same person and given the short path to the collection. I didn't notice many like that, but that could be one of the reasons for our incredible shrinking checkout page. I really love the book history feature that bookshare has implemented. In that way we can track a book's path to glory.
Bob----- Original Message ----- From: "Estelnalissi" <airadil@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2009 11:21 PM Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: proofreading crisis
Dear Bud and Booksharian Friends, The scarcity of books to proofread on the check-out page is alarming.I understand Bookshare wouldn't want to alienate its volunteers en masse, but I think a small number of volunteers may be responsible for a large amount of poor quality material being shunted through the system. Certainly conscientious proofreaders are missing the opportunity we had, a mere 3 months ago, to find books upon which to lavish our attention, but worse yet, members are again, despite the elimination of the fair category, being given books to read which are below the high standard most of us willingly give our time and acquired expertise to maintain. It only takes a couple of frustrating reading experiences for a member to write Bookshare off as an unreliable source of reading material and I think we shouldn't underestimate the damage the resulting word-of-mouth criticism does to Bookshare's reputation.The purpose of proofreaders is to catch the errors which submittors miss. A proofreader who runs a routine spell check and copyright check is bound to overlook errors which will be all to obvious to subsequent readers. Submittors like you, Bud, trust when you put a book on the check out page, that the volunteer who checks out your book will take as much pride in their proofreading as you do in your scanning.A few weeks ago I checked out a book by Avi, a book for middle school age children, which was missing many page breaks and had had extra hard returns on at least 95 percent of the lines. Some other scanning errors had also been left uncorrected. It was put back on the check out page after being checked in by a proofreader who would have to have noticed these mistakes on practically every line, in just a few minutes of examining the file. It took a couple of weeks for me to get a copy of the book and to fix what needed fixing, but I'm a fan of Avi and I was horrified at the thought of a kid getting such a good book in such sorry condition.Another important point in my mind is the fact that we're watching the check out page dwindle without knowing the cause. We're speculating because we're concerned and because proofreaders' source of workable files is drying up. Are their fewer submissions? Are a small number of manic proofreaders who are ignoring the reading implicit in the word proofread turning books around in the time it takes to fill out the check in form? Is the staff proofreading books from the check-in form? Why has the number of books on the check in page dropped an average of 100 books a month. At that rate the page will be empty soon and May first will truly be a May Day for dedicated proofreaders. Is there a future for Proofreaders at Bookshare?Pavi, Carrie, Anyone on staff would ask you personally, but the answers I seek are not just for myself. I believe concern and anxiety are running high in this segment of the volunteer community. Please catch us up... fill us in. Solid information would serve us far better than our continued hypothesizing.Always with love, Lissi----- Original Message ----- From: "Bud Schwab" <budschwab@xxxxxxxxxxx>To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Saturday, March 21, 2009 11:22 PM Subject: [bksvol-discuss] proofreading dilemmaHi guys,I was out this afternoon and when I got home I had 95 emails, mostly dealing with the shoddy proofreading. Maybe my thoughts are too simple, but why doesn't Bookshare have the authority to just dump those people who aren't really putting their heart in their work? I don't think a slap on the wrist is going to do anything. After all the hard work I put into scanning and cleaning up a book I resent it when it gets just a short checking and returned as proofread.Just my thoughts. Bud Schwab W 6 Z Y P Malibu, California To unsubscribe from this list send a blank Email to bksvol-discuss-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxput the word 'unsubscribe' by itself in the subject line. To get a list of available commands, put the word 'help' by itself in the subject line.To unsubscribe from this list send a blank Email to bksvol-discuss-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxxput the word 'unsubscribe' by itself in the subject line. To get a list of available commands, put the word 'help' by itself in the subject line.
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