Blockchain Is Already Here. What Does That Mean for Records Management and Archives?
Bhatia, S., & Wright de Hernandez, A. D. (2019). Journal of Archival Organization, 16(1), 75-84
From the abstract: An overview of blockchain or distributed ledger technology for archivists and records managers. It is necessary for both to become familiar with the basics of the technology, along with its benefits and shortcomings, in order to make informed decisions regarding blockchain systems and/or their use in managing record authenticity.
Off the Chain: Blockchain Technology—An Information Organization System
Dolan, L., Kavanaugh, B., Korinek, K., & Sandler, B. (2019). Technical Services Quarterly, 36(3), 281-295.
From the abstract: Blockchain is currently being used across several industries due to its unique features: tamper-proof records, authenticity, transparency, and elimination of third-party brokers. These features offer potential for applications in libraries, archives, and museums as well.
From the abstract: Offers an update on the current and future uses of blockchain in LIS contexts. The authors present recommendations from their IMLS‐funded project, research outcomes from the University of British Columbia's Records in the Chain Project, and the outcomes of a recently completed project (Project Novum) that focused on the organizational and structural issues in visual arts and financial services.
From the abstract: Proposes a decentralized publication system that would provide (1) a distributed reviewer reputation system, (2) an open access by-design infrastructure, and (3) transparent governance processes. Authors discuss what implementation might look like in addition to challenges.
From the abstract: Observations and findings from tests and a pilot implementation of a decentralized loan system in Chile are shared. Vera Lobos and Lagos Lagos foresee integration with library management systems (ILS), use in a range of LIS settings, and continued progress toward universal library credentials.
Blockchains, Sealing Wax, and Disruptive Technologies
Hammond, R. (2018). Online Searcher, 42(1), 10-17.
A quick overview of how blockchain works, how it is being and might be used, and some of the strengths and weaknesses of the technology. Features newcomer-friendly explanations for technical terms and concepts.
Looks at some of the opportunities blockchain technology could make possible for libraries, including: reimagined and streamlined metadata services, community-based collections, and blockchain service provision for municipalities.
Blockchain Recordkeeping: A SWOT AnalysisDescribes the promises, perils, and future of blockchain in a way that should be familiar and helpful to information professionals who provide technology advice to their organizations.
What is Blockchain for Research?
Treadway, J., & van Rossum, J. (2018). Research Information, 94, 12-13.
Sums up a recent Digital Science report on the potential impact blockchain could have on scholarly communication and research.
Library & Information Science Source
Combines LISTA and Library Literature & Information Science Fulltext along with an additional 75 titles.
Library and Information Science Collection
Searches only about 50 peer-reviewed journals but includes some important titles.
Academic Search Complete
Includes articles from a wide variety of disciplines.
Emerald Insight
Contains 30+ library science journals and is good for library management, collection management, and reference.
A Very Brief History of Blockchain Technology Everyone Should Read
by Bernard Marr | Forbes
Blockchain’s story in a nutshell. Covers beginnings, some recent developments, and the directions the technology is moving in.
Demystifying the Blockchain: A Basic User Guide
by Philippa Ryan | The Conversation
A “tech-free” explanation written in Q&A style. Ryan often thinks in terms of digital currency but does touch on other possible applications.
Blockchain Explained: A Visual Guide
by Maryanne Murray | Reuters
Another quality introduction to blockchain technology that employs animations and graphics to help make concepts stick. Includes a brief look at future uses.
How Does Blockchain Work in 7 Steps — A Clear and Simple Explanation
by Jimi S. | Good Audience
Chains, hashes, immutability, and more are covered in this simple walk-through of the technology, its parts, and their functions.
Blockchain Reaction: How Library Professionals Are Approaching Blockchain Technology and Its Potential Impact
by Carrie Smith | American Libraries
Five information professionals discuss what library workers should know about blockchain, how libraries might improve their patrons’ understanding of it, and what impacts the technology could have on libraries themselves. Glossary of terms accompanies.
Decentralization & Blockchain: Possibilities & Problematizations for Libraries
by Jason Griffey | YouTube
Lecture from a series on librarianship in the 21st century delivered at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar. Griffey considers the value blockchain could bring to information management and library services as well as potential obstacles to implementation.
Blockchain 3.0 or Web 3.No?
by Debbie Ginsberg | AALL Spectrum
Offers a look at what the technology could mean for legal professionals, law libraries, governments, and educational institutions.
Does Blockchain Have A Place In Museums?
by Natalie Lemle | Culture Track
Explains how a decentralized ledger system could be used to increase security in transporting objects between institutions, track donations and their impact, and determine an object’s provenance.
UK National Archives to Test Blockchain Tech for Official Record Keeping
by Lester Coleman | CryptoCoinsNews
The National Archives — official record-keeper and publisher for the UK government and for England and Wales — is now using blockchain as a way to verify the accuracy of documents.
Why Blockchain Is Hard
by Jimmy Song | Medium
What blockchain is and is not. Song cuts through common misconceptions and hype surrounding the technology before turning attention to challenges that have slowed development and the speed of adoption.
Quantum Supremacy Doesn’t Mean Blockchain Is Doomed
by Sean Stein Smith | American Institute for Economic Research
Responding to recent reports of progress in quantum computing, Smith, a visiting Research Fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research, argues that these advances do not spell blockchain’s doom and that they will ultimately strengthen the technology.
Stanford Center for Blockchain Research
The Stanford Center for Blockchain Research site organizes and shares syllabi from pertinent on-campus courses, MOOCs, conference information, and blockchain-related news.
Blockgeeks
Blockgeeks is an educational platform offering discussion boards, guides, and asynchronous courses in blockchain development and the technology’s intersections with law and business.
Blockchain News
A news service specializing in blockchain technologies, cryptocurrencies, and the culture and personalities surrounding both.
The following selection of videos might help provide a better foundational understanding of blockchain, some of its key features, and its possible impact.
Understand the Blockchain in Two Minutes
by Institute for the Future
Asymmetric Encryption
by Simply Explained
Public Key Cryptography - Diffie-Hellman Key Exchange
by Art of the Problem
Smart Contracts
by Simply Explained
Blockchains: How Can They Be Used?
by Simply Explained
Why Blockchain Matters More Than You Think!
by ColdFusion
The five platforms below represent some of the most common open-source avenues through which individuals and organizations are experimenting with and utilizing the blockchain technology.
BigChainDB
https://www.bigchaindb.com
Corda
https://www.corda.net
Ethereum
https://ethereum.org
Hyperledger
https://www.hyperledger.org
Openchain
https://www.openchain.org
Rohas Nagpal has profiled each of these and several others at Medium.com.