This OIG report found that over 143,000 requests were made from 2003-2005, and the number of NSLs is higher, because a request may include more than one NSL. The OIG found a lot of problems with the way these were handled, so ... yes, there are a lot of unchallenged improper NSLs out there. Good for Brewster Kahle and others who stand up to this abuse of power.

I'm not against monetizing creativity. I just don't much enjoy it, as a reader or a writer (which may be why I work in a library, not a bookstore). And yes, I do know the self-published, self-promoted path to fame and fortune is BS. I just find it sad when traditionally published people feel they ought to spend way more than the book will ever make trying to be famous. I like books. Authors, I'm not so sure about :o)

By the way, I very, very rarely buy a book without first reading a chapter or two, either online or in a store. I think it's idiotic to not provide a free chapters.

Writers are often motivated by two different, conflicting urges. One is to tell stories, and have them read or heard. It's pretty obvious from the rise in self-published books, blogs, websites, etc. that the urge to be creative is strong, and not just express yourself but find an audience other than one's drawer.

Another is to become famous and/or make lots of money. This urge (also common and very strong in our celebrity- and money-obsessed world) means you can't just tell stories, you have to sell them and/or yourself. Most likely both.

The trouble is, these urges often coexist in the same writer, setting up enormous cognitive dissonance. Why should I work so hard and then give my story away? Oh, that way I may get more people to listen to it. But oh, if they don't pay they're evil pirates, right? I read about that in the paper. But if I don't have a fan base, nobody will buy my stuff and I won't be rich and famous. So I'll spend all my money traveling around the country, giving my book away in contests, and making book trailers to build an audience - and even though I'm spending far more than I'm earning from selling books I may just turn into Dan Brown and someday be rich and famous. But oh, everyone else is doing it too, so I have to spend more money to make a better book trailer.

I'm not sure what the answer is, but maybe it's important to recognize that these impulses don't coexist naturally. But then, I'm an anarchist and don't enjoy the monetization of creativity.

Washing dishes is honest work.