Petition for The Right to E-read

The European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations (EBLIDA) has created an online petition on change.org for the right to e-read. The petition seeks to give users the right to e-read by legalizing the lending of e-books from by libraries.

Specifically, EBLIDA wants:

– To provide our library users with the latest e-books as we do printed books;
– To buy e-books at fair prices and on reasonable terms;
– All citizens – not just those who can afford it – to benefit from free access to e-books in libraries;
– Authors to receive fair remuneration for the lending of e-books to the public.

EBLIDA is calling for the EU Commission to introduce a European copyright framework that is fit for purpose and allows libraries to acquire and lend e-books with an adequate remuneration to authors and other rights holders. The petition can be signed here

The right to e-read – an e-book policy for libraries in Europe

EBLIDA released The right to e-read – an e-book policy for libraries in Europe in June 2013. This policy highlights uncertainties inherent in e-book supply for libraries, particularly:

• The lack of the exhaustion of distribution rights after first sale for digital content
• The ability of terms and conditions to limit the use of and access to digital content, and the ability of rights-holders to refuse to supply their content to classes of consumers
• The end result of publishers determining the collection building function of libraries, rather than libraries themselves, due to the application of these terms and conditions

The policy ends with a call for action:

Therefore EBLIDA hereby calls on the EU Commission for a clear copyright framework that allows libraries to acquire and lend e-books with an adequate remuneration to authors and other rights holders. Just as with printed books, an updated copyright framework should allow libraries to continue to provide their services for the benefit of all European citizens

EBLIDA E-books in libraries campaign

Launched in May 2012, EBLIDA’s E-books in libraries campaign is aimed at drawing “the attention of politicians and citizens of the European Union both to the risks and threats at stake for libraries and their patrons (therefore also to the citizens) with the current situation in the volatile market of e-books in which libraries have very few rights.”

The current campaign is designed in 3 steps:

1. Until October 2012 – Establish task force, publish Position Paper in every European language, follow up with the European Union Commission on the survey on European Libraries and e-books, begin meetings with the Federation of European Publishers
2. October 2012 to May 2013 – Follow up on meetings with Federation of European Publishers, meet with Members of the European Parliament, organise meetings in specific regional areas with local and national representatives
3. May 2013 – First set of achievements, next propositions

E-publishing and the challenges for libraries

E-publishing and the challenges for libraries – European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations. Prepared by Harald von Hielmcrone, Rosa Maiello, Toby Bainton and Vincent Bonnet in April 2012, reviewed by Vincent Bonnet, Klaus‐Peter Böttger and Gerald Leitner in July 2012.

Brief paper discussing the challenges that e-publishing presents to libraries in acquisitions and collection development, and the legal basis in which libraries acquire and use materials.

EBLIDA Key Principles on the acquisition of and access to E-books by libraries

EBLIDA Key Principles on the acquisition of and access to E-books by libraries.

6 principles about ebooks in libraries, covering acquisition, access, long term preservation, availability of metadata, pricing and privacy.

Created by EBLIDA’s Expert Group in Information Law in October 2012, and approved from EBLIDA EC and Taskforce in November 2012.

European libraries and the challenges of e-publishing

European libraries and the challenges of e-publishing, from the European Bureau of Library, Information and Documentation Associations.

Policy from EBLIDA advocating a memorandum of understanding with European publishers about fair licensing models, and and update to the copyright regime regarding ebooks and elending to allow libraries to continue to deliver services.