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When libraries cannot acquire an eBook because a publisher refuses to license it, what does this say about our freedom to develop collections?
INSIGHT
Knowledge Rights 21 We’re standing out for all the wrong reasons W
HEN it comes to eBooks, the UK stands out for all the wrong reasons and Ben White, one
of the co-founders of Knowledge Rights 21, says it’s time for the profession to take stock and start using the same tactics as publishers.
A study comparing eBook availability in the US, UK, NZ, Canada and Australia found that in public libraries, “overall, the UK has the least attractive licence terms, the highest prices, and the lowest availability.” (
https://informationr.net/ir/24-3/
paper837.html)
The initial findings of a University of Glasgow study commissioned by Knowledge Rights 21 finds the situation in UK universities to be equally grim (final report due in December 2023). KR21 believes that the current trajectory is entirely unsustainable and we may be moving towards a situation in which a partial selection of eBooks will end up consuming all available acquisition budgets. It’s a projection already expected by 2030 for public libraries in Denmark, which has far higher eBook use and availability than here.
We believe it is time for the profession to take stock and ask ourselves some hard questions. When libraries cannot acquire an eBook because a publisher refuses to license it, what does this say about our freedom to develop collections? Similarly, how can we build sustainable collections when licences for titles may not be renewed, or in the case of bundling, a publisher simply swaps titles out without even informing us? If a library cannot acquire, develop collections, preserve, or lend an eBook (including through inter library loan) is
October-Novmber 2023
it still a library? Where a library cannot host books on its own platforms, and has little control over or knowledge of how collections are being used, are we any more than a publishing company’s paywall?
We believe that it is time not just to engage proactively with publishers, but to take a leaf out of their book and take our message to policy makers. Indeed, if we believe in the value of access to knowledge, it is our professional responsibility.
The Knowledge Rights 21 (KR21) programme, made possible by the Arcadia Fund, wants to ensure a legal environment that allows libraries to deliver on everyone’s right to knowledge. So, earlier this year alongside over 30 European library associations, KR21 launched a call to action (
https://bit.ly/400Uktn) around eBooks to ensure that libraries can continue to fulfil their centuries-old role of providing access to knowledge to the public. (A big thanks to Nick Poole from CILIP whose idea this was). In addition to the University of Glasgow research mentioned above, we also launched the eBook Pledge in July alongside the Authors Alliance and Library Futures. The Pledge (https://bit. ly/406f2bc) asks publishers to sign up to terms which enable libraries to operate like they have in the analogue world for millennia. Such terms will help make eBook markets sustainable. In addition to us writing to all Federation of European Publishers members to ask them to engage, we were delighted to see the Pledge being promoted at CILIP’s annual conference and put on the library leaders “to do” list.
Perhaps more library focussed, the next steps on the eBook Pledge front for Knowledge Rights 21 is to issue an addendum which librarians can use in
Benjamin White is one of the founders of Knowledge Rights 21 and co-chair of its policy committee.
their negotiation with publishers and vendors to push for the rights that we (and authors) need.
In conclusion, the situation libraries face around eBooks goes right to the heart of the broader question of libraries’ place in the digital information ecosystems, and so in the modern world. This should be a vital concern for leaders in public as well as university libraries.
Guaranteeing the right of libraries to acquire and lend eBooks should be a strategic priority. To accept the current situation is to accept the hollowing out of libraries’ role, and the undermining of the public interest. So if not now, when is the time for action?
Our next article will be on the exciting work we are doing with the Authors Alliance across Europe, extending its work “to advance the interests of authors who want to serve the public good by sharing their creations broadly”.
For the long read version of this article see:
https://bit.ly/3MbLenL IP
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