NEWS Ebook policy and legislation report
A NEW report into how ebook policy and legislation can be improved to unlock innovation is due to be released later this month.
Unlocking ebooks for innovation and growth will highlight the challenges faced by users wanting fair access to ebooks and the infor- mation they contain. Issues over how data can be accessed and used through restrictive licensing practices, alongside prohibitive pricing deals are often cited as reasons why ebooks are not reaching their full potential as drivers of growth. The report reviews the positive return on investment (ROI) both economically and socially found by academic studies for all types of libraries. It then looks to evidence how ebooks are changing the ownership models and cost structure that our libraries face and con- siders how these impacts are affecting both the economics of libraries and their capacity to achieve their economic, social, and educational roles for scientific researchers, academics, medical clinicians and their communities. The research has been funded by campaign group Knowledge Rights 21 and has been led by CILIP in partnership with Inflect, a public affairs consultancy. The aim of the report is to provide evidence to support a series of recommendations to ensure a more equitable model for ebook acquisition and lending is adopted in the UK. Yvonne Morris led the work for CILIP and says: “Growth is a
pressing concern for this government, with much of last year’s budget dependent on achieving an economic upturn. We believe that innovation can and should be a driver of that growth, but it is being held back by prohibitive ebook licences and deals. “Unlocking ebooks for innovation and growth is an important
ask for Government and the industry as a whole. The impact of more equitable access to ebooks will be felt across many sectors, helping to ensure economic growth can fuel a more prosperous and fairer society.” The Report is the first step in the project, which will look to garner widespread support for change – both politically and across the sec- tor. Knowledge Rights 21 has already built a broad coalition support- ing reform, and the report and recommendations will help to raise awareness and provide a sustainable alternative model for ebooks. The report will be officially launched at a Parliamentary roundta-
ble event on February 26. You can stay up to date with the project at
www.cilip.org.uk/page/unlocking-ebooks
l As the only UK organisation that leads on behalf of all types of libraries, CILIP partners with a wide range of organisations and funders to generate research and interest, and to develop the sec- tor. Find out more about our current projects here:
www.cilip.org. uk/RD
Spring 2025
INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 9
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