Ebook lending by public libraries - CILIP

Policy Department, September 2012
� Licensing solutions 8
In the present situation when libraries face many different licensing models there is a need to develop
agreements with publishers’ organizations on standardized licensing terms, which would enable
libraries to make available on reasonable and fair conditions to their users all works published in
electronic formats chosen by the library. EBLIDA is exploring the idea of a Memorandum of
Understanding with the Federation of European Publishers on Fair Licensing Models (see below).
� Accessible ebooks
The RNIB’s recent leaflet "Can everyone read your books?" links to guidance for libraries, publishers
and booksellers and highlights accessible ebooks: http://tinyurl.com/cdl4d8u
Next steps
� On September 26 th 2012 Culture Minister Ed Vaizey announced an independent review of ebook
lending in England. For more information see:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/news/media_releases/9365.aspx
� The Society of Chief Librarians E-Book Group, which has over 100 public library authority members,
is involved in discussions with publishers about how to develop an ebook marketplace that works
for all stakeholders.
� EBLIDA is launching an ebook campaign (http://www-legacy.eblida.org/index.php?page=e-bookscampaign)
. The campaign suggests:
o an updating of the copyright regime for ebooks, e-lending and e-content in order to enable
libraries to continue to perform their services for all European citizens
o a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federation of European Publishers on Fair
Licensing Models as part of their “ebooks campaign”
� In November 2011 The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Standing Committee on
Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR) began formal deliberations on a Treaty Proposal on
Limitations and Exceptions for Libraries and Archives (TLIB). A number of TLIB clauses if
incorporated in an international WIPO treaty have the potential to influence ebook licence
agreements. See: http://www.ifla.org/en/copyright-tlib
� The American Library Association is currently negotiating with individual publishers in an effort to
convince them to provide affordable e-books to libraries.
Further information
A longer briefing, setting out more of the legal, strategic and technical problems that arise from the
addition of both scholarly and trade ebooks to public and academic and research library collections,
together with possible solutions, is available on the CILIP website at http://tinyurl.com/cp2lmxj
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Taken from Edwards, S., and Leech, H., 2012. Library e-book lending fears – myth or reality? I http://www.goscl.com/scl-position-on-e-lendingin-libraries/library-e-book-downloading-socauth/
[accessed 20 September 2012]
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Taken from von Hielmcrone, H, 2012. IFLA E-Lending Background Paper http://www.ifla.org/files/clm/publications/ifla-background-paper-e-
lending-en.pdf [accessed 25 August 2012]
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