"EBLIDA's
mission is lobbying for libraries to strengthen the position of libraries in
society in Europe ."
The right to
E-read Campaign is seeking to raise awareness about the
obstacles faced by libraries in the digital environment.
Access to digital content has
become a sensitive issue in which libraries, their staff and users have a core
role to play.
In the recent Public consultation
on EU Copyright rules, EBLIDA calls for copyright legislation to keep up
with changes brought about by the digital age and to open up new opportunities
rather than limit innovation and access to information. Under copyright issues
lie fundamental questions about democracy, access to information and completion
of a true knowledge society.
The ”right to e-read” campaign aims
at raising awareness among librarians, politicians and users and advocating for
rights in claiming that:
·
We want to provide
our library users with the latest e-books as we do with printed books!
·
We want to buy e-books
at fair prices and on reasonable terms!
·
We want authors to
receive fair payment for the lending of e-books as they do for printed books by
extending Public Lending Right to include the loan of e-books by public
libraries!
·We want all citizens
– not just those who can afford it – to benefit from free access to e-books in
public libraries!
The campaign sees European
library associations and institutions united in demanding the provision of
e-books by libraries all over Europe and calls on the EU Commission for a clear
copyright law that enables libraries to fulfill their enduring mission into the
21st century of providing all EU citizens with access to the riches of human
knowledge and imagination whether in the library, offsite or online.
A campaign poster with a logo and
slogans were therefore developed by the
E-books Task Force
headed by
Gerald Leitner. The slogan has already been translated
into
18 languages (and counting).
The campaign is gaining momentum
and planning to launch a “right to e-read” day on 23rd of April, the
World Book and Copyright Day,
which will be an ideal opportunity to hold press conferences in the capital
cities in all participating countries. EBLIDA will organise a
press
conference in Brussels on "The right to e-read". Do you plan to
organise one in your country? Please let us know at
e-read@eblida.org so that we can
coordinate and consult with you.
We look forward to your participation!
EBLIDA - European Bureau of
Library, Information and Documentation Associations
National
Library of the Netherlands
Prins Willem-Alexanderhof 5
2595 BE The Hague
The Netherlands
