IFLA supports Open Access movement

PRESS RELEASE
24 February 2004
IFLA HQ
The Hague, Netherlands

The IFLA Governing Board has adopted a statement on 'Open access to Scholarly Literature and Research documentation'

Welcoming the IFLA statement, President-elect Alex Byrne noted IFLA's long commitment to open access to information, especially its concern for access to scholarly literature in the developing world.

He said: "IFLA recognises that achieving affordable, global access to scholarly information and research documentation will require a great deal of commitment and a variety of strategies. IFLA strongly supports the Open Access movement and welcomes the launch of many OA compliant publications. IFLA also acknowledges the need to address the challenge on a number of fronts and in partnership with many stakeholders."

One of the principal concerns identified by Alex Byrne was to support and defend the moral rights of creators, while simultaneously seeking balance in copyright legislation to protect and extend the public domain and public interest in access to information. "This is fundamental to many areas including health, education, development and culture", he added.

- ENDS -

Further information:

Alex Byrne

IFLA President-elect
University Librarian & Deputy Chair of Academic Board
University of Technology, Sydney
PO.Box 123, BROADWAY 2007, Australia
Tel +61 2 9514 3332; Fax +61 2 9514 3331
Email: alex.byrne@uts.edu.au

Mr Ross Shimmon

Secretary General, International Federations of Library Associations and Institutions
The Hague, Netherlands.
Tel: +31 70 3140884; Fax: +31 70 3834827
Email: ross.shimmon@ifla.org

Latest Revision: February 24, 2004