Storytimes are a central pillar of many libraries’ work to promote literacy, reading development, and engagement with young children and families in the communities they serve. During and since COVID-19 related closures, storytimes – along with other library services – have been increasingly offered online. However, libraries have not always… Read More
On 23 November 2019, UNESCO adopted a recommendation on Open Educational Resources (OER). This marks the culmination of a long effort to which IFLA has contributed from the perspective of libraries. It is with a great enthusiasm that IFLA welcomes this consensus of UNESCO's Member States. Read More
ELending is becoming increasingly important and is already well-established in many countries. While jurisdictions approach the lending of eBooks and other digital material in many different ways, licensing is often part of the equation. And with that, challenges arise for the library sector. Read More
The first major reform of Europe’s copyright system in almost 20 years aims to update the law for the digital age. In addition to affecting libraries and library users across Europe, it also sets an example for others, and could affect libaries elsewhere directly. The European Union… Read More
The IFLA background paper on extended collective licensing presents examples of extended collective licensing systems under several jurisdictions. Reports from Canada, China, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Norway and Sweden provide an overview the circumstances that appear to be needed for extended collective licensing… Read More
Extended collective licensing (ECL) is promoted by some as a solution for libraries looking to obtain rights for use large quantities of books or other materials. But does it deliver? A new IFLA background report explores the characteristics of effective schemes, and suggests some lessons for others considering its introduction. Read More
Release of the “Literature review on the use of licensing in the library context, and the limitations this creates to access to knowledge” Read More
IFLA commissed a review of the available literature on the limits of licensing as a means of giving access to knowledge, in order better to understand the feasibility of universal licensing based solutions. The result draws on surveys, academic and grey literature in order to establish a complete picture… Read More
Alongside the Literature Review on the Limits of Licensing, IFLA has produced an executive summary. This is available to download as a pdf. Read More
Peer review submission deadline: 16 May 2016 Read More