Conference Session 103

Can the new book economy guarantee freedom of access to information?

CLM with FAIFE

Congress track 2: Policy, strategy and advocacy.

15 August 2011 13:45 - 15:45 | Room: Grand Salon A | SI

The age of the e-book is well and truly upon us. More and more library users own e-readers and are beginning to demand lending services that suit them. At the same time, several major publishing houses are reluctant to enter the e-book lending market, while others have imposed restrictive terms that cause library and information professionals to be concerned about user privacy, purchasing power and the future of the public library as a public access intermediary that can lend reading materials in the digital age. Will the models being developed for e-lending enable libraries to continue to fulfil their traditional role in the community, or will publishers develop new models that will circumvent the public library forever? How can library professionals influence the development of licensing and contract models? Can user expectations about freedom of expression and privacy be met in this new environment?

The session will focus more on discussion of the issues than paper presentations. Following an opening summary of the topic, a chaired discussion will begin that gradually brings more participants to the stage. Participants include FAIFE and CLM Committee members, representatives from the publishing industry, authors, e-book experts and collecting societies.