Presentation by Caroline Ball: Academic Librarian, University of Derby

1. The question of
#ebookSOS: is
copyright reform the
answer?
Caroline Ball, University of Derby

2. #EBOOKSOS
Launched in summer 2020 in
response to urgent need for
digital resources during
lockdown

3. ISSUES: TECHNOLOGY
PLATFORMS
Many publishers
use own bespoke
platforms
DRM
Restricts what
users can do
(copy/download/
search)
ACCESSIBILITY
Built-in
accessibility
features often
inadequate

4. ISSUES: SALES
BUNDLING
Titles often only
available as part
of larger package
HIGH PRICES
Often x10-100
more than print
UNAVAILABILITY
Many texts
unavailable for
library purchase
IMPERMANENCE
Titles frequently
removed from
sale or
withdrawn from
packages

5. ISSUES: COPYRIGHT
LEGISLATION
Copyright
exceptions
limited
TRANSNATIONAL
EDUCATION
Student
support crosses
borders
LICENSING
SCHEMES
Not all
publishers
participate
LICENSES
Limited and
restrictive licences

6. UNEVEN
BALANCE?
Rights holders v. users and the
public interest

7. A GLOBAL ISSUE
ebookSOS newsletter has
subscribers from 15 countries
IFLA report to WIPO surveyed
114 libraries and interviewed
28 librarians from 29
countries
Library Futures International
Statement of Solidarity

8. GLOBAL SOLUTIONS
States in US introducing
legislation for fairer library
access to ebooks
EC commissioned pilot project
investigating legal/digital
solutions
South African library pushback
on proposed copyright
amendments
HathiTrust Emergency
Temporary Access

9. POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS?
INVESTIGATION
Market
investigation
LEGISLATION
Copyright reform, library
sales provisions
CDL
Controlled digital
lending
CRITICAL COLLECTION
DEVELOPMENT
Where does our
money go?
OPEN ACCESS
More investment in
Open Access texts

10. —Library Futures Foundation (LFF)
“CDL takes what libraries do well and makes them even
better. Libraries are an economic boost to communities,
and CDL maximizes that by making the lending system
more efficient and equitable. CDL also bolsters education
by supporting learning from anywhere. With CDL,
knowledge is accessible, and our sources of knowledge
reflect all experiences. Quite simply, CDL ensures that more
people have access to more books, all while respecting the
authors’ rights.”

11. CREDITS: This presentation template was
created by Slidesgo, including icons by
Flaticon and infographics & images by Freepik
THANKS!
c.ball@derby.ac.uk
@heroicendeavour
Do you have any questions?