Kyle Courtney and Juliya Ziskina, who are copyright experts, with supporting organizations Library Futures, EveryLibrary Institute, the Authors Alliance, the Connecticut Library Association, the Massachusetts Library Association, and ReadersFirst have established the Ebook Study Group. This website sets out the problem that libraries face getting fair ebook terms from large publishers, while describing library legislative efforts (including a useful bill tracker), dispelling misconceptions about the legislation, and inviting your stories.
It is a must-see for all librarians, state (and, yes, federal) legislators, and the reading public.
The site encourages every librarian and community member to take the following steps:
- Connect with state library organizations and legislative committees. Reach out to us if you need help finding contact information or making those connections.
- Take action in supporting the bills in your state. Contact your local representatives to voice your support. Start or sign a petition in support of bills in your state.
- If you do not already have an active bill in your state, contact local representatives and let them know you want to see one introduced.
- Voice your support for eBook Study Group. Contact us to have your story posted on our website!
As the site documents, libraries spend for more per title to access content in digital than for print titles from the large publishers. Current copyright law for digital takes away privileges that libraries enjoy in pint and, arguably, create an imbalance. Copyright ideally should weigh the rightsholders’ needs for compensation with the right to know and advancement of knowledge. Under current large publisher licensing terms, libraries, and library readers are seriously disadvantaged.
