Background
The CULC/CBUC Digital Content Working Group was established in 2010 to advocate for access to affordable, sustainable digital content for public libraries. To date, the team has developed position statements, led media campaigns, and launched national programs to advocate for public libraries. The group works extensively with publishers, vendors, government agencies and other global partners to promote the library’s role in electronic resource use, to lobby for changes to licensing and access models, and to actively engage in pilot projects to improve public library digital media access.
Issues
Current library access models for digital content are based on restrictive licensing terms and high prices that far exceed the cost of the same content in print. This prevents libraries from building diverse digital collections that retain a broad range and depth of content over time. These challenges mean that public libraries are unable to grow digital collections without increasing budgets; for every new title licensed, another title must be allowed to expire. As public use of digital content continues its strong growth, libraries are unable to explore the full potential of digital content or offer the full breadth of it to our patrons. This disproportionately impacts low income library users who rely on the library to provide content that they cannot afford to purchase, and readers with disabilities who rely on the accessibility features available in digital content.
Terms of Reference
The Digital Content Working group is tasked with leading the Canadian public library community on issues related to digital content. The group aims to increase public awareness of these issues and advocates for public libraries around eBook and eAudiobook issues, such as content, pricing, and access.
The terms of reference include the following responsibilities:
- Share information on what is currently being done with respect to digital content (ebooks, eaudiobooks, streaming video, etc) as currently defined by the working group, with the library and information community.
- Work with partners to implement public awareness campaigns.
- Work with partners to implement federal and provincial advocacy plans. Meet with key contacts to advocate for lasting industry changes to support libraries.
- Carry out publisher and vendor negotiations related to eBook issues facing the public library and information community. Capitalize on existing collaborative relationships and work done to date.
- Provide opportunities for collaboration across the library community within Canada and internationally.
- Develops, plans, executes, and evaluates programs and projects related to digital content advocacy.
Meeting Frequency: Monthly, or at the call of the chair
Deliverables: Bi-annual report submitted to CULC/CBUC
Reports to: CULC/CBUC
Digital Content Working Group Members
- Kay Cahill, Director, IT & Collections, Vancouver Public Library (co-chair)
- Jennifer Stirling, Manager, Digital Services & Collections, Mississauga Public Library (co-chair)
- Lisa Radha Vohra, Director, Collections & Membership Services, Toronto Public Library (recording secretary)
- Sarah Macintyre, Acting Division Manager, Client Services, Ottawa Public Library
- Vicky Varga, Executive Director, Collections, Marketing & Technology, Edmonton Public Library
- Dave MacNeil, Manager, Collections & Access, Halifax Public Library
- Mélanie Dumas, Directrice de la collection de la Grande Bibliothèque chez Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec
Current Projects
Publications
- Ontario Consumer Protection Legislation Recommendations
- eContent Principles
- One eRead Canada
- #eContent for Libraries Campaign
- CULC/CBUC Vision Statement for Access to Downloadable and Portable eContent – November 2010