[Libs-Or] FW: American Library Association tackles new challenges in the e-environment

[Diedre Conkling]

I have been trying to send messages to libs-or the last couple of days with
little success.  So, I am using another email address for the time being and
hope that I can clog up your email again. ;-)

I thought this was appropriate to send regarding the current ebook
discussion.

 American Library Association tackles new challenges in the e-environment
March 08, 2011 ( No
Comments<http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=5749#comments>)

Recent action from the publishing world in the e-book marketplace has
re-ignited interest and sparked many questions from librarians, publishers,
vendors, and readers. Two ALA member task forces – the presidential task
force on Equitable Access to Electronic Content (EQUACC) and the E-book Task
Force – were recently created to address these complex and evolving issues.
EQUACC met this week in Washington, D.C., to provide ALA with guidance and
recommendations for a coordinated ALA response to the challenging issues.

In light of recent publisher changes affecting libraries’ ability to provide
e-books to the public (e.g., restricting lending of e-books to a limited
number of circulations) and the refusal of some publishers to sell e-content
to libraries entirely, the task force will:

   - Work to establish meetings between ALA leadership and publisher and
   author associations to discuss model lending and purchase options for
   libraries.
   - Establish mechanisms for interactive and ongoing communication for ALA
   members to voice concerns and pose questions to ALA leadership.
   - Establish communication and solicit input with other ALA member
   divisions and units, including the Office for Intellectual Freedom.

 In addition to the above, the task force recommends that ALA pursue the
following:

   - Conduct an environmental scan to understand the current landscape and
   project future scenarios.
   - Work with appropriate partners within and outside of ALA to improve
   access to electronic information for all, with a particular focus on people
   with disabilities.
   - Identify and support new and emerging model projects for delivering
   e-content to the public.
   - Develop a national public relations and education campaign highlighting
   the importance of libraries as essential access points for electronic
   content.

ALA members and the public can communicate with ALA on these issues through
a new website dedicated to the challenges and potential solutions in
libraries for improved access to electronic content.  This site will be live
within 10 days, and the URL to be announced at launch. These efforts reflect
on libraries’ long-standing principles on equitable access to information,
reader privacy, intellectual freedom, and the lawful right of libraries to
purchase and lend materials to the public.

ALA calls upon all stakeholders to join us in crafting 21st century
solutions that will ensure equitable access to information for all.
http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=5749

-- 

*Diedre Conkling**
Lincoln County Library District
P.O. Box 2027
Newport, OR 97365
Phone & Fax: 541-265-3066
Work email**: **diedre at lincolncolibrarydist.org*<diedre at lincolncolibrarydist.org>
*
Home email: **diedre08 at gmail.com* <diedre08 at gmail.com>
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