Knowledge Rights 21 Programme Endorses Library Futures Principles
The Knowledge Rights 21 Programme, in focusing on promoting 21st century access to education, research and culture, works to address the increasingly obvious disconnect between the possibilities created by digital technologies, and the restrictions imposed by outdated copyright laws in Europe.
Through this, it contributes to global efforts to ensure a better deal for libraries and the people who rely on them.
The Library Futures initiative, created in the United States in 2020, shares a similar vision, calling for a comprehensive reconsideration of legal frameworks and practices in order to protect the rights of users in a digital age.
It focuses in particular on achieving progress in areas related to copyright, including in supporting the concept of controlled digital lending, promoting fairer terms for access to eBooks, and ensuring that library and information workers do not need to face unnecessary uncertainty in working with in-copyright materials.
As such, the Knowledge Rights 21 Programme is therefore very happy to endorse the Principles established by Library Futures, and which have already gained the approval of other key players in the effort to bring about improved copyright laws.
These set out a belief in enabling digital access to content, supporting the right to lend, ensuring that libraries can own digital content, promoting equitable access, protecting privacy, and support for creators.
With strong synergies between initiatives such as Knowledge Rights 21 and Library Futures, dedicated to strengthening the case for better laws for libraries and users, we look forward to cooperating closely as our work advances.
