The document discusses the growth of eBooks and how libraries can better support eBooks moving forward. It notes that libraries need the ability to purchase eBooks without embargoes, under reasonable terms, and in a way that respects copyright limitations and exceptions. The document also addresses ensuring the long-term preservation of eBook titles and protecting user privacy as libraries take on more of a curatorial role to support a healthy creative industry beyond just bestsellers.

1. The eBook Journey: Visions
for the Future
Christina de Castell
Manager, Policy and Advocacy
March 17, 2016

2. How far we’ve come
Healthy creative industry
Libraries as curators
Technology

3. % trade
market
% fiction /
relevant segments
% specific
segments
Canada 17% 20% 50% +
US 13% 27% Up to 50%
UK 11.5% 25% 40%
Germany 4.3% 10.6% 20% +
France 1.1% 3% 20-30%
Spain 3-5% 8% Up to 15%
Italy n/a 4-5% Up to 40%
Netherlands 4.7% 10% n/a
Canadian Publishing 2015, Publishers Weekly online, September 18, 2015.
Global eBook: A report on market trends and developments: Update 2015. Rudiger Wischenbart.

4. How far we've come:
IFLA Principles 2013

5. A library must have the right to
license and/or purchase any
commercially available eBook
without embargo.
5

6. A library must have access to
eBooks under reasonable
terms and conditions and at a
fair price.
6

7. eBook licensing/purchase options must
respect copyright limitations and
exceptions available to libraries and their
users in national law, such as the right to:
copy a portion / reformat for print
disabilities reformat to preserve / copy for
another library's user / bypass TDM for
non-infringing purpose.
7

8. eBooks available to libraries
should be platform neutral and
developed with standards for
accessibility
8

9. Strategies must be in place to
ensure the long term
preservation of eBook titles by
libraries.
9

10. eBook services must protect
the privacy of library users.
10

11. What do we need
to do next?

12. Transparency for authors
healthy creative industry

13. Beyond the bestseller
healthy creative industry

14. Libraries as curators and
advisors
self-publishing

15. Does format affect
understanding?
technology

16. Questions?
christina.de.castell@ifla.org
christina.decastell@vpl.ca