Last year, a panel of experts has worked with William Sieghart to review recommendations for public libraries lending e-materials. The report is specifically for public library lending in the UK and reflects that in its recommendations. Like the report though, I believe that libraries in the US need to keep an eye on what is happening elsewhere in the world.
The full report as well as the government response are available online. The recommendations are a rather mixed bag for libraries. Some point to the need to be free and accessible while others continue to force physical limits on digital copies.
Here are the recommendations of the report:
1. Lending of digital materials by libraries should be provided free of charge and this lending should be an essential part of library service.
2. Library users should be able to borrow digital materials remotely without having to visit the library.
3. Each copy of a digital item should only be loaned to one reader at a time.
4. Digital copies should be deemed to deteriorate just like their physical counterparts.
5. The final recommendation is entirely UK focused: Public Lending Right should be extended to cover digital materials and provide compensation to authors just like physical items.
