1. IFLA meeting notes Naples meeting, Den Haag, May 11th 2016
// Mikkel Christoffersen
Project manager, eReolen

2. Details
Venue: Den Haag Date: February 29th 2016 Host: IFLA Topics: Updates, negotiations, platforms, reading promotion Present: Canada, England, The Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Finland, Spain (Skype)
Emerging topics:
Content creation and self- or independent publishing
Relationships with publishers and its results
User behavior
How to collaborate and share knowledge and best practice among countries

3. Examples of issues Availability
Some have fine availability, while some are struggling to get titles. Not surprisingly, the new and popular titles are the most contentious.
The lack of availability adds to the rather low percentage of e-book loans compared to traditional loans
User behavior
Some countries show continuing uptake, while others have stalled.
Some countries seem to show a lack of enthusiasm for buying to own digital content
Streaming services have set up shop in many countries
Users use library platforms to loan different things

4. IFLA e-lending priciples
1. A library must have the right to license and/or purchase any commercially available eBook without embargo [and governments should ensure access to any title under reasonable T&C] Problem: Dictated “reasonable” terms may be harmful!
2. A library must have access to eBooks under reasonable terms and conditions and at a fair price [and terms should be transparent] Problem: Difficult to define and varies from country to country. Also, should the transparency extend to users and authors too?

5. IFLA e-lending priciples
3. eBook licensing/purchase options must respect copyright limitations and exceptions available to libraries and their users in national law
Problem: Starting over with “products” rather than “service” may nullify gains won.
4. eBooks available to libraries should be platform neutral and developed with standards for accessibility. Problem: None really

6. IFLA e-lending priciples
5. Strategies must be in place to ensure the long term preservation of eBook titles by libraries. Problem: The status and evolution of digital legal deposit. Much more information is needed.
6. eBook services must protect the privacy of library users. Problem: Should users also be safe from the library? ;)

7. The way forward
We agree we need to collaborate closer, because publishers certainly do
There are more e- lending solutions in Europe than there are countries
EBLIDA’s task force on e-books is no more
IFLA’s e-lending expert group is not terribly active
What is a good forum?
It’s not only negotiations, terms and prices
It’s platforms, infrastructure, frotends
It’s also literature promotion, digital reading etc.