A Review of eLending Around the World: Updated Version of IFLA eLending Background Paper Now Online

New online today from the International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA).
From a Summary/Introduction:

In 2012, IFLA released its Background Paper on eLending, which formed the basis for the production of the IFLA Principles for Library eLending, the third revision of which was issued at the World Library & Information Congress (WLIC) in Singapore in August 2013.
Cognisant of the great changes taking place in ePublishing, and the varied eLending challenges and opportunities facing libraries in different geographical regions, the IFLA Governing Board commissioned a supplement to the eLending Background Paper in 2013 reflecting recent developments.

Topics and Issues Discussed in the Report

• In acknowledgement of the differing interpretations of what is an eBook, reflected in the vastly differing holdings and use statistics reported by libraries, definitions of “eBook” and “eLending” are proposed.

• Recent trends in the publishing and distribution of ebooks are reviewed

• Library advocacy efforts with publishers and governments are described

• Relevant court rulings on digital exhaustion governing how libraries can acquire and deploy eBooks are analysed.

Direct to Full Text Background Paper (32 pages; PDF): IFLA 2014 eLending Background Paper

Update Team

Chair of the eLending Group Paul Whitney coordinated the updating of the IFLA eLending Background Paper, together with Working Group members comprising Margaret Allen, Vincent Bonnet, Christina de Castell, Harald von Hielmcrone, Sarah Kaddu, Gerald Leitner, Ngian Lek Choh, Barbara Lison, Mary Minow, Harald Mueller, Denise Nicholson, Carrie Russell,  Amelie Vallotton, Chloe Vicente and Qiang Zhu.

Related Materials

See Also:  Background Paper on eLending (2012 ed.)
See Also: IFLA Principles for Library eLending (Revision 2, 2013)

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