Digital access, particularly in the public sector (libraries, schools, universities, hospitals and other publicly funded institutions), has been unsustainable for years. But the pandemic made clear how much libraries in particular are struggling to meet the needs of their patrons in an increasingly uneven information landscape. Significant collections legally purchased or acquired by libraries are […]
Digital access, particularly in the public sector (libraries, schools, universities, hospitals and other publicly funded institutions), has been unsustainable for years. But the pandemic made clear how much libraries in particular are struggling to meet the needs of their patrons in an increasingly uneven information landscape.
Significant collections legally purchased or acquired by libraries are now inaccessible, unaffordable, or subject to unscrupulous license terms that make it impossible for libraries to purchase materials to loan and preserve.
Market dominance by a small band of publishers and distributors has led to outrageously high costs for digital resources, which libraries are forced to license rather than own as they would print resources.
