IFLA has joined with partners from the library, archive, museum and wider cultural community in endorsing the Four Digital Rights for Memory Institutions. These set out something that arguably should be obvious: that libraries need to be able to fulfil their missions in a digital age.

Originally signed by participants at a set of workshops in Aruba, including the National Library of Aruba, the Rights come from growing concerns about how far libraries are able to carry out core functions such as building, preserving and giving access to collections in a digital age.

With a shift away from analogue materials, protections in copyright law (including exceptions and limitations) have become less relevant, with the ability to negotiate favourable terms in licensing contracts taking over, if materials are available to libraries at all.

Yet this shift has happened gradually and quietly, with representatives of copyright industries quick to tell governments that markets are working well, at least from their perspective. As a result, we have seen too little action from lawmakers to reinstate the balance that made it possible, historically, to have both vibrant creative sectors and empowered libraries able to ensure equitable access, today and tomorrow.

The Four Rights therefore arguably do not represent anything new, but rather a return to the balance that once existed in copyright laws, without prejudice of course to other areas of law and good practice, such as privacy and the rights of Indigenous communities. They also align with IFLA’s existing statements, not least our Core Principles for Libraries and Copyright.

The Rights are:

1. To collect materials in digital form, whether through digitization of physical collections, or through purchase on the open market or by other legal means.

2. To preserve digital materials, and where necessary repair, back up, or reformat them, to ensure their long-term existence and availability.

3. To provide controlled access to digital materials for advanced research techniques and to patrons where they are—online.

4. To cooperate with other memory institutions by sharing or transferring digital collections, so as to aid preservation and access.

We encourage other institutions and associations to sign on (see the details on this page), to explore possibilities to work with partners around these, and to reflect on how these can support you in your advocacy.