A Canadian Legislator Takes Interest and U.S. Efforts Seem to be Ramping Up

RF Working Group Member Susan Caron shares Radio Canada International’s report “Libraries and publishers on a different page over e-books and audiobooks” by Marc Montgomery.

Of particular interest is that a legislator is callng upon the Canadian government to investigate:

“This week a federal Member of Parliament in northern Ontario, Charlie Angus of Timmins-James Bay, called on the federal government to look into the issue, writing to the Heritage Minister to seek fairer access rights. Last month Timmins city council passed a motion urging the federal government to assist municipal libraries in regard to the issue.

While understanding the need to support Canadian publishers and compensate authors, libraries say they’re not looking for handouts, but rather a more equitable balance for the producers and for access by citizens.”

Thank you, Mr. Angus, for your efforts! RF, and especially our Canadian members, wish you success.

Meanwhile in the USA, rumor has it that the ALA may be forming a group to share and coordinate legal and legislative efforts at the state level to address access restrictions on content by the Big 5 and Amazon. Librarians in several states have apparently begun to involve their legislatures or employ legal counsel. More details as they emerge!