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Absolutely! Only last Friday I wrote to the list as follows in reference to the Culture Media and Sport Committee Inquiry into public library closures (they have asked for views on the library in the 21st century): "If they [CMS Committee] really are intent on talking libraries the 21st century they have to address the electronic age - e-books and beyond; the democratic access to the published word and idea. The book may be a commercial product but the ideas.? At present publishers have the whip hand on the exchange of thought. That is not right. . and this is not living in the past or denying reality; quite the opposite. It's not just budget cuts; it's not just library closures. There are fundamental issues here about the substantial core purpose of a public library and its value in a democratic society. It will require an economic solution, but it's a political, social and cultural question" The clue is in the title; the future of the public library is a cross-Government issue - Culture, Media, Communities, Citizenship and Local Government, Business, Industry and so on. Some have suggested on this list that it's unrealistic for librarians to canvas for the free loan of e-books. That's not the point; print books aren't "free"; they are bought from the public purse in the interest of citizens' access to ideas and information. It's essential that we open a debate about the restrictions that the commercial sector is placing on public access to information and learning through the public library. There is no other place. John John Dolan OBE E. <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] Tw. @johnrdolan T. 0121 476 4258 M. 07508 204200 _____ From: lis-pub-libs: UK Public Libraries [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of National Acquisitions Group Sent: 28 November 2011 12:03 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: The e-book calamity, extract from an American blog People may already have seen this, but it makes a point which I don't think I've seen in quite the same terms in the UK debate - that "publishers' withholding titles from library lending was de facto creating public policy on access to information." http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/PWxyz/?p=8109 Judith Judith Rhodes Administrator National Acquisitions Group 12 -14 King Street Wakefield West Yorkshire WF1 2SQ 01924 383010 07587 133012 <mailto:[log in to unmask]> [log in to unmask] <http://www.nag.org.uk/> www.nag.org.uk