This year’s virtual Library Leaders Forum focuses on empowering libraries and the communities they serve through digital lending. The first session sparked important discussions around the role of libraries in providing free and equal access to knowledge in a democratic society.
Moderator and Internet up the urgency and relevance of the issue
Our country is struggling to find a common set special database of facts. The truth often lives behind paywalls while misinformation and disinformation go viral. Equal access to information is foundational to our democratic society and it’s part of why libraries exist.” Panelists discussed how digital lending can act as a key tool in providing equal access to information, the threats it is currently facing from certain publishing practices, and potential solutions such as copyright law reform and increased arts funding. You can read a recap of the discussion or watch the full recording.
In addition to the panel discussion, the session involved two exciting announcements
First, the power of digitization for a bethel college family favorite gourmet democratizing access to important texts was demonstrated with the digital release to the public of a rare oration by Frederik Douglass, an influential text in the history of anti-slavery movements. Second, we were pleased to announce that Michelle Wu will receive the taiwan lists Internet Archive Hero Award on October 20 for her pioneering work on controlled digital lending. The practice has been key in the response of libraries to ockdowns, enabling them to continue providing digital access to learning throughout the pandemic for those who need it most.
Our next session on October 13 will build
On these announcements and the first session’s. Discussion points by exploring the community. Of practice that has emerged around controlled. Digital lending. We’ll hear from librarians, educators, and. Technologists who are developing next-generation. Library tools that incorporate. And build upon the practice. We’ll also learn. More about how internet archive’s controlled digital. Lending environment works in practice, with. Demonstrations from our engineering team.