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Trustee Sweet underlined how
important the eBooks issue is - not only for the library but as a customer
who is trying to download eBooks. She said that if we are going to continue
moving forward with technology, eBooks have to be accessed more readily. Trustee
Sweet proceeded by asking how Trustees can help.
Prior to staff responding to Trustee
Sweet’s question, Chair Tierney echoed how important the issue is and that
fair pricing is needed. He explained that municipalities across the country
are feeling this and that he will be raising the issue with the Federation of
Canadian Municipalities (FCM). The Ottawa Public Library is in a better
position than most other library systems as many smaller municipalities
cannot make the leap and are left purchasing the cheaper physical copy for
their shelves. He asked Monique Brûlé, Division Manager, Programs and
Services to provide a response to the earlier question.
Ms. Brûlé mentioned that a first
step is joining the fair eBook pricing campaign as well as when they meet
with elected officials, Trustees may be called upon to assist. She reiterated
that the ultimate goal of the advocacy campaign is to meet with publishers in
order to open a discussion about reasonable pricing. Ms. Brûlé asked that
Trustees tweet about the issue, stay educated, and inform their families,
colleagues, and co-workers.
Trustee Wilkinson asked whether eBooks
is a copyright issue and sought clarity with respect to the context of the proposed
motion to Council.
Ms. Brûlé
said that it is partially a copyright issue because of licensing questions as
well as fair dealings. With respect to the context of the motion, Ms. Basile
noted that a letter would be sent from the Mayor on behalf of Council with
the full context.
Trustee Wilkinson suggested that the
motion be broader so that the Department of Canadian Heritage and Industry
Canada not only investigate publishers’ restrictive practices including the
higher prices charged to public libraries as part of any upcoming statutory
review of the Copyright Act but investigate this issue immediately.
She suggested that the proposed wording was restricted to only looking at the
Copyright Act. Chair Tierney pointed out that he and staff have been
working with Impact Public Affairs, a full-service firm with experience in
government relations, public relations, and strategic communications and
would hate to jeopardize the work that has already been done. Trustee
Wilkinson agreed that authorization to make any modifications be left with
the Chair.
Vice-Chair Bergeron agreed that it
is the opportune time to ask the Department of Canadian Heritage and Industry
Canada to make eBooks an issue. He noted that it is also part of the Competition
Act.
There being no further
discussion, the report recommendation was put before the Board and was
RECEIVED, as presented.
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