[Pal-dc] Draft Statement on Principles on Public Access in Libraries for IGF 2015

[Christina de Castell]

Hello everyone,

Thank you to all those who have contributed ideas for our draft statement. I've provided a revised version below that incorporates new language based on your contributions. I will send this to the Secretariat to be uploaded for public access in a few hours. Please let me know if you would like any further revisions or additions before I send it. You can review the tracked changes via the Google doc: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_WWY8os03WXKmEkFveXuUEZ_ukImmys7G5Oa2OdZJVI/edit?usp=sharing

In summary: article 19 is added at the top, a second sentence is added to paragraph 2 to reinforce the role of access to information, a new third paragraph is added to articulate the role of government, and a new principle "open access content" is added.

I look forward to hearing any further feedback and our continued work on the principles.

Principles on Public Access in Libraries

Introduction:
The Universal Declaration on Human Rights, Article 19, states: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers."

The UN post-2015 development agenda recognizes that access to information is crucial. Access to information empowers people to exercise their political and socio-economic rights, to be economically active, to learn new skills and to hold their governments to account. It enables informed decision-making, supports creativity and innovation, strengthens identity and provides transparency. While the number of Internet users worldwide now exceeds two billion, a significant percentage do not have their own network connection. Hundreds of millions of people use the Internet through shared connections and through providers of public access such as libraries.

Achieving access to information requires more than investment in technology infrastructure. It requires a policy environment that supports governments in publishing information online and ensuring it is accessible, that ensures individuals have the ability to find and use information provided via the Internet, and that communities have the capacity and incentives to publish local content online.

Public libraries are trusted, safe institutions that already exist in many developing countries. They are funded by the taxpayer and embedded in government infrastructure. They partner with civil society, with entrepreneurs and with the private sector. They include skilled and qualified library staff who offer the public support on technology and training on information and media literacy. Libraries provide an avenue to achieve ubiquitous public access to the Internet and to ensure that people have the skills they need to access information through technology.

Principles
Libraries have a role in national development through providing access to information. The members of the Dynamic Coalition on Public Access in Libraries assert the following principles:

Infrastructure: Libraries should be recognized as a vehicle to ensure universal access to the Internet. Libraries should be used to initiate universal and affordable infrastructure in developing countries and under-served communities.

Policy: Policies and legislation should create an enabling environment for universal access to information by supporting the role of public libraries in providing public access to ICTs, Internet connectivity and technology training.

Copyright: National and international copyright frameworks should balance the public interest in accessing information with the rights of authors, artists, and publishers by ensuring provisions for libraries and archives to provide public access to the world's knowledge in all formats.

Accessibility: All people, irrespective of gender, race or ethnicity, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, children and youth, should have access to information through ICTs and the skills needed to participate fully in society.

Privacy: Individuals have the right to privacy when they seek information using the Internet. Internet users in public venues such as libraries must not be subject to surveillance of their activities.

Skills development: Libraries should be supported in their role of offering training and skills development in using technology, so that people can access the information and services that they need.

Open access content: Through providing technology and Internet access, libraries offer access to free online content that supports education and development, complementing access to commercial content through online subscription resources.

Local content: Through providing technology and offering support, libraries have the capacity to promote and enable the creation of local content and to ensure its preservation. Libraries should be supported in using and facilitating access to open data and open access solutions and libraries' role in providing access to government information and services should be recognized.


Christina de Castell
Manager, Policy & Advocacy
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
Prins Willem-Alexanderhof 5
2595 BE The Hague, Netherlands

christina.de.castell at ifla.org<mailto:christina.de.castell at ifla.org>
+31-70-3140884

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