Libraries promoting Access to Knowledge

Access to knowledge (A2K) is essential for the functioning of a healthy and democratic society. Without a well-informed citizenry, enlightened public discussion cannot take place on political, social, environmental or economic issues. Without widespread debate, the broad consensus upon which a healthy democracy is based cannot be achieved.

It is universally acknowledged that access to knowledge is fundamental to education and research and the creation of human capital upon which the development of societies depend. This is especially true in the information society where economic progress depends on having a literate and educated population.

Libraries and education are synonymous. A library has little meaning if it cannot impart knowledge. Good education cannot exist without access to quality information resources to support teaching, learning and research.

Libraries of all types therefore are an essential building block in the information society and the starting point from which citizens can have access to information on an equal basis and in a trusted and neutral setting.

This is why libraries are a key component in the burgeoning social movement that is A2K. Since 2004, the A2K umbrella has brought together groups from a diverse range of interests, such as consumer and disability organisations, the open source software community and public health activists, united by the desire for fair access to knowledge and knowledge-based goods, especially with regard to copyright laws and other legal instruments.

Academics have embraced the ideas and deepened the analysis, drawing comparisons with the beginnings of the environmental movement more than fifty years ago, when it was realised that the natural world was part of a fragile interconnected ecosystem that must be carefully maintained. Similarly, the balance afforded by copyright between rights of protection and access must be nurtured to safeguard the original purpose of copyright, which is to encourage learning.

Members of the international consortium, Electronic Information for Libraries (eiFL.net) are a natural ally in the A2K movement. With millions of users in over 2,000 libraries in 50 developing and transition countries, they know only too well the value of providing access to critical educational and training materials for the scholars and researchers, doctors and lawyers, students and teachers in their countries.

They recognise that ICTs offer libraries wonderful new ways of providing access to global resources and opportunities to develop new services. They see at first hand how the digital environment has the potential to transform access and use, especially for those disadvantaged by distance or economic circumstance.

Libraries in developing and transition countries are working hard to ensure that learning content is made available to the widest possible base as part of their focus in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and in contributing to the social and economic development of their countries.

Librarians support a vibrant public domain, fair and balanced copyright laws that take into account the stage of development of a country, transparency and participation in decision-making and openness to new models, such as open access and open source software.

“Access to Knowledge” means many things to many people. First, we asked librarians how to say “Access to Knowledge” in their own language. The variety of responses shows a rich diversity of language and culture, with the common purpose of making access to knowledge a reality for library users in developing and transition countries.

We hope you watching enjoy the video!



August 2008