Recent CLA Statements and Advocacy Tools

Updated: March 31, 2013

Looking for statements from the Canadian Library Association about current issues affecting the library community and its clients?

Access Copyright

• CLA Statement on Licenses with Access Copyright in Post-Secondary Institutions (June 2012)

Access to Information

• Submission to the Information Commissioner’s consultation on the Access to Information Act (January 2013)

Community Access Program

• Canadian Library Association Dismayed at Cancellation of Community Access Program (April 2012)
• CLA releases CAP Toolkit (May 2012)
• CLA’s letter to Industry Minister regarding cut to CAP (April 2012)

Copyright

• Canadian Library Association Releases Proposed Technical Amendments to Bill C-11 (February 2012)
• Urgent Call to Action on Bill C-11, An Act to Amend the Copyright Act (February 2012)
• National Library Association Acknowledges Passing of the Copyright Modernization Act (June 2012)
• IFLA-EIFL-CLA Statement on Copyright Limitations and Exceptions for Libraries and Archives at SCCR 25 (November 2012)

Federal Budget 2013 Consultations

• Pre-Budget Consultation 2012 – Submission by the Canadian Library Association (August 2012)

Government Libraries

• 2012 Federal Budget highlights (March 2012)
• CLA dismayed by impact of budget cuts on federal libraries (May 2012)
• CLA Toolkit: Budget Cuts to Federal Libraries
• CLA Member Advocacy Survey on the Impact of Federal Budget Cuts to Canada’s Libraries: Final Report (December 2012)

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

• Position Statement on Access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) (June 2012)

Intellectual Freedom and Freedom of Expression

• Challenges to Materials and Policies in Canadian Libraries 2011 (July 2012)
• CLA Supports Dale Askey in Libel Suit Defence (February 2013)
• CLA continues its support for Dale Askey (March 2013)

Library and Archives Canada

• 2012 Federal Budget highlights (March 2012)
• CLA dismayed by impact of budget cuts on federal libraries (May 2012)
• CLA’s letter to Heritage Minister regarding cuts to federal libraries and LAC (May 2012)
• CLA continues dialogue with LAC (June 2012)
• CLA Member Advocacy Survey on the Impact of Federal Budget Cuts to Canada’s Libraries: Final Report (December 2012)
• Determining the impact of the 2012 federal budget cuts on LAC : Questions to LAC (January 2013)
• CLA Responds to Article on Library and Archives Canada (LAC) in Toronto Star (March 2013)
• CLA Statement on the Library and Archives Canada Code of Conduct (March 2013)

Print Disabilities

• National Network for Equitable Library Service for Canadians with print disabilities (NNELS) (June 2012)

School Libraries

• Canadian Library Association Disturbed by Cuts to School Libraries (April 2012)

Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA)

• IFLA and other library organisations express concern about the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA) (July 2012)

Weekly Links Roundup

• Apps disrupt sleepy science, medical, research and business-to-business publishing- The Globe and Mail

• Designing a balanced reading diet: Allocate time to read both for fun and for professional development – The Globe and Mail

• The Future of Big Data – Pew Internet

• IFLA Statement on Visually Impaired and Print Disabled Persons – IFLA

• Literary labours lent: The uncertain economics of lending virtual books – The Economist

• Magic Mike’s Guide to Seducing Your Audience (and Leave Them Panting for More) – Copyblogger

• OCUL joins Public Knowledge Project as Major Development Partner in Open Access Scholarly Publishing – OCUL

• Required Summer Reading – Incidental Comics

• Social Justice & Library Service in First Nation Communities [PDF] – SOLS

• A south-of-the-border view of Canadian copyright developments – Duke University

• Tiny library, big celebration: Ontario’s tiniest full-service library marks its 100th anniversary Saturday – London Free Press

• Trend Spotting or Why I Hired a Competitive Intelligence Librarian – Slaw.ca

• Why Wal-Marts become libraries (and courts and civic centres) – CBC

 

News Release: National Library Association Acknowledges Passing of the Copyright Modernization Act

Bill C-11 Contains Positive Elements but Digital Lock Amendments Still Needed

(Ottawa, 29 June 2012) While critical amendments are still needed, the Canadian Library Association (CLA) is pleased to see that the government has finally passed its long-awaited update to the Copyright Act, Bill C-11. The bill received Royal Assent today.

CLA is disappointed that the digital locks provisions have remained unchanged; however, there are some positive elements to acknowledge in the new legislation, including fair dealing provisions for education, parody and satire, and improved user rights for people with perceptual disabilities.

“Copyright is a very complex issue, and we note the government’s attempts to attain a balance between all of the competing interests,” noted Victoria Owen, Chair of the CLA Copyright Advisory Committee. “The role of libraries is to facilitate the flow of information essential for access to research, ideas and innovation. Libraries meet societal needs the market cannot meet.”

CLA believes that the government has missed an opportunity to introduce a truly balanced and nuanced information policy. The digital locks provision compromises the public interest by allowing content providers, not Parliament, to determine Canadian statutory rights. CLA will continue to press for amendments, particularly to allow circumvention of technical protection measures for non-infringing purposes.

A new provision in the Copyright Act stipulates that the Act will be reviewed every five years by a committee of Parliament.

“The CLA Copyright Advisory Committee is to be commended for its vigorous and unwavering efforts to provide input to the federal government on this legislation, and to keep the library community apprised of its potential impacts on access to information,” stated CLA President Karen Adams. “This legislation has been many years in the making, and our Copyright Committee has been engaged at every stage to try to influence the best possible outcome for Canadian library users. Our community should be pleased with the results of these efforts.”

CLA extends thanks to the dozens of Members of Parliament who have met with library representatives in Ottawa and in their ridings to discuss Bill C-11.

CLA will continue to work with libraries across the country to provide guidance on the implementation of the new legislation, and to track specific aspects of the provisions in C-11 to determine their impact.

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The Canadian Library Association is Canada’s largest national library association, representing the interests of approximately 57,000 library staff in libraries of all kinds, as well as all those concerned with enhancing the quality of life for Canadians through access to knowledge, literacy and lifelong learning.

For further information, please contact Kelly Moore, CLA Executive Director, at 613-232-9625 or kmoore@cla.ca.

CLA Statement on Licenses with Access Copyright in Post-Secondary Institutions

The Canadian Library Association (CLA) has issued a Statement on Licenses with Access Copyright in Post-Secondary Institutions.

The statement highlights issues for consideration by institutions in determining whether they will sign a license.  CLA urges administrators of post-secondary institutions to involve their academic librarians in exploring alternatives, and to develop strategies that reduce their reliance on blanket licensing.

For more information, please contact:

Kelly Moore
Executive Director
Canadian Library Association

News Release: Copyright, Library Book Rate and Community Access Program among Top Priorities for National Library Association

CLA Hosts National Conference and Trade Show in Nation’s Capital

OTTAWA, May 30, 2012 /CNW/ – The Canadian Library Association (CLA) is proud to be hosting its 67^th National Conference and Trade Show in Ottawa this year at the brand new Convention Centre. The conference will provide a host of activities and special events for members of the library community. These include professional development sessions, networking opportunities, social media engagement, and delegate receptions, among others.

“We are very excited to host members of the library community from across the country in the nation’s capital,” said Karen Adams, CLA President. ”The conference will provide an opportunity to learn, share and drive the library and information community forward. Being in Ottawa this year means we can really put national advocacy into practice and meet with key parliamentarians to discuss issues that are critical for the Canadian library community.”

This afternoon, delegates will be meeting with Members of Parliament, Senators and key political staff to highlight the important role that libraries play in the lives of all Canadians. This evening CLA will also be hosting parliamentarians at its Opening Reception.

There are three critical issues that are currently impacting the library community. First, CLA continues to embrace copyright legislation as one of its key priorities, as Canadian libraries play a vital role in providing Canadians access to all forms of material. CLA continues to urge the federal government to implement a made-in-Canada copyright solution to ensure that the legislation ultimately succeeds in its objectives of being both balanced and technologically neutral.

Second, over one million Canadians are currently benefitting from the Library Book Rate, a Canada Post service that has, since 1939, provided a reduced rate for mailing library books between libraries and from libraries to their users. Members of the library community in all constituencies continue to be concerned about its sustainability, given that it is not currently financially supported by the federal government. CLA is urging the Government of Canada to support Bill C-321, a Private member’s Bill introduced by M.P. Merv Tweed (Brandon—Souris, Manitoba), which would protect the Library Book Rate.

Lastly, CLA believes that all Canadians, regardless of economic status or location, require the ability to access information and services through broadband connection to the Internet, along with access to the assistance they need to become digitally literate. For many Canadians, especially those in remote and rural locations, this access has been provided since 1994 by the Community Access Program (CAP) funded by Industry Canada. The entire library community is extremely concerned that funding for CAP has been cancelled, as announced on April 5^th, 2012. With only 79% of Canadian households having an Internet connection, and 54% of households in the lowest income quartile, it is clear that community-based Internet access is essential to supplement home access.

“We are very much looking forward to meeting with key decision makers today,” said Kelly Moore, CLA Executive Director. ”As Canada’s largest national library association, one of our key roles is to be an advocate for libraries and library issues with the federal government, and we hope to engage in some very meaningful discussions surrounding these critical issues.”

The CLA Conference runs from May 30^th to June 2^nd at the Ottawa Convention Centre.  The official kick-off begins this evening at the Opening Reception, taking place at 6:00 pm in the Canada Hall. For more information, please visit http://www.cla.ca/conference/2012/.

World Book and Copyright Day

Find the world’s wealth and wisdom through books

To promote books, reading, and the stimulation of creativity through copyright – this is why we celebrate World Book and Copyright Day today and every year on 23 April. In her video message, IFLA President Ingrid Parent addressed the importance of books as irreplaceable sources of knowledge, ideas and innovation. “In books we find the wealth and wisdom of the world”, Parent said. Parent also remembered all people who cannot read, “be it through illiteracy, through censorship or through language barriers. When people have no access to books and information, they are excluded from the world’s wealth and wisdom.”

Being the primary cultural and scientific institutions for providing information as a public good, libraries play a crucial role to build bridges to books and information by helping people to learn new skills, to discover history and culture or to access remote research findings.

IFLA and its members in more than 150 countries worldwide believe that people, communities and organisations need universal and equitable access to information, ideas and works of imagination for their social, educational, cultural, democratic and economic well-being.

23 April is a symbolic date for world literature, since 23 April 1616 was the date of death of Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare. Initiated in 1995 by UNESCO, this date pays a worldwide tribute to books and their authors, and encourages everyone to discover the pleasure of reading and to gain a renewed respect for the extraordinary contributions of those who have furthered the social and cultural progress of humanity.

The year 2012 also marks the 80th anniversary of the Index Translationum. This international bibliography of translation provides a unique tool for the monitoring of translation flows in the world. Originally created in 1932, it is the oldest program of UNESCO.

Urgent Call to Action on Bill C-11, An Act to Amend the Copyright Act

Dear CLA Member,

As you know, copyright legislation remains a key concern for the library community. Bill C-11 recently passed second reading and has now moved to the committee stage for further scrutiny. The Legislative Committee on Bill C-11 has implemented a fast-track plan to finalize the bill. It is projected that the clause-by-clause review of the bill will conclude by the end of March.

We must act now to make our voices heard!

CLA continues to communicate member concerns to government through a coordinated national-level advocacy approach. However, politicians still respond best to strong, local pressure.

MPs will be in their ridings from February 20-24 and this is the prime opportunity to meet with your local MP and help get CLA’s copyright message across.  So contact your MP, ask for a meeting – in person or by phone – and share our message on copyright legislation.

We have prepared key tools and messaging to help guide you through these meetings:

To view CLA’s copyright grassroots advocacy kit, please click HERE.

To view CLA’s Proposed Technical Amendments to Bill C-11, please click HERE.

To find your local MP, please visit: http://www2.parl.gc.ca/parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?PostalCode=A1A1A1&Submit=Find&Language=E

If you have a meeting with your MP, please send a summary to:

Kelly Moore
CLA Executive Director
kmoore@cla.ca

Thanks for being an advocate for Canada’s libraries!

News Release: Canadian Library Association Releases Proposed Technical Amendments to Bill C-11

Legislation which does not include the right to bypass digital locks for non-infringing purposes is fundamentally flawed

(Ottawa, February 16, 2012) – The Canadian Library Association (CLA) is releasing its proposed technical amendments to Bill C-11, An Act to Amend the Copyright Act. The bill recently passed at second reading and will now receive further scrutiny by the Legislative Committee on Bill C-11.

Librarians across the country continue to hear that copyright laws must reflect the public interest. Over 21 million library users are seriously concerned about the shape of Canadian copyright legislation.

“CLA applauds significant improvements to Canada’s copyright regime contained in the bill,” said Karen Adams, CLA President. “However, changes are required to ensure the legislation ultimately succeeds in its objectives of being both balanced and technologically neutral. Our overriding concern remains the unnecessarily proscriptive protections for digital locks, which dramatically limit the additions and reduce the impact of the exceptions to fair dealing.”

As Bill C-11 moves into this critical round of debate around the Committee table, CLA proposes that technical amendments be made in the following sections:

1. Section 30.1 (1) – the proposed amendment would clarify that multiple alternative formats of materials can be made by libraries, archives and museums for preservation purposes.
2. Section 32.01 – the proposed amendment would permit the cross border movement of an alternative format “without the authorization of the rightholder” and with no requirement for royalty payment or reporting to “an authority”.
3. Section 41 – the proposed amendment to the definition of “circumvent” will ensure Canadians’ ability to invoke their full rights as information users by allowing them to bypass digital locks for non-infringing purposes.

“Legislation which does not include the right to bypass digital locks for non-infringing purposes is fundamentally flawed,” said Adams. “If digital locks trump access for legitimate purposes, Canada’s libraries will have difficulty in fulfilling their mandates and Canadians will lose access to some information that is currently available.”

Canadian libraries are the public interest. They play a vital role in providing Canadians access to all forms of material. This access to information is integral to ensuring that Canadians are regular contributors to the economic, social and cultural well-being of their communities.

CLA has shared these proposed amendments with the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, as well as all members of the Legislative Committee on Bill C-11.

“CLA appreciates the consideration of the Legislative Committee members and all Members of Parliament of these proposed technical amendments,” concluded Adams. “We remain committed to working together with government to develop fair and balanced copyright legislation that is in the public interest.”

To access the full document, CLA Proposed Technical Amendments to Bill C-11, please visit: http://www.cla.ca/Content/NavigationMenu/Resources/Copyright/Bill_C-11_technical_amendments_feb12final.pdf.

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The Canadian Library Association/Association canadienne des bibliothèques (CLA) is Canada’s largest national and broad-based library association, representing the interests of public, academic, school and special libraries, individuals who work in libraries, and all those concerned about enhancing the quality of life of Canadians through information and literacy.

For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Alana Fontaine
Tel.: (613) 233-8906
Cell: (613) 299-4017
cla@impactcanada.com

The Hill Times: Media and Copyright Policy Briefing

This week’s The Hill Times includes a series of articles about the media and copyright:

• Industry minister looks to future of Canada’s economy
  by Hill Times staff

• Getting it backwards: the problem with Conservative government’s copyright reform
  by NDP MP Charlie Angus

• Canadians get more than money’s worth with CBC
  by Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette

• Privacy commissioner Stoddart releases new guidelines for online advertising
  by BeaVongdouangchanh

• Crafting copyright policy to create a Canadian competitive advantage
  by Michael Geist

• Industry minister touts Copyright Modernization Act as ‘key pillar’ of government’s digital economy strategy
  by Chris Plecash

• Facing looming cuts, CBC remains focused on five-year plan
  by Chris Plecash

• Fact, fiction, and falsehoods about the ‘F’ word in copyright law
  by Howard Knopf

• Digital lock provisions of Bill C-11 go far beyond WIPO standards
  by Liberal MPs Geoff Regan and Scott Simms

• Ongoing dispute between publishers and universities highlights challenges of publishing in digital era
  by Chris Plecash

• Canada’s digital economy strategy looks to tap into growing digital media industry

  by Chris Plecash

The complete Policy Briefing can be downloaded from The Hill Times website.

CLA Advocacy Call to Action

Time to make good on that new year’s resolution to spend more time with your Member of Parliament!  MPs are still on Christmas break, and will be in their ridings for the rest of this month.  So this is your chance to set up a meeting and discuss some key issues for libraries.

There are two bills currently in progress through the House of Commons:  C-11 on Copyright and C-321 on Library Book Rate.  Both of these will be debated further in parliament in February.

CLA has prepared updated toolkits on both of these issues to help you have a productive meeting with your MP.

• Copyright Advocacy Toolkit
• Library Book Rate Advocacy Toolkit

If you have a meeting, let us know!  Send an email to me with feedback on your conversation.  This will help us to prepare for follow-ups when the MPs get back to Ottawa.

Thanks for being an advocate for Canada’s libraries.

 

Kelly Moore
Executive Director
Canadian Library Association