Readers of this blog don’t need to be told that copyright is a cornerstone of library practice—shaping what we can do with the materials we acquire, whether through purchase or licence. Yet, despite its importance, copyright often takes a back seat in libraries to more visible concerns like funding or staffing. A new report from the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), Library Associations and Copyright, aims to change that by offering a global overview of how library associations are engaging with copyright—and how they can do more.
The report is both a call to action and a practical guide. It draws on 40 responses from library associations and related bodies across all world regions, exploring their capacity, priorities, and activities around copyright. It’s designed to help associations reflect on their current engagement and find inspiration from peers globally.
The report complements tools like the Copyright Advocacy Capacities Grid from Knowledge Rights 21, and is intended as a living document—open to updates as more associations share their experiences.
One of the most striking findings is that licensing practices—particularly those that restrict what libraries can do with digital content—are the top concern globally. This was followed by open access and science, and basic copyright laws. Other issues like data privacy, enforcement, and AI were also mentioned, though less frequently.
Interestingly, association size plays a role in the breadth of engagement. Larger associations (with 10+ staff) are more likely to have dedicated copyright committees or staff, and to engage across a wider range of issues. However, smaller and even volunteer-run associations are also active—often through informal networks or by mobilising volunteers.
The report structures its analysis around six key areas of copyright engagement:
1. Monitoring: Keeping track of legal and policy developments is foundational. Larger associations and those in North America and Asia-Oceania are most active here. Some have built strong relationships with government, gaining early access to policy discussions.
2. Problem Solving: Many associations offer ad hoc support to members facing copyright challenges. This is often done through volunteers, mailing lists, or informal networks. Examples include the UK’s LIS-COPYSEEK and the US’s Liblicense.
3. Guidelines: Proactive development of copyright guidance—such as LibGuides or codes of practice—is common, especially among larger associations. Academic librarians are the most frequent target audience, though general guidance is also widespread.
4. Training: While less common than other activities, training is still a key area. Larger associations often provide in-house training, while others rely on external experts. Topics range from copyright basics to licensing, lending, and open access. We were delighted to see our website and training highlighted in the report alongside important initiatives such as Copyright X and the Copyright First Responders in the US.
5. Advocacy: This is where associations aim to influence laws and policies. Larger associations are again most active, but smaller ones also play a role. Advocacy topics include copyright and research, education, lending, and preservation. Many associations have developed position papers and statements to support their efforts.
6. Partnering: Collaboration is essential—both with allies (e.g. GLAM institutions, Creative Commons, Wikimedia) and with stakeholders who may have opposing views (e.g. publishers, collecting societies). These partnerships can lead to shared understanding and even joint advocacy.
The report includes a rich set of case studies from around the world. Highlights include:
– Australia: The Australian Libraries and Archives Copyright Coalition (ALACC) brings together multiple library and archive bodies to coordinate advocacy, training, and monitoring.
– Canada: The Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) has a dedicated copyright community of practice and a visiting programme officer.
– Spain: The Spanish Federation of Archive, Library, Information, Documentation and Museum Associations (FESABID)’s long-standing committee on intellectual property engages in research, advocacy, and education.
– South Africa: The Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA) works through volunteers and collaborates with the Recreate coalition on copyright reform.
– UK: CILIP supports copyright literacy through its Information Literacy Group and external training providers, while the Library and Archives Copyright Alliance (LACA) leads on advocacy.
The report’s conclusion is clear: you don’t need to be big to make a difference. Even small or volunteer-run associations can engage meaningfully with copyright, especially by building networks and collaborating with others. Formal structures help, but informal cooperation can be just as effective.
There’s also a strong case for cross-sectoral collaboration. In many countries, library associations work alongside archives, museums, and other stakeholders to amplify their voice and share the workload.
We also noted a reference in the report to our work with Amanda Wakaruk on copyright anxiety and its impact on behaviours. We are in the process of communicating our findings from this research project and it’s helpful to see discussion of copyright anxiety in the context of what library associations are doing or might plan to do.
This report is a valuable resource for any library association—or individual librarian—looking to strengthen their engagement with copyright. It shows that while challenges remain, there is a wealth of experience and creativity to draw on. Whether through monitoring, training, advocacy, or partnerships, there are many ways to get involved.
As the report itself notes, this is just the beginning. IFLA welcomes further contributions, and there’s plenty of scope to build on this work. They also point out that if your library association isn’t yet active in copyright, now is the time to start.
Copyright Literacy 