A Boost for Digital Access in Libraries: The Importance of Training on e-Books

A Boost for Digital Access in Libraries: The Importance of Training on e-Books Spanish version available here Guest blog by Ana Ordás Ensuring equitable access to digital information remains one of the main challenges for libraries. To support progress in this area, the Spanish Federation of Archives, Libraries, Documentation and Museum Associations ( FESABID ), acting as the focal point for the European programme Knowledge Rights 21 (KR21) in Spain, ran the course Libraries and E-books between March and May 2025. This training was based on the report Libraries and e-Books: Promoting Rights of Access to Information, Culture and Knowledge (2024) (in Spanish) and was designed to address the gaps identified in legal frameworks, acquisition models and digital skills. “There is a clear need to improve the training and professional skills of library staff in areas related to the management, production and dissemination of e-books.” A Hybrid Format Focused on Practice The 25-hour course combined online learning (15h) with a 10-hour in-person laboratory using the Library Labs (LABBBS) methodology, grounded in collaborative work and prototyping. The pedagogical design relied on video interviews with specialists, short tasks for each module and the development of a final proposal. Across five thematic modules, the course offered a comprehensive overview of e-Books in the library context. It began with an introduction to the main challenges and business models surrounding digital books, covering formats, reading devices and their impact on the book value chain. It then delved into legal aspects, addressing the Spanish Copyright Law, the exceptions and limitations that apply to libraries, and the implications of Controlled Digital Lending . Subsequent modules focused on collections and services: the coexistence of print and electronic resources; collection development policies; open access; digital legal deposit and preservation; and services for accessing digital content, ranging from digital libraries and repositories to lending platforms and document delivery. The final module explored opportunities for digitisation and digital content production within libraries, including accessible formats, interactive books, collaborative projects and support services for content creation. Key Challenges Identified The participants reflected the diversity of library types. Collectively, they highlighted several shared challenges: A complex legal framework: uncertainty around copyright, acquisition, and the dissemination of e-Books continues to hinder digital service development. A gap between services and users: public libraries reported that the national e-Lending service (eBiblio) had low visibility as well as usability issues, including compatibility limitations with certain devices. A mature university context: there is a strong shift towards electronic resources in academic libraries, although platform fragmentation and the complexity of licensing models persist. A need for digital literacy: both for professionals and for library users. From Theory to Action: The Laboratory During the in-person laboratory, participants developed real projects based on their final proposals. These focused, in particular, on: Improving accessibility and digitisation for learners with specific needs, aligned with the Marrakesh Treaty. Positioning the library as a central hub for local institutional digital heritage by unifying and making accessible existing digital resources. Interviews and Collaboration With Specialists The...

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