This session ponders what ‘forever’ access to licensed resources means, both as intellectual property and technological access. New initiatives such as Controlled Digital Lending (CDL) and Occam’s reader are potential tools that work for the public good. While new initiatives can be exciting, the promise of perpetual access can be difficult to fulfill. Specific examples of how libraries and publishers have met, or failed to meet, license terms regarding perpetual access will be presented. How to best provide perpetual access to items outside of license agreements, such as Open Access journals and OER will also be broached. We will examine how practical, economic, and culturally responsive library initiatives fit within the constraints and opportunities allowed under licensing, copyright, and staffing levels. Participants will be invited to consider whether perpetual access is a goal that is necessary, merely encouraged, or something else entirely.
Slides (Slideshare)
Recording (YouTube)
Discussion Forum
